On March 14, beloved Oakland musician, Robert Ball, died due to severe complications of diabetes. He was only 49 years old.

A popular bass guitarist, Ball performed with D’wayne Wiggins, Zulu Spear, Josh Jones Latin Ensemble and others. However, his lifestyle kept his body on the brink of, or in, full-blown crisis.

On his 39th birthday, Ball’s right leg was amputated at the knee. Soon after, he developed kidney disease and then, blindness. Rob would have celebrated his 50 birthday on June 13.
 
Ball’s story about the ravages of diabetes is common story in the African American community. However, it doesn’t have to be.

Hitting close to home

Diabetes is wreaking havoc on the African American community – not only in Alameda County, but also throughout the United States.

I recently sat down with Dr. Noha Aboelata, co-founder and CEO of Roots Community Health Center, to discuss what steps need to be taken to insure the health of diabetics in this community.

According to Aboelata, a diagnosis of diabetes is received much like a death sentence among African and Native Americans, who are much more prone to suffer the complications of the disease than other races. One reason for this, Aboelata said, is that they tend to surrender to the disease, see it as a genetic disorder over which they have no control. She said it alarms her that so many of her patients have seen the ravages of diabetes on family members or friends and still remain noncompliant in their own self-care.

While some of her patients take their medications, Aboelata said they don’t make the necessary lifestyle changes to prevent complications. Part of the reason is that some patients are addicted to poor eating habits, lack motivation or are slow to change. Some older patients fear exercise due to painful arthritis, though exercise could relieve their pain.

“When I visit a patient’s home, I ask to look in their food cabinets. It’s important to know what they’re putting in their bodies.” Aboelata said. “I let them know they can lose eyesight, a leg or foot or be on kidney dialysis for the rest of their lives. It’s a difficult conversation for many of them, but I’d rather them be uncomfortable than return to me in a few years and say, ‘Doc, why didn’t you tell me this could happen (to me)?’”

Teaching her patients how to read food labels and to recognize detrimental ingredients like high fructose and corn syrup is all part of her patient education. Aboelata even suggests healthy alternatives for her patients.
 
The doctor warns her patients that there are a slew of complications that result from noncompliance to proper treatment. Fluctuations in the blood sugar levels are not healthy for the body because they cause endorphins damage.

A huge player in nutritional disparities present for many in African-American communities is the near absence of fresh food and produce. Aboelata said it is sometimes easier for those folks to fix prepared (processed) foods than to cook. There are patients with impaired mobility who may not have the transportation necessary to travel to a grocery store. While there is no shortage of liquor stores in many parts of Oakland, there is certainly a shortage of grocery stores – especially in West Oakland.

Despite her work to educate people, Aboelata is only one person. Aggressive and severe complications remain more common in African-American, Native-American and Latino communities where there is often more kidney failure, blindness and amputations.

“With Whites and Asians, it’s not that difficult to control,” Aboelata said, her voice fades with reflection.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is an endocrine disorder, a non-infectious disease that has reached epidemic proportions in the United States with 1 out of 4 Americans suffer from this disease. The National Diabetes Clearing House lists a whopping 8 percent of the population or roughly, 25.8 million Americans, with the disease. While 18.8 million have been diagnosed, seven million have not. These statistics skyrocket when applied to the African American community.

Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Arthur Ashe, Halle Berry, Winnie Mandela are among the long list of public personalities who have diabetes in common. Diabetes is not a disease that is concerned with the range of your pocketbook, education or personality.

There are 2 main categories of diabetes, diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus. Diabetes mellitus Type 2 was called “sugar diabetes” due to the sweet quality observed in by the 17th century doctors who tasted the urine of the patients they suspected had the disease. Diabetes mellitus is divided into two types, Type 1 and Type 2.

Type 1 diabetes, formerly juvenile diabetes, is now referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes. It is considered an autoimmune system disorder because the body destroys the beta cells of the pancreas that would normally allow it to produce insulin. Due to its severity, those with this type of diabetes are dependent on insulin for life. Some research suggests that a deficiency of Vitamin D may be a causal factor in development of the disease.

Type 2 diabetes, formerly adult-onset diabetes, is characterized as non-insulin dependent diabetes. The body produces insulin, but the sugar cannot be converted into energy, which causes chronically elevated blood sugar. The average age for this disease now includes the very young. Obesity is the number one reason. Weight loss of 10 pounds can remarkably reduce the symptoms.

“Diabetes in African Americans,” a publication by the National Institute of Health, reveals that 730,000 African Americans have the disease but do not know it. For every six white Americans with the disease, there are 10 African Americans with it – a statistic that for African Americans with diabetes has quadrupled since 1968.

Take action

How can Oakland’s African Americans minimize the overwhelming affect diabetes is having on their community? The first and foremost step is education.

Most people with diabetes have multiple diagnoses. They usually have high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol readings (hyperlipidemia), carry a lot of weight in their middle or are obese and are physically inactive. Even if you have not been diagnosed, you may have Type 2 diabetes. Remember, there are many who have the disorder, but are not diagnosed.

Some of the symptoms of diabetes include:

• Excessive thirst
• Nausea with possible vomiting
• Slow healing of wounds
• Tingling or numbness in hands and/or feet
• Unusual weight gain or loss
• Extreme hunger, even after eating
• Blurry vision
• Extreme, unexplained fatigue
• Frequency of skin, gum, bladder or vaginal infections
• Irritability

If you have one or more of the symptoms above, make an appointment with your doctor or health care provider to discuss further.


R. Dafina Kuficha is a licensed acupuncturist in private practice. She also is member of the African American Health Equity Council. Visit her blog at treasureyourhealth.wordpress.com.