
Dealing with Diabetes: Types, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Disclaimer: This article features medical and health topics for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to replace or serve as medical or professional advice for self-diagnosis, self-treatment, self-medication, or the like for any health-related condition or medical emergency. Make sure to consult a health care or medical professional for proper medical care, diagnosis, or treatment related to your situation.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease that affects how the body metabolizes blood sugar or glucose due to the body’s atypical response to insulin. In 2013, the Philippine Health Statistics cited diabetes as the 6th leading cause of death among Filipinos. Not a decade over, it remains as a major threat with the numbers growing rapidly. In the Philippines alone as of May 2020, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) counts 3.9 million cases of diabetes in adults. At present, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1 in 11 people around the world are suffering from diabetes. It is considered an international burden due to its debilitating nature and increasingly rising prevalence and cost of care, scaling up to a pandemic-like outbreak.
With diabetes-specific complications, mortality is attributed to abnormalities developed in the kidneys, eyes, nerves, brain and even the heart. Unfortunately, many are unaware of the warning signs of diabetes, and may go undiagnosed until it is too late. Knowing the types, symptoms, and preventive measures of diabetes can help us manage or even avoid developing this disease.
Types of Diabetes
There are three major types and other minor types that occur.
Dealing with Diabetes
Amidst other concerns such as the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to become aware of how fatal diabetes can be and continue to push for awareness, prevention and promotion of a healthy diet and lifestyle. Contribute to flattening the rising trend of diabetes. In our own simple but mindful ways, we can take better care of ourselves to reduce the risk.
WHO shares these important yet manageable steps against diabetes:
- Achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.
- Be physically active.
- Eat a healthy diet, avoiding sugar and saturated fats.
- Avoid tobacco use – smoking increases the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
- Have an annual check-up to monitor or ensure early diagnosis.
If you already have diabetes, make sure to go to your doctor for a check-up to know the treatment and medication that’s right for you. There are oral medications that are effective, safe, and inexpensive, but you may require the use of insulin injections or insulin pumps, depending on the type of diabetes you have and its severity. Regular blood sugar testing may also be necessary for diabetics who are already under maintenance to be able to safely administer the correct dose of insulin every time. Closely monitoring your carbohydrate intake and limiting foods that sharply increase your glucose levels may also help improve your condition and overall health.
Fight Diabetes with Southstar Drug
Take charge of your health and get what you need for diabetes prevention or maintenance. Southstar Drug carries a number of products and supplements to help you manage your condition.
Diabetasol is a product specially created as a diabetes nutrition supplement that is clinically proven to help maintain low Glycemic Index (GI) profile. This means it does not cause your blood glucose levels to increase rapidly and is a great source for balanced nutrition. It also creates a longer full feeling to prevent you from eating high-GI foods. What's even better about this product is it is packed with high calcium, high fiber, 11 vitamins, 6 minerals and is cholesterol-free. Available in vanilla and cappuccino flavors.
Glucerna is another great-tasting nutrition product good for people with type 2 diabetes. It is designed to help provide the body with carbohydrates that are slower digesting, much like low-GI foods. It also helps to regulate blood sugar levels. It is available in various flavors such as vanilla and chocolate.
Nutren Diabetes is another option that is nutritionally balanced and formulated with 30 vitamins and minerals for individuals with impaired glucose tolerance. It helps meet the nutrition needed by people who have diabetes type I and II or hyperglycemia. What’s more, it is gluten-free, lactose-free, and available in Vanilla.
Accu Chek Test Strips is used for self-testing to determine the body’s current blood glucose level. These test strips must be used with a compatible Accu-Chek Instant blood glucose meter.
Freestyle Smart Buy Kit is a blood glucose and ketone monitoring system that comes with an Optium Neo Meter and 1 box of 50 Optium Test Strips. This offering is best for first-time users who do not yet have a blood glucose meter and are looking for something simple, easy and reliable to use.
Having diabetes is challenging, but knowing the right treatment and management regimen can help prevent further complications and anyone suffering from it can still live a normal life. Ultimately, awareness and a healthy lifestyle are important to help prevent or manage diabetes.