South Africans with Diabetes

Let's get deep... Settle in for a fascinating conversation about diabetes.

We end the second season with a fascinating discussion - Dr. Sundeep Ruder, endocrinologist and philosopher, speaks to us about taking a broader view of diabetes. What could the condition possibly be offering us in terms of life lessons, and how do we ensure we learn them?

This is a fascinating conversation about philosophy, the meaning of life, how to manage diabetes and how to fulfil life goals. Turiya Endocrinology: Dr. Sundeep Ruder. · Vedanta Global: Wisdom for the World. · Sweet Life Diabetes Community. · Abbott FreeStyle Libre CGM · Connect with Sweet Life on LinkedIn · Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard · Follow Diabetic South Africans on Facebook · Twitter · Instagram

Let's take a deep breath and talk about it - this is a hard one.

We know that depression and anxiety are far more prevalent in people with diabetes, but does this extend to eating disorders too? We speak to intuitive eating counsellor Gayle Landau about her experiences with diabetes and eating disorders - why they are so common, how to spot the warning signs, and what to do to help someone with diabetes who is struggling with an eating disorder. We also hear from Elre Clarence, who is living with Type 1 and recovering from an eating disorder.

Diabetes may predispose us to disordered eating - food rules, diet culture and being on a restrictive diet can set us up for failure because it causes anxiety around eating. This is a thoughtful, kind conversation about how diabetes affects the way we feel about food. Intuitive Eating: creating a relationship between food, mind and body. · Weight neutral for diabetes care: weight-inclusive education and training. · Dr Michelle May: author of 'Eat What you Love, Love what you Eat'. · Abbott FreeStyle Libre CGM · Sweet Life Diabetic South Africans Website · Connect with Sweet Life on LinkedIn · Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard · Follow Diabetic South Africans on Facebook · Twitter · Instagram

Here's everything you need to know about heart health and diabetes.

There are a number of long-term complications of uncontrolled diabetes, among them heart disease. But is cardiovascular (heart) health something that everyone with diabetes needs to be aware of? We ask Dr. Zane Stevens to discuss diabetes and cardiovascular health, and suggest if there are any primary preventative measures to take.

I asked all the questions about heart health (in plain English) to one of South Africa's top diabetes experts - here are the answers. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for people with diabetes, but we aren't talking about it enough. Let's have the conversation: knowledge is power! 10 fast facts about heart disease. · What are diabetes complications? A helpful list of symptoms. · South Africans with Diabetes Facebook community. · Abbott FreeStyle Libre CGM · Sweet Life Diabetic South Africans Website · Connect with Sweet Life on LinkedIn · Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard · Follow Diabetic South Africans on Facebook · Twitter · Instagram

Let's have an awkward conversation about diabetes stigma... It's so real.

Type 2 diabetes carries a stigma in South Africa - particularly because it has been portrayed as a ‘lifestyle disease’. What is it like to be diagnosed with a condition that some people believe you gave yourself by eating the wrong food and not exercising enough? We speak to health coach Helga Nefdt about her Type 2 diagnosis and how she deals with diabetes stigma.

We also speak to Type 1 diabetes advocate Thapi Semenya about her journey with diabetes and stigma, and what we can do to change the situation.

We need to talk about diabetes stigma. Let's start the conversation! Is there a stigma around living with diabetes? Our community responds. · Understanding the stigma of diabetes for children. · Thapi Semenya: the girl with dialigo. · Abbott FreeStyle Libre CGM · Sweet Life Diabetic South Africans Website · Connect with Sweet Life on LinkedIn · Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard · Follow Diabetic South Africans on Facebook · Twitter · Instagram

We need to look at what the future looks like if we don't do anything.

With 85% of South Africans accessing healthcare in the public sector, half of all people with diabetes undiagnosed and 2 in 3 South Africans on track to develop diabetes (in the prediabetes range), we should all be talking about diabetes. Add in the fact that it’s the leading killer of women in SA, and it should be front page news! And yet, it isn’t. We speak to Shivani Ranchod, a health actuary with a deep commitment to South Africa’s health sector, about the future cost if diabetes is ignored.

There are big, underlying systemic features that drive diabetes that we're not actively engaging with. What does this mean, and what can we do about it? We spell it out in plain English, and figure out what we - as people with diabetes - should be doing to help the situation.

This is an unmissable episode if you care about diabetes in South Africa. South Africa's first Diabetes Charter · The diabetes situation in South Africa: all the basics you need to know. · SA Diabetes Advocacy: please join us if you're passionate about advocacy. · Abbott FreeStyle Libre CGM · Sweet Life Diabetic South Africans Website · Connect with Sweet Life on LinkedIn · Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard · Follow Diabetic South Africans on Facebook · Twitter · Instagram