Diabetes: The sweet threat

CEBU, Philippines - Around the world, the incidence of diabetes is increasing. And these cases mostly result in physical disability and even death. Many of the diabetes cases involve people of working age, meaning people younger than 60 years, although a good portion of the cases involve older people.

The Philippines is one of the world’s emerging diabetes hotspots. Ranked in the top 15 in the world for diabetes prevalence, the country has more than four million diagnosed diabetics – and a worryingly large unknown number who are unaware they have diabetes. In 2010, some 360,000 deaths have been recorded from diabetes complications.

Diabetes, often referred to by medical professionals as diabetes mellitus, refers to a group of metabolic diseases where the person has high blood glucose (blood sugar). The high blood sugar is caused either by inadequate insulin production or because the body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin, or both. Patients with high blood sugar typically experience frequent urination, which causes them to be increasingly thirsty and hungry.

People can develop diabetes, regardless of age and gender. There are three main types of diabetes – Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, and Gestational Diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes, which is also called juvenile diabetes, develops most often in young people, although is can also develop in adults. In this type of diabetes, the body no longer produces enough insulin because the body’s immune system itself has attacked and destroyed the cells that make insulin. The immune system normally protects the body from infection by getting rid of bacteria, viruses, and other harmful substances.

Treatment for Type 1 Diabetes includes taking insulin shots or injections, sometimes taking medicines through the mouth, making healthy food choices, being physically active, controlling one’s blood pressure levels, and controlling one’s cholesterol levels.

Type 2 Diabetes, or adult-onset diabetes, can affect people at any age, even children. But this type of diabetes develops mostly in middle-aged and older people. People who are overweight and inactive are also more likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes.

This type of diabetes usually begins with insulin resistance – where fat, muscle, and liver cells do not use insulin to carry glucose into the body’s cells to use for energy. As a result, the body needs more insulin to help glucose enter the cells. At first, the pancreas keeps up with the added demand by making more insulin. Over time, however, the pancreas no longer produces enough insulin when the blood sugar levels increase, such as after meals.

If the pancreas no longer produces enough insulin, the condition must already be treated. Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes includes taking diabetes medicines, making healthy food choices, being physically active, controlling your blood pressure levels, and controlling your cholesterol levels.

Gestational Diabetes develops among pregnant woman. Pregnant women produce hormones that can lead to insulin resistance. Women have insulin resistance late in their pregnancy. If the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin at this time, the pregnant woman develops gestational diabetes.

Overweight or obese women have a higher chance of gestational diabetes. And gaining too much weight during pregnancy may also increase the likelihood of developing gestational diabetes. This type of diabetes, though, often goes away after giving birth. But a woman who has had gestational diabetes is more likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes later in life. Moreover, babies born to mothers who had gestational diabetes during the pregnancy are more likely to develop obesity and Type 2 Diabetes.

Diabetes is a long-term condition that has no cure yet – but the condition can be managed. In 2013, it was estimated that over 382 million people throughout the world had diabetes. Approximately 10 percent of all diabetes cases are Type 1 Diabetes, the rest are Type 2 Diabetes.

Other symptoms of diabetes include weight gain or unusual weight loss, fatigue, cuts and bruises that do not heal, male sexual dysfunction, numbness and tingling sensation in hands and feet. As the risk of cardiovascular disease is much higher for a diabetic, it is crucial that blood pressure and cholesterol levels are monitored regularly. And diabetics who smoke should stop the habit.

With proper lifestyle and diet modifications, diabetics may lessen the discomforts from their condition and lead normal lives. (References: www.idf.org, www.niddk.nih.gov, www.medicalnewstoday.com) (FREEMAN)