DIABETES 糖尿病 is often called the silent killer 无声杀手 because it goes undetected until it has caused serious health problems. Alarmingly, diabetes also affects the heart, making this a double-edged sword.
Those with Type 2 diabetes have up to 4 times the risk of cardiovascular disease, so it pays to keep track of your health. For those who already have diabetes, a lifestyle change is required in order to keep their condition under control and prevent further complications from developing.
In this vein, Watsons together with Star Media Group recently held an online talk on “Living Healthy with Diabetes” on Nov 26 to help share information that would benefit those living with the condition.
Participants of the talk also enjoyed promotions on products to help manage diabetes and live a healthy life.
During the session, consultant endocrinologist Dr Shalini C Shree Dharan spoke on diabetes and preventive measures, as well as lifestyle and dietary adjustments that should be made.
The talk, which was moderated by Watsons pharmacist Ruby Tay, shed light on diabetes prevention and management with the intention of helping those predisposed to diabetes or are living with diabetes to lead a healthy life in spite of their condition.
Diabetes can cause major complications that affect the heart, brain, extremities as well as the eyes and kidneys. 糖尿病会引起严重的并发症，影响心脏、大脑、四肢以及眼睛和肾脏。It also causes neuropathy where hyperglycemia damages the nerves in the peripheral nervous system, leading to pain or numbness. 它还会引起神经病，高血糖会损害周围神经系统的神经，导致疼痛或麻木。
WHO statistics show that an overwhelming 50% to 80% of diabetes patients die from cardiovascular disease. 50% ~ 80%的糖尿病患者死于心血管疾病 In fact, Dr Shalini notes that with evidence linking diabetes to heart disease, cardiologists now are also actively treating their patients’ diabetes to help prevent progression towards heart complications.
She advises, “If you notice symptoms such as difficulty breathing, easily panting and easily fatigued, do get screened for heart failure.如果你注意到呼吸困难、容易喘气和容易疲劳等症状，一定要做心脏衰竭筛查。”
Dr Shalini also notes an alarming 60% of non-traumatic lower-limb amputations occur in diabetes patients 20 years old and above and that 70% of Covid-related deaths are due to diabetes as an underlying condition. 60%的非创伤性下肢截肢发生在20岁及以上的糖尿病患者中，70%的与covid相关的死亡是由糖尿病作为基础疾病引起的。
The National Health And Morbidity survey has indicated that 50% of Malaysians are not aware they have diabetes. 50%的马来西亚人不知道自己患有糖尿病。Dr Shalini attributes this to lack of frequent medical check-up.
She says, “Diabetes can develop in as little as six months of being sedentary, binging on sugary food or drinks and high-carb food. This lifestyle was prevalent during the pandemic, so just because you weren’t diabetic pre-pandemic, it doesn’t mean you won’t develop it.”久坐不动、暴食含糖食物或饮料以及高碳水化合物食物，在短短六个月内就会患上糖尿病。这种生活方式在大流行期间很流行，所以仅仅因为你在大流行前没有糖尿病，并不意味着你不会得糖尿病
Those who are overweight or obese, or have a family history of diabetes rank in the high-risk group for this condition alongside those living a sedentary lifestyle and are not physically active. 那些超重或肥胖的人，或有糖尿病家族史的人，与那些生活方式久坐不动、不运动的人一样，都属于糖尿病的高危人群。For mothers, they are also at risk if they have a history of gestational diabetes during pregnancy.对于母亲来说，如果她们在怀孕期间有妊娠糖尿病史，她们也有风险。
A normal blood glucose level for adults without diabetes (fasting) is less than 100 mg/dL and is 90 to 110 mg/dL two hours after eating. Meanwhile, for children under six years of age, their blood glucose levels should range from about 80 to 200 mg/dL.
没有糖尿病的成年人(禁食)正常血糖水平低于100 mg/dL，进食两小时后为90 - 110 mg/dL。同时，对于6岁以下的儿童，他们的血糖水平应该在80到200毫克/分升之间。
It is important to get an annual glucose check or venous blood test, especially if you fall into the high-risk group or notice you have high glucose levels – an indication of prediabetes.
Meanwhile, you can also make efforts to adjust your lifestyle and diet to minimise the risk of diabetes. Change to a healthier diet that includes lots of fibre-rich whole grains 富含纤维的全谷物 as well as nutrient-rich and non-starchy vegetables 非淀粉蔬菜. It is also recommended to take lean protein as well as plant-based protein.
You should also establish an exercise routine to keep active with about 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity weekly or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week.
You would also be well-advised to manage your stress levels, as stress can not only spike your blood sugar levels, but also increase your blood pressure and speed up your heart rate – this could very well affect your diabetes management. 你也会被建议管理你的压力水平，因为压力不仅会使你的血糖水平飙升，还会增加你的血压和加快你的心率——这很可能会影响你的糖尿病管理。
