Diabetes and Medication

 Adherence Written by: Muhammad Arif Rahimi

Diabetes is a disease that needs to be controlled. To control it; It is important to take care of food and take regular medication and exercise as directed by the physician. However, if people with diabetes do not pay attention to their diet, they might face more health problems.

AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some people and a physician about this issue.

Mariam Hotak, a resident of Kabul city says, “My cousin had diabetes but did not take his medication on time. Suddenly his blood pressure rose, and he passed away."
Sayed Shah, a resident of Maidan-Wardak province says, “My wife has diabetes and does not take her medicines as recommended by the doctor. Her blood pressure rises, and the vision of her one eye is decreased.”

Doctor Zarghona Habeeb says, “If patients do not take their medication as recommended by their doctor, their diabetes may not be controlled. If it progresses, it may affect the heart, kidneys, brain and liver, and these organs may not function normally. The patient's ulcer may not be healed easily and may turn black over the time and the doctor may cut it, which might lead to the patient's death."

What do some people think about the causes of these problems?

Ilham, a resident of Kabul city says, “The doctor said that if someone doesn’t take his/her medicines on time, the amount of insulin decreases in blood and blood sugar increases.”
 
Nadia Wardak says, “If I do not take medicines according to the doctor’s recommendation, I suffer more.”

Doctor Zarghona says, “If we skip medications or if it is recommended three times a day and taken once a day. Or if we take more medicine than prescribed by our doctor, the amount of insulin may decrease or it may not be produced. In overweight people, insulin cannot do its job naturally and blood sugar levels rise, causing narrowing of the arteries and the progression of diabetes, and affecting other organs of the body.”

If diabetics do not take their medicines on time, what would happen?

Diwa Zumatai, a resident of Paktia province says, “My aunt has diabetes for years but we take care of her medication. We give her medicines as the doctor recommended. If she wants to go to our relative’s house, she takes some medicines. We call her if she takes her medicines.”

Tamim Shinwari, a resident of Nangarhar province says, “My grandmother has diabetes. We regularly take her to the doctor to control her diabetes. We give her medicines as the doctor prescribed. Her diabetes is under control.”

Doctor Habeeb says, “There are three important points to keep in mind: 1: Times; 2: amount; 3: Time and duration. If the blood sugar is too high, the doctor may increase the dose. If it is low, he/she might decrease it. So the diabetics should take their medicines as the doctor recommended.”