Diabetes Prevention & Management

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic (long term) medical condition that affects how the body converts food into energy. Our body breaks down most of the food we eat into sugar (glucose) and releases it into the bloodstream. Under normal circumstances, this signals the pancreas to release a hormone called Insulin so that the body’s cells accept the blood sugar and utilize it efficiently as energy.

With Diabetes, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin or utilize insulin efficiently. The increased blood sugar remains in the bloodstream, leading to significant health issues.

Types of Diabetes

Type 1

Type 1 Diabetes is often hereditary. This is usually associated with insufficient production of Insulin by the pancreas. Regular Insulin injections are recommended for control.

Type 2

Type 2 Diabetes can arise due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors, it is the most common form of Diabetes.

Risk factors include:

1. Aged 40 years old and above
2. Being Overweight
3. Lack of regular physical activity

Gestational diabetes

Hormonal changes during pregnancy may cause some women to have high blood glucose levels. Close monitoring of sugar levels, together with a well balanced diet and regular exercise, is beneficial in preventing complications to both the mother and child during pregnancy and delivery.

Often, the blood glucose levels return to normal after delivery. However, these women may be at an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later on in life.

Lastly, we have the pre-diabetes, a condition when your glucose is higher than normal.

                                             

What can we do to improve our health?

These are tips that can help lower your risks of getting Type 2 Diabetes or improve sugar control if you have Diabetes.

1. 1. Adopt a Healthier Lifestyle
      
      1. Regular exercise, as tolerated
         
         1. Health Promotion Board recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity a week
   2. Choosing Healthier options
      
      1. Reduced sugar or Zero sugar options for drinks
      2. Low salt intake
      3. Eating vegetables
      4. Choose lean meat, healthy fat (unsaturated fats), lower cholesterol options
      5. Choose wholegrains
   3. Limit alcohol consumption and smoking
   4. Go for regular health screening

Tests that the Doctor may order to screen for Diabetes include:

Fasting Blood Glucose Test	Glucated Haemoglobin Test (HBA1c)	Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
Usually performed in the morning as it requires fasting for at least 8 hours prior to the blood sample being taken.	Can be performed non-fasting. This can assess the average blood sugar levels over the past three months.	Usually performed in the morning as it requires fasting for at least 8 hours prior to the first blood sample being taken. A sugar drink is consumed and a second blood test is taken 2 hours later

Make an appointment for a Health Screen or Consultation with our Doctors today!