1. Diabetes mellitus is a disease where a person hashigh levels of blood sugar over a long period of time. Diabetes occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin, a hormone that regulates ourblood sugar in the body.
2. Diabetes mellitus occurs mainly in two types, Type 1 occurring mainly in the young and type 2 occurring in adults.
3. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90% (9 out of 10) cases of all diabetes worldwide.

1. Diabetes is the leading cause of adult blindness, cuttingoff of people’s legs(amputation) and end stage kidney failure.
2. As of 2014, 422 million people had diabetes worldwide and diabetes caused 1.5 million deaths worldwide in 2012.
3. Of people with Diabetes, 80% live in low and middle-income countries like Uganda.
4. 8 in 10 of newly tested patients with high blood sugar were not aware that they had diabetes and had never checked before (Uganda National NCD survey,2014).

If u have any of the following signs and symptoms, please visit your doctor or health centre to have your blood sugar checked for Diabetes.

1. Excessive thirst (increased need to drink water)
2. Being hungry all the time even after eating food
3. Excessive/frequent urination
4. Sudden weight loss
5. Blurred vision/poor vision or blindness
6. Excessive tiredness and drowsiness
7. Slow healing of cuts and wounds

1. Overweight/obesity
2. Unhealthy diet with high fat and too much sugars
3. Low/No Physical activity
4. Cigarette smoking
5. Age
6. Family history of Diabetes

1. Damages body nerves causing burning, tingling, numbness, or loss of feeling in feet, legs and hands, dizziness).
2. Damages our Eyescausing blurred /poor vision, blindness.
3. Damage to the kidneys.
4. Diseases of the teeth like bleeding and swelling of gums, infection.
5. Heart attack.

1. Testing for high blood sugar frequently, each time you visit your Doctor.
2. Achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.
3. Be physically active, at least 30 minutes of regular moderate intensity activity.
4. Eat a healthy diet rich in vegetables and fruits, low in sugar and fats)
5. Avoid/stop tobacco use.