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 Health & Beauty | November 2006 
Misconceptions Fuel Mistreatment
 El Universal
| | Experts say that many Mexicans with diabetes lack reliable information. |
Patients´ misconceptions and their fear of going to a doctor and getting diagnosed are major obstacles to improving treatment of diabetes in Mexico, according to doctors specializing in the ailment.
Courtney Guthreau, head of a non-governmental organization called HOPE which works in 30 countries to improve health care, said patients´ reluctance to accept their disease, sometimes for years, has lead to fatalities.
"The problem with many diabetes sufferers in Mexico is they they think of their uncle or grandfather who had the disease and died from it," said Guthreau, before referring to a local patient. "What they don´t think about is Consuelo Rodríguez, who has been a diabetic for 16 years and leads a perfectly normal life."
Rafael Bravo, medical director for Novo Nordisk, a health care company specializing in diabetes treatment, expressed concern at the rising numbers of diabetics in Mexico and their lack of knowledge about effective treatment for the disease.
POOR INFORMATION
According to Health Secretariat figures, there were 6.5 million registered diabetics in 2005. Over 50 percent did not know how to treat themselves properly.
The Mexican Society for Nutrition and Endocrinology in Diabetes recognizes that more needs to be done in terms of educating patients as well doctors.
Patricia Pérez, a member of the group, says the best form of diabetes prevention is a sensible diet coupled with weekly exercise.
"Mexico is a paradise of many kinds of fruit and vegetables yet much of what we eat is made from synthetic fruit and sweeteners that increases obesity and the risk of becoming a diabetic," she said.
Gisela Ayala, who heads the Mexican Federation of Diabetes, said it can be a trying experience for a newly diagnosed diabetic sufferer when having to eat again. The uncertainty surrounding what foods are okay to consume can be stressful, she says.
"There´s a lot of doubts concerning diabetes and unfortunately a lot of sufferers don´t receive the right information nor in many cases do they get the right treatment," said Ayala.
Diabetes is a disease affecting the body´s metabolism, and treatment often requires shots of insulin. Failure to properly treat the ailment can result in cardiovascular diseases, digestive failure and nerve damage. |
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