Poor Nutrition Can Cause Disease 175
Treatment:
If you have diabetes, you should be treated by a health
worker whenever possible. You may be able to control
diabetes by watching your diet:
• Eat smaller meals more often. This helps keep the same
amount of sugar in the blood.
• Avoid eating a lot of sweet foods.
• If you are overweight, try to lose weight.
• Avoid foods high in fat (for example, butter, ghee, lard, and
oils), unless you have trouble getting enough food to eat.
If possible, you should also see a health worker regularly to
make sure your illness is not getting worse.
To prevent infection and injury to the skin, clean your teeth
after eating, keep your skin clean, and always wear shoes to
prevent foot injuries. Check
your feet and hands once
a day to see if you have
any sores. If you have a
sore and there are any
signs of infection (redness,
swelling, or heat), see a
health worker.
Check your feet
once a day to see if
you have any sores
or signs of infection.
➤ There may be
plants in your area
that are helpful for
diabetes. Check with
a health worker.
Whenever possible, rest with your feet up. This is
especially important if your feet get darker in color and
become numb. These signs mean that the blood flow to
and from your feet is poor.
Other health problems that can be caused or made worse by poor nutrition:
• high blood pressure (see page 130)
• weak bones (see page 133)
• constipation (see page 70)
• stomach ulcers, acid indigestion,
and heartburn
For more information on stomach ulcers, indigestion, and heartburn, see Where
There Is No Doctor or another general medical book.
Where Women Have No Doctor 2012