Dr S. A. Adjetey of the 37th Military Hospital has urged Ghanaians to keep track of their hypertension and diabetes status regularly. He also stressed the need to check their eyes periodically. Speaking at the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Ghana Mines Workers Union (GMWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in Accra, Dr Adjetey said hypertension is a deceitful and silent killer which is often not accompanied by any symptom. He noted that both diabetes and hypertension are not curable but controllable. According to him, people with diabetes have high blood sugar levels because their pancreas does not make enough insulin. Dr Adjetey indicated that when glucose in the blood cannot move into cells, it stays in the blood and causes glucose to accumulate in the blood and this does not only harm the cells that need the glucose for fuel, but also harms certain organs and tissues exposed to the high glucose levels. He noted symptoms of diabetes to include excessive thirst, frequent urination, adding that urination may be profuse even though the person does not consume many fluids throughout the day, hunger, fatigue, weight loss despite good appetite and some times boils. Other symptoms, he indicated, are frequent or recurrent or prolonged infections, blurry vision, tingling or numbness in the hands or feet, poor wound healing and impotence in men. Dr Adjetey said contrary to some popular myth that there is 'diabetes diet', having the ailment does not mean "you have to eat only bland and boring foods". Instead, he said, "it means you'll eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains foods that are high in nutrition and low in fat and calories and fewer animal products and sweets". Source: GNA