According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2019 by the Ministry of Health (MOH), the prevalence rate of diabetes in adults has increased in Malaysia from 13.4% to 18.3%, with having sugar levels of 7.0 mmol/L or higher. Frankly, the number of diabetes is growing each year.
A recent survey showed that an estimated 3.9 million Malaysians aged 18 and above are suffering from diabetes, from this point, 1 in 5 adults in Malaysia have diabetes.
Diabetes is a chronic disease caused by the insulin hormone. It either interferes with the body’s ability to produce insulin (type 1 diabetes) or cannot process the insulin produced (type 2 diabetes).
You’ve probably heard of insulin??
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, and it helps to regulate glucose levels in the bloodstream. Additionally, if insulin is not present in our body the glucose build up in the blood instead of being transport into cells and use for energy. This can lead to serious health complications.
Despite the prevalence of diabetes, there are likely some surprising facts that you are unaware of. Read on to learn ten facts about diabetes.
1) Types of diabetes
There are three types of diabetes which are type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. In diabetes, blood sugar level increases after a meal and remains high due to a lack of insulin. It could also be due to an issue with insulin signaling.
2) It damages several senses
According to a recent study, high blood glucose levels may damage vision and impair nerve function, resulting in a sensory loss.
Moreover, if the glucose uncontroll, all types of diabetes can be resulting in persistently elevates blood sugar levels, which can cause various health problems including kidney, nerve, and blood vessel damage, as well as heart disease and stroke.
3) Gestational diabetes increase risk
Pregnancy women, known as gestational diabetes, the physiological changes may be occur during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after pregnancy but women who have gestational diabetes are at greater risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes later in life.
4) Millions are undiagnosed with diabetes
One-quarter of diabetics are unaware that they have the disease. Type 2 diabetes is most common in people over the age of 45, and the symptoms can be so subtle and hard to detect. People are not aware of their condition until they undergo a physical examination.
5) Diabetes may be reversible
Type 2 Diabetes may be reversible. Therefore, weight loss, regular exercise, and eating healthy foods as habits may allow Type 2 Diabetics to gradually wean off medications.
6) Being obese isn’t the only risk
Being overweight or obese indeed increases the risk of diabetes but genetics, ethnicity,and other factors can also play a role. Hence, some people that are obese, they never develop this disease, while others who are slim do. Also, talk to your doctor about your risk and how to reduce it.
7) A healthy meal like beans can protect your heart
Foods with a low glycemic index can be beneficial to our bodies. As a result, it can prevent blood sugar spikes. Furthermore, there are good for diabetes diets.
A recent study involving people with type 2 diabetes found that eating one cup of beans, lentils, or chickpeas per day helped lower blood sugar and reduce the risk of heart disease.
8) People with diabetes can enjoy sweets
Sweets aren’t off-limits. “It’s a myth that people with diabetes can never eat sugar,” says Northwestern Medicine Endocrinologist Jyothi Gogineni, MD, “but eating foods with sugar does require being mindful and planning your meals.”
People who are diagnose with diabetes does not mean can’t eat slice of cake or scoop of ice cream again. Your diet can be adjust every time you eat to maintain normal blood glucose levels. Always eat small portions and substitute sweets for other high-carb foods like whole-grain bread or juice.
9) Smoking
About 30% to 40% of smokers more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than non-smokers. If you have type 2 diabetes and still smoke, it will be even more difficult to maintain your health and all of the other complications will gradually develop in your body.
10) Diabetes can cause unstable emotions
People with diabetes are twice as likely to suffer from depression. Thus, they tend to feel angry, depress, or anxious. This can make diabetes management more difficult, as it necessitates a high level of self-care. Furthermore, depression is linked to a 60% increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Living with diabetes, on the other hand, is not easy. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you will be on a life-long journey to keep it under control so that you can live your healthiest life.
