“Keep taking so much sugar, and you’ll end up with diabetes” are words that follow us in today’s society. Whenever we order something sweet, indulge ourselves in dessert or celebrate with a big cake, there’s probably that one person who will mention “diabetes”.
But what EXACTLY is diabetes? What does it do to you? Can it be cured? Why should I control my sugar levels now and not wait until I’m older? What’s wrong with having a little bit of extra sugar?
If you don’t know what diabetes is, or if you have an idea and would like to learn more about it; then let’s start with this section.
Diabetes is a chronic condition associated with abnormally high levels of sugar (glucose) in your blood. Normally, your blood sugar is well-managed by your body thanks to a hormone called insulin; which is produced by your pancreas. Insulin will lower the sugar in your blood and keep it from going above a dangerous level.
Diabetes develops when the following conditions occur:
With a low amount of insulin or inability to use it properly, your blood sugar will rise. If it rises and remains at a high level for a long period of time, you will develop life-threatening complications and diseases.
There three main types of diabetes, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. Understanding the main types of diabetes is simple.
Type 1 diabetes means your body does not produce insulin. As a result of your body attacking itself (known as an autoimmune reaction or autoimmune disease), the cells that create insulin in your pancreas are destroyed and will produce little to no insulin. Type 1 diabetes often develops in children or teenagers, but can appear at any age. Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented.
If you have type 2 diabetes; you still have insulin in your body, but the body either doesn’t produce enough or use it well enough. It can also develop if your body becomes resistant to insulin and its effects. Type 2 diabetes is often first discovered in middle-aged and older individuals, although like Type 1 it can develop at any age. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or managed with healthy lifestyle choices.
*The majority of patients in Malaysia have type 2 diabetes (79%).
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops in women when they are pregnant, which will usually go away after the baby is born. Doctors will test their patients for gestational diabetes during their pregnancy, followed by treatment and helping their patient to manage the condition. If you have had gestational diabetes, you have a higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes after your pregnancy. Your child may also have a higher risk of obesity and developing type 2 diabetes if your gestational diabetes is not managed well.
Apart from the three main types of diabetes, there is also a condition known as Prediabetes, which is diagnosed when your blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes. People who have type 2 diabetes usually develop prediabetes first, and of course; people with prediabetes are at a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
We can reduce the rate of progression (before prediabetes becomes full-blown diabetes) through an active lifestyle and prescribing medication.
Risk factors of Type 1 diabetes
There is no known cause of what triggers that response in the first place because the body could be attacking itself for years before type 1 diabetes is diagnosed. Some of the risk factors of type 1 diabetes are:
The risk factors for type 1 diabetes are not as well-defined compared to the known risk factors for type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. Weight, however, is not believed to be a factor for type 1 diabetes.
Risk factors of Type 2 diabetes
On the contrary, being overweight is strongly linked to the development of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. As with type 1 diabetes, nobody knows what exactly causes the cells to become resistant, although a few factors are known to increase a person’s risk developing type 2 diabetes:
It is important to note that not all people who have type 2 diabetes are overweight; it can still develop in individuals who have their weight under control. Type 2 diabetes prevention is also not just for the old, as the incidence rates in children and young adults continue to rise.
Risk factors for gestational diabetes
During pregnancy, the placenta produces more hormones to sustain a woman’s pregnancy, but these hormones increase the cells' insulin resistance. The pancreas will produce additional insulin to counter this effect, but there are cases where the pancreas cannot keep up with the surge of hormones. Thus, gestational diabetes occurs. Similar to type 2 diabetes, the risk factors for gestational diabetes are:
Family history – A family history of diabetes increases your risk of developing gestational diabetes during pregnancy and type 2 diabetes after pregnancy
Being overweight – Being overweight before pregnancy may affect your body’s insulin sensitivity; this may also carry over into your pregnancy.
How would I know if I have diabetes?
Pre-diabetes and diabetes rates are very high amongst Malaysians. It makes sense to be screened for diabetes, particular if you are in a high risk group (as outlined in the sections above). Screening includes a blood test (glucose tolerance test), HbA1C level test, a fasting or random (non-fasting) blood glucose level test. Your doctor will guide you throughout your screening.
Screening should be carried out if you have symptoms of diabetes:
If you have no symptoms, then screening should be carried out if you are overweight or obese (BMI greater than 23 kg/m2) or have a waist circumference greater than 80cm (for women) or 90cm (for men) AND have one or more of the following risk factors:
(Reference: Malaysian Consensus guidelines on Diabetes 2015 (5th edition))
When you look at the statistics of leading causes of death, diabetes may not be among the top five causes. However, most death certificates list the primary disease as the cause of death without listing that their primary disease was caused by diabetes. Hence diabetes can be both a direct and indirect cause of death for millions.
Mild episodes of high blood sugar can be treated easily and may also return to normal sometimes. However, when your blood sugar levels are very high and remain high for a long period of time, it can lead to life-threatening complications.
Diabetes is a disease which is associated with many complications. This means that early good control can prevent or delay some of the complications described below:
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) happens when your body starts breaking down fat into a type of acid called ketones. Too much of this acid in your blood causes it to become acidic and can lead to a diabetic coma, making this a life-threatening condition if not managed properly.
Hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state (HHS) or severe dehydration is caused when your body is trying to get rid of excess sugar through your urine. The increased frequency of urination causes thirst, headaches and drowsiness as dehydration sets in.
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage) is caused by high blood sugar damaging the nerves close to the surface of the skin. It usually affects the lower half of the body (legs and feet) before affecting the arms. Nerve damage will cause you to:
High blood sugar can also cause damage to the blood vessels, triggering a response that will cause plaque build-up and hardening of the arteries (known as atherosclerosis). By damaging the blood vessels, a number of other complications can develop:
Other complications include diabetic coma, depression and amputations due to the infection of an injury to the feet.
There is currently no cure for diabetes as it is a chronic disease. While type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes can be prevented by avoiding a sedentary lifestyle.
1) Exercise for about 30 minutes a day, go for a walk, cycle around on a bike or do some swimming. With adequate exercise and physical activity, your body will:
30 minutes of moderate physical activity does not have to be in one go; you can split it into smaller sessions throughout the day.
2) Lose excess fat and weight, as the risk of diabetes increases with your weight and waist circumference. Ideally, your BMI should be within 18.5 – 23; any value higher than 23 is considered as being overweight. Aim for a 5 – 10% weight loss. This will improve your diabetes or reduce the risk of progression to diabetes by 50%.
If you are pregnant, then it is recommended for you to speak with your doctor first on how much weight is healthy for you to put on during pregnancy, rather than think about losing it.
3) Diet – A healthy diet is important in diabetes management, especially one high in nutrition, fiber, whole grains and protein. Cutting down on fats, calories, refined carbohydrates and sweets also helps to keep your blood sugar under control. Of course, there is no specific diet for all diabetic patients, the recommended amount of food depends on each person; thus it is best to create a meal plan for yourself by discussing with your doctor and dietitian.
Apart from lifestyle changes to manage your blood sugar, most diabetics require more than just lifestyle changes. A diabetes treatment plan often includes one if not all of the following:
Coping with diabetes can be a challenge as there are significant changes to one’s lifestyle, finance. Complications can be depressing, which is why understanding the disease is the first step to coping. Guidance is important.
Patients are empowered to look after themselves with help from the doctor, nurses and dietitian to guide them along the way.
Take steps to keep you and your loved ones at Island Hospital - and enjoy the gift of health
The Medicine Delivery Service is introduced for the convenience of patients who are on long-term medication. Island Hospital is offering to deliver your medication directly to your doorstep without you having to visit the hospital.
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