Type 2 diabetes is currently the fastest growing, non-communicable disease in the Asia Pacific region. In Malaysia 1.2 million have been diagnosed as diabetic, 98% of whom have type 2. In Singapore, 10% of the population of 300,000 have likewise been diagnosed with type 2. Being overweight is a major risk factor. The Biggest Loser Club reveals the warning signs and explains how you can minimise your risk before it is too late.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic disease which affects the body’s control of insulin, a hormone that is vital for transporting glucose into the cells. Insulin is made by the pancreas. For people with type 2 diabetes, the cells stop responding to the effects of insulin (insulin resistance) to the point where the pancreas either:
- stops producing insulin or
- only produces a limited supply
This means that glucose cannot enter the cells and accumulates in the blood, where it causes serious harm. If unchecked, eventually our blood vessels become damaged, leading to diseases of the heart, kidney and eyes.
What are the risk factors of diabetes?
There are many contributing risk factors, some which you can control and others which are beyond your control.
Risks you can control with diet and exercise:
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Your weight, particularly if you carry extra weight around the abdomen.
- A lack of regular exercise and sedentary behaviour
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High blood pressure
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Unhealthy blood lipids (low HDL cholesterol and high triglycerides)
Risks you can’t control:
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Your age – the older you are, the more likely your chances of becoming diabetic
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Your background – many ethnic groups have a greater susceptibility, including people from the Indian subcontinent and people of Chinese origin
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Your family history – you are at greater risk if you have a parent or sibling who is diabetic
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Your health in other areas – overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and individuals with prior cardiovascular disease are at high risk
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
Diabetes can be present for years without causing noticeable symptoms, but still quietly wreaking havoc throughout your entire system. When the symptoms come on, they tend to do so gradually. People can experience different warning signs but the most common ones to watch out for are:
- Frequent urination and excessive thirst
- Increased or constant hunger
- Weight loss
- Tiredness and lack of focus
- Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
- Blurred vision
- Frequent infections and slow-healing wounds
Preventing diabetes
There is plenty you can do to protect yourself from diabetes. It’s worth remembering that small changes can make a substantial difference to your future health. Here are 3 key steps to get you started.
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Maintain a healthy weight. If your BMI is high, aim to bring it down to closer to below 25. A small weight loss of 5% to 10% can be sufficient to prevent or delay diabetes. This is not just about having a beach-ready body, but making a serious investment in your health and quality of life. Our Weight Loss Basics program is designed for safe and effective weight loss and offers steady results and well balanced, delicious menu plans.
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Get moving. Research suggests that one of the most effective ways to lower your risk is to be physically active. You don’t have to sign up for a half-marathon just yet, just make sure you find at least 30 minutes every day to be active. If you are new to exercise, you may prefer to start with our Home Gym Beginners program, which includes effective exercises you can do at home. If you love exercising in a social environment, you may prefer our Class Lover Beginners program.
Go to the My Profile section to set up your diabetes-proofing, healthy-living plan. Your online diary is proven as an effective tool for tracking your progress.
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Get screened. As it is possible to have diabetes (or its precursor, pre-diabetes) without being aware of it, your best defence is to have your fasting bold glucose tested regularly. If you think you are at risk, talk to a medical practitioner about a diabetes screening schedule appropriate for you. Don’t delay.
What are the 3 types of diabetes mellitus?
In type 1 diabetes, the less common type, the pancreas loses its ability to make insulin. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the cells develop a reduced sensitivity to insulin and do not respond to its actions. Gestational diabetes is diagnosed when higher than normal blood glucose levels first appear during pregnancy. While maternal blood glucose levels usually return to normal following the birth, there is an increased risk for type 2 diabetes for both mother and baby in the future.
The onset of type 1 diabetes is usually sudden and dramatic. On the other hand, the symptoms of type 2 diabetes are often mild, making it hard to detect. This is why it is crucial to have regular screenings if you have any of the risk factors.
What is pre-diabetes?
Pre-diabetes is the precursor to type 2 diabetes. It is a new term for what used to be called impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glucose. It is likewise characterised by abnormally high blood sugar levels, but not as high as seen in full-blown type 2. People with pre-diabetes are 10 to 20 times more likely to develop diabetes, although you can manage to avoid it completely by overhauling your lifestyle. A diagnosis of pre-diabetes can be a vital wake-up call to take charge of your lifestyle and push your high blood sugar back down to a healthy level. And keep it there.
What are the complications of diabetes?
Both the large and small blood vessels become damaged, leading to loss of circulation. Diseases of the large blood vessels include atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks. People with type 2 diabetes are 4 times more likely to develop heart disease and 4 times more likely to have a stroke than the general, non-diabetic population.
Diseases of the small blood vessels lead to loss of kidney function and degeneration of the retina and loss of vision. People with type 2 diabetes develop kidney damage at 3 times the rate of people who do not have the disease. The eye damage caused by type 2 diabetes (retinopathy) affects 1 in 6 diabetics and is the most common form of blindness in adults aged 30 to 60 years.
Nerves are also damaged by diabetes. Nerve tissue slowly deteriorates, which is often first noticed by an uncomfortable prickly sensation in the hands or feet, but then progresses to loss of sensation. This means injuries like cuts or abrasions are not always noticed. Diabetics are more susceptible than usual to infections, so if an injury is not carefully watched, an infection can take hold to the point where the surrounding tissue is destroyed. The worst outcome in these instances is amputation, usually of the feet or legs. People with type 2 diabetes are 15 times more likely to have an amputation than the general, non-diabetic population.
For further information see
www.diabetes.org.my
www.diabetes.org.sg/