The importance of early diagnosis and control of diabetes.

By Specialist Physician, Dr Ashley Murugan

What is diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, is a chronic condition in which the body is unable to control its glucose(sugar) levels as a result of a deficit of insulin or insulin resistance. This results in elevated blood glucose levels.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes affecting about 90% of patients.
The prevalence of diabetes has almost tripled from 4.5% in 2012 to 12.7 % in 2019. South Africa has the second highest number of diabetics in sub-Saharan Africa.

By controlling blood sugar levels early, you can prevent the many complications of diabetes such as stroke, heart attack, visual impairment, kidney failure and diabetic foot, leading to amputation of limb.

Over the last few years there have been significant advances in the management of diabetes, mainly due to newer medications. With the newer oral agents, we've been able to delay the use of insulin in some type 2 diabetes and in some case, get a few type 2 diabetes patients off insulin.

Diagnosis of diabetes
This is done by blood test. Either fasting blood/glucose level of 7.0mmo/l or higher, random blood glucose level of 11.1 mmol/l or higher with typical symptoms of diabetes
HBA1c of 6.5% higher or 75g glucose tolerance test with a 2-hour blood glucose level of 11.1 mmol/l or higher.

Risk factors for developing diabetes include the following:
• Obesity/overweight (most common cause of type 2)
• Family history of diabetes
• Hypertension
• High cholesterol
• History of polycystic ovary syndrome
• History of gestational diabetes (diabetes that occurs during pregnancy for the first time)

Common complications of diabetes
• Stroke
• Poor vision
• Kidney failure
• Nerve damage
• Sexual dysfunction
• Heart disease
• Foot problems
• Gangerene

Who should be tested for diabetes?
Everyone over the age of 45 should be tested for diabetes, particularly those with a strong family history of diabetes. If results are normal, the test should be repeated every three years.

How to prevent diabetes
• Regular exercise for about 30 mins, three to five times a week.
• Weight loss
• A healthy diet, free of processed sugars