Together, united, let’s take an action against diabetes

November is National Diabetes Month, a time when communities across the country seek to bring attention to diabetes. This year’s focus is on taking action to prevent diabetes health problems.

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. It affects about 38 million including adults and youth. Diabetes can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart, and it is linked to some types of cancer.

But there’s also good news: Taking charge of your health may help you prevent diabetes health problems.

Diabetes is one of the fastest‐growing chronic diseases in the world. However, diabetes awareness is low, especially in developing countries, and blood glucose control in particular remains a challenge for healthcare providers. Research has found that adequate glycemic control can significantly decrease the risk of diabetes‐related complications, causing a delay in disease progression.

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) listed Egypt among the world top 10 countries in the number of patients with diabetes. In Egypt, the prevalence of diabetes is around 15.56% among adults between 20 and 79 years of age.

You are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you have overweight or obesity; are age 35 or older; have a family history of diabetes; are African American, American Indian, Asian American, Hispanic or Latino, or Pacific Islander; are not physically active; or have prediabetes.

Prediabetes is a warning of Type 2 diabetes. It means your blood sugar levels are elevated but not enough to be Type 2 diabetes. There are lifestyle changes you can make to manage or reverse prediabetes, like getting more physical activity and adjusting eating patterns and habits. Prediabetes is very common, more than 80% of people with prediabetes don’t know they have it, as it often has no symptoms.

Here are the strategies to improve diabetes care:

1-Education programs:

General diabetes and nutrition education should be conducted at schools, health care and community centers, and through public and private media. The aim is to improve dietary habits and particularly to reduce consumption of processed and fine carbohydrates and trans-fat in traditional Egyptian meals (e.g., rice, bread, and desserts).

2- Take small steps toward healthy habits.

Lifestyle habits such as planning healthy meals, being physically active, getting enough sleep, and not smoking may help you prevent diabetes or manage your diabetes ABCs. You don’t have to do it all at once. Start slow and build healthier habits from there.

3- Reach or maintain a healthy weight.

If you have overweight or obesity, ask your primary care provider if healthy eating, physical activity, or other weight-loss treatments may help you manage your weight.

You may be able to prevent or delay diabetes by losing 5 to 7 percent of your starting weight.

4-The concept of early diagnosis and management of diabetes complications should be introduced.

Screening and early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, with prompt initiation of treatment for glycemia and cardiovascular risk factors, are likely to confer substantial health benefits. reducing the time between diabetes onset and clinical diagnosis and by hastening the treatment of cardiovascular risk factors. 

5- Manage your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.

Preventing diabetes or managing diabetes as soon as possible after diagnosis may help prevent diabetes health problems. You can start by managing your diabetes ABCs.

• A is for the A1C test that health care professionals use to measure your average blood glucose levels. Some people with diabetes also use devices to track their blood glucose throughout the day and night.
• B is for blood pressure.
• C is for cholesterol.

And of course, don`t hesitate to ask our Endocrine consultants in As-salam international hospital - New Cairo branch for what your ABCs goals should be.