In Conversation with Dr Rendani Manentje, Medical Scientist,and Author
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Diabetes is a chronic condition in which blood glucose levels become too high because the body either does not produce enough insulin, does not use insulin effectively, or both. If diabetes is not properly managed, prolonged high blood glucose can damage blood vessels and organs, increasing the risk of complications affecting the heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves and feet.
South Africa faces a significant diabetes burden, with many people living with the condition without knowing they have it. This makes awareness, early detection and prevention particularly important.
Dr Rendani I. Manenzhe's book, Diabetes – The Load Shedding of Our Health: The Book Every Family Needs to Prevent a Diabetes Blackout, uses the familiar South African experience of load shedding as an analogy for understanding how diabetes can disrupt the body's normal functioning. The book focuses on education, recognising warning signs, understanding risk factors, screening, lifestyle choices and preventing complications.
Why Should Young People Care About Diabetes?
Diabetes is often perceived as a condition that primarily affects older adults. However, young people can also develop diabetes, and risk can be influenced by factors including family history, body weight, physical inactivity, dietary patterns and other health factors.
For young people, understanding diabetes early is important because prevention and healthy habits can begin long before someone develops the condition.
South Africa faces a significant diabetes burden, with many people living with the condition without knowing they have it. This makes awareness, early detection and prevention particularly important.
Dr Rendani I. Manenzhe's book, Diabetes – The Load Shedding of Our Health: The Book Every Family Needs to Prevent a Diabetes Blackout, uses the familiar South African experience of load shedding as an analogy for understanding how diabetes can disrupt the body's normal functioning. The book focuses on education, recognising warning signs, understanding risk factors, screening, lifestyle choices and preventing complications.
Why Should Young People Care About Diabetes?
Diabetes is often perceived as a condition that primarily affects older adults. However, young people can also develop diabetes, and risk can be influenced by factors including family history, body weight, physical inactivity, dietary patterns and other health factors.
For young people, understanding diabetes early is important because prevention and healthy habits can begin long before someone develops the condition.
