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Ref: CHB/Flash/2008/67 Date: November 12, 2008 |
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CHB NEWS FLASH |
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Diabetes in our community is creeping at an alarming rate, the recent Mini Health Screening in Dar Es Salaam during the holy month of Ramadhan 1429 AH has revealed increased cases of diabetes in the community, 21.1% of the participating individuals were shown to be diabetic, more commonly between the ages of 46 and 65.
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World Diabetes Day (WDD) is the primary global awareness campaign of the diabetes world. It was introduced in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in response to the alarming rise in diabetes around the world.
As we all know the basics of diabetes, we ought to know how complicated it could be and how we could avoid that in our loved ones life. Therefore, the theme for this year’s WDD is the Chronic Complications of Diabetes and Avoiding Diabetes in the Family. |
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CHRONIC COMPLICATIONS OF DIABETES MELLITUS Diabetes Mellitus can cause several complications in the human body if it is left unchecked, or if the blood sugar level is not controlled.
The complications of Diabetes mellitus could be
either short-term or long-term. The short term
complications are those which can be corrected
by medical treatment on an emergency basis.
Long-term complications develop over time. They
can disable a particular organ or system of the
body, and become life-threatening over a period
of time. Below is a summary of the several
long-term complications that are caused by
diabetes mellitus. |
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1) CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE Similar to the cause of nephropathy, diabetes mellitus can also harden the walls of the other major arteries of the body, especially those leading to the heart. If this happens, the blood supply is reduced, and several problems such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, stroke, angina, pectoris, and even myocardial infarctions can occur. The complication is indicated by any kind of disorder that is felt in the chest cavity. This could be shortness of break, pain in the chest, fatigue and weakness, edema, palpitation and excessive perspiration. The heart attacks that occur in people with diabetes mellitus are generally silent heart attacks. This happens because the patients of diabetes mellitus may also be suffering from neuropathy, which would deaden the nerves in the chest that feel the pain of heart attack. |
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2) DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY
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Kidney damage occurring due to diabetes mellitus is called diabetic nephropathy. This occurs in about 30% of the patients. It is caused due to the hardening of the renal arteries, due to which blood cannot be properly supplied to the kidney. Diabetic Nephropathy is indicated by swelling of the ankles and limbs, short breaths, nausea and vomiting, hypertension, mental disorders, poor appetite, dry and itchy skin and fatigue. Treatment may include dialysis or replacement of the kidneys. In supplementation, the patient is made to subsist on a low-protein diet which reduces the pressure on the kidneys.
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3) DIABETIC RETINOPATHY Diabetic Retinopathy is specific damage of the retina of the eye due to lack of blood supply, caused by diabetes mellitus. Diabetes mellitus causes an accumulation of fats on the inner walls of blood vessels. When this deposition takes place in the blood vessels leading to the retina, it does not get adequate blood supply and retinopathy occurs. Retinopathy is so common in diabetes mellitus that it affects almost everyone with diabetes mellitus type 1 and more than 60% of those having diabetes mellitus type 2. The complication generally occurs when a person has had diabetes mellitus for a period of over 20 years. |
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Any distortion in the vision in a diabetic
person can indicate the onset of retinopathy.
The vision could get blurred, or there could be
spidery threads in the visual area, or spots,
etc. Sudden flashes of light also indicate
diabetic retinopathy. |
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4) DIABETIC NEUROPATHY |
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Testing with a pin prick |
Testing with a cotton wool |
Testing with a tuning fork |
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Diabetic neuropathy is a very common diabetic complication, which affects about 60% of all diabetic patients. A person with diabetic neuropathy loses the power of the senses. It is a long-term complication of Diabetes Mellitus and it cannot be repaired to return the person to the original healthy state. Diabetic Neuropathy is the medical name for the damage to the nerves caused due to prolonged diabetes mellitus. Nerves are composed of a chain of cells called as the NEURONS or NERVE CELLS. These cells are responsible for conducting signals from the sensory organs to the body to the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and back. In other words, the nerves are responsible for each sensation the human body perceives. In the hyperglycemia caused due to diabetes mellitus, the high amount of sugar causes damage to the neurons. Also, the high amounts of blood sugar can interfere with the vessels that supply blood to the neurons in order to keep them functioning. The common symptoms of diabetic neuropathy are when the person begins to lose the powers of the senses. It normally begins with weakened muscles and a clumsy manner of walking. The person becomes oblivious to sensations such as warmth, coolness and even to some extent pain. Diabetic Neuropathy also affects the heartbeat. The heart rate increases and there could be profuse perspiration. Impotence is observed in males. Other minor symptoms are tingling feelings in the body, numbness, or a pain that occurs generally in the night. In serious cases, Nerve damages could cause ulcers, which would require an amputation. People with diabetic neuropathy need to take several precautions since they cannot fell heat, cold and pain. They should always monitor their blood sugar levels closely and try to keep it in proper check. Once the neuropathy sets in, there is no way to repair the nerve damage. Treatment of retinopathy is done by an ophthalmologist. They may use laser surgery to seal off the weak and leaking blood vessels in the eye. Scars can occur due to internal bleeding in the eye, which need to be removed by surgery. |
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5) ATHEROSCLEROSIS DUE TO DIABETES MELLITUS |
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Atherosclerosis is a disease affecting blood vessels called arteries. Fatty material called Atherosclerosis is a disease affecting blood vessels called arteries. Fatty material called plaque builds up within the inner lining of arteries causing them to narrow and be less flexible. This reduces the amount of blood and oxygen that is delivered to vital organs. Atherosclerosis can occur anywhere in your body, but it is especially dangerous when it affects the arteries leading to your brain, heart, kidneys and legs.
Angioplasty is normally recommended by doctors
to open up the arteries leading to the heart.
Smoking is extremely dangerous to people
suffering from cardiovascular complications of
diabetes mellitus. |
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DIABETES PREVENTION: When it comes to type 2 diabetes — the most common type of diabetes — prevention is a big deal. It's especially important to make diabetes prevention a priority if you're at increased risk of diabetes, for example, if you're overweight or have a family history of the disease. In the United States alone, experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expect diabetes to affect more than 48 million people by 2050.
Tweaking your lifestyle could be a big step toward diabetes prevention and it's never too late to start. Consider these tips. Tweaking (changing) your lifestyle could be a big step toward diabetes prevention — and it's never too late to start. Diabetes prevention is as basic as losing extra weight and eating more healthfully. Consider the latest diabetes prevention tips from the American Diabetes Association. 5 TIPS FOR TAKING CONTROL Tip 1: Get more physical activity
There are many benefits to regular physical activity. It can help you lose weight but even if it doesn't, it's still important to get off the couch. Whether you lose weight or not, physical activity lowers blood sugar and boosts your sensitivity to insulin — which helps keep your blood sugar within a normal range.
Research shows that both aerobic exercise and resistance training can help control diabetes, but the greatest benefits come from a fitness program that includes both.
Tip 2: Get plenty of fiber
It's rough, it's tough — and it may reduce the risk of diabetes by improving your blood sugar control. Fiber intake is also associated with a lower risk of heart disease. It may even promote weight loss by helping you feel full. Foods high in fiber include fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts and seeds.
Tip 3: Go for whole grains
Although it's not clear why, whole grains may reduce your risk of diabetes and help maintain blood sugar levels. Try to make at least half your grains whole grains. Many foods made from whole grains come ready to eat, including various breads, pasta products and ready-to-eat cereals. Look for the word "whole" on the package and among the first few items in the ingredient list.
Tip 4: Lose extra weight
If you're overweight, diabetes prevention may hinge on weight loss. Every pound you lose can improve your health. And you may be surprised by how much. In one study, overweight adults who lost a modest amount of weight — 5 percent to 10 percent of initial body weight — and exercised regularly reduced the risk of developing diabetes by 58 percent over three years.
Tip 5: Skip fat diets and make healthier choices
Low-carb, low-glycemic load or other fad diets may help you lose weight at first, but their effectiveness at preventing diabetes isn't known; nor are their long-term effects. And by excluding or strictly limiting a particular food group, you may be giving up essential nutrients. Instead, think variety and portion control as part of an overall healthy-eating plan.
Remember - Long-term complications include:
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“Community’s health – CHB’s priority” |
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Attached PDF Version of the Newsflash |
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