Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has
high blood sugar,
either because the body does not produce enough insulin, or because cells
do not respond to the insulin that is produced.
Insulin
is produced by the pancreas and is being used by cells to utilize sugar for
energy production.
The
classical symptoms for diabetes mellitus are frequent urination, increased
thirst and increased hunger.
Diabetes
has two main types, Types 1 and 2. Type 1 diabetes
results from the body's failure to produce insulin and requires the person to
inject insulin. Type 2 diabetes results from insulin resistance, a
condition in which cells fail to use insulin properly, sometimes combined with
an absolute insulin deficiency.
The
causes of diabetes are attributed to both genetics and environmental factors
such as obesity and lack of exercise.
The 7TH National Nutrition Survey
(NNS) conducted by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department
of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) reported that the prevalence of high fasting
blood sugar (FBS) in the Philippines is 4.8 percent, based on the average FBS
of more than 126 milligrams per deciliter.
Fasting
blood sugar is a blood test
that determines the amount of glucose
in the blood and is mainly used in screening for pre-diabetes or diabetes.
In
people already with diabetes, blood glucose
monitoring with frequent intervals is important to manage the
condition.
Data
from the NNS showed that the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) increases
with age. Among young adults 20-29 years old, DM prevalence is as low as 0.4
percent, increasing at 3.2 percent among adults 30-39 years old. This nearly
doubles at 5.7 percent among the 40-49 years old, then to 9.0 percent among
50-59 years old. DM prevalence is highest among older persons 60-69 years old
at 9.1 percent.
The
prevalence of hyperglycemia (or high FBS level) increased from 3.4 percent in
2003 to 4.8 percent in 2008.
Currently,
the use of Hb1C (or glycosylated hemoglobin test) is one of the best
assessments to determine diabetes which is a form of hemoglobin measurement
primarily to identify the average plasma
glucose concentration over
prolonged periods of time.
In
late adulthood, foods need to be chosen carefully to ensure adequate nutrition
without excess consumption of calories since physiological changes that
accompany aging may affect nutrition.
There
is actually no treatment for diabetes mellitus, though it can be controlled and
still be prevented with a proper diet and a healthy lifestyle.
A
diabetic requires a lot of time and commitment in controlling the blood sugar
through maintaining and achieving desirable body weight by eating the right
type of food at the right time which are important in reducing the risk of
complication of this disease.
A
diabetic diet is a must to have a healthy eating plan that is high in
nutrients, low in fat, and moderate in calories.
Inclusion
of foods rich in fiber in the diet such as oats, cereals, legumes, wholegrain
products, dried beans, peas, lentils, fruits, vegetables will also help in
blood sugar control and thus may reduce the risk of diabetes.
A
healthy lifestyle must be encouraged, such that smoking and excessive alcohol
drinking should be avoided.
Moreover,
it is suggested that patients with diabetes start physical activities such as
walking 20 minutes three to four times a week, then gradually increasing this to
30 minutes. Physical activities should be something genuinely enjoyed so that
it becomes a lifetime habit.
For more information on food and
nutrition, contact Dr. Mario V. Capanzana, Director, Food and Nutrition
Research Institute, Department of Science and Technology, General Santos Avenue Taguig City
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