Diabetes is a chronic medical condition characterized by high blood sugar levels, often resulting from the body’s inability to produce or use insulin effectively. There are different types of diabetes, including Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes, each with its own causes and management approaches. Proper diet, regular exercise, and medication are essential for controlling diabetes and preventing complications.
DIABETIC? We’ve got you covered!
Do you feel?
- fatigued,
- extra thirsty,
- hungry,
- blurry visions,
- delay in wound healing
- frequent urination
- loss of weight,
- Pain or numbness in feet or legs?
These symptoms are not to be ignored! If you do have any of these, it is important that you see a health care provider to have yourself checked for diabetes as early as possible.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is the silent killer which kills part by part of your life. According to WHO, about 422 million people worldwide have diabetes, the majority living in low-and middle-income countries, and 1.5 million deaths are directly attributed to diabetes each year.
Diabetes occurs when the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood becomes higher than normal, either due to defect in insulin secretion by the pancreas or its ineffective usage. There are two main types of diabetes, called type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Are you at risk of diabetes?
Your overall risk of developing diabetes increases due to
- obesity
- physical inactivity
- smoking
- unhealthy diet
- hypertension (high blood pressure)
- high cholesterol
- polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- prediabetes or blood sugar levels that are higher than normal, but not at diabetes levels
- a strong family history
- Specific ethnic backgrounds, such as south East Asians, African Americans etc.
Stop diabetes before it starts!
The starting point for living well with diabetes is an early diagnosis The longer a person lives with undiagnosed and untreated diabetes, the worse are the outcomes. A Fasting blood glucose level or hbA1c test will help you in diagnosis.
Can you manage it well?
The key to good diabetes management, whatever the type – is you!
The good news is that many people can manage and live well by adopting some basic cost effective lifestyle measures. Make healthy eating and physical activity part of your daily routine. Maintain a healthy weight, monitor your blood sugar, and follow your health care provider’s instructions for controlling your blood sugar level. Take your medications regularly as directed by your doctor.
Additionally, control of blood pressure and lipids to reduce complications and regular screening to assess the damage to the eyes, kidneys and feet for early intervention is also essential.
Diabetes particularly requires prevention as there is no magic wand that will cure it completely. Instilling accessible, easy and cost effective measures in primary health care settings will improve the overall outcome of diabetes in general.
So let’s take control of diabetes now!
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