The bitter truth about diabetes

MANILA, Philippines - Frequent urination, weight loss, lack of energy, and excessive thirst are some of the warning signs of diabetes, the most common non-communicable disease worldwide. Diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body is unable to effectively use the insulin produced by the pancreas or the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin, which enables cells to take in glucose from the blood, resulting in hyperglycemia or too much sugar in the blood.

“It is becoming a global health issue,” Diabetes Philippines chairman and president Dr. Tommy Ty-Willing remarks. “While the number of patients with diabetes is increasing, they are also getting younger, developing complications at the early stage.” It is also increasingly recognized in low and middle-income countries. Increased disability, reduced life expectancy, and the enormous economic health cost have serious impact on society. The ability to cope depends largely on the patient’s economic status as well as the social insurance policies of their countries. In the Philippines, patients shoulder the expense from their own pockets or with help from family members.

There is a collective effort of diabetes advocacy and awareness groups in countering the escalating health threats posed by the disease. Since 1991, the international observance of World Diabetes Day on November 14 has been celebrated annually, led by the International Diabetes Federation and its 212 member associations in more than 150 countries and territories. This year sees the first of a five-year campaign with the theme “Diabetes Education and Prevention.” For 2009, the campaign slogan is “Understand Diabetes and Take Control.” Giving its support in the Philippines is the Department of Health, in partnership with Diabetes Philippines and research-based global healthcare company MSD, among other concerned groups.

Thirty minutes of exercise a day can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by as much as 40 percent. Brisk walking, dancing, swimming, and cycling are recommended, but not jogging or running. “People with diabetes should be encouraged to live with diabetes ‘nicely’,” said Dr. Naoko Tajima, diabetes educator and chairperson and professor at the department of medicine, division of diabetes, metabolism and endocrinology at Jikei University School of Medicine in Tokyo, Japan. “Most of the time, it is not the doctors but the diabetes educators who try to understand the patients who are able to help them cope. It is not difficult to prescribe medication, but lifestyle modification, diet, and exercise, is the tough part of diabetes treatment.”

Leyden V. Florido, diabetes nurse educator with a community-based program in Tarlac, emphasizes the importance of public information and education, advocacy, physical fitness, screening, counseling, referral, and follow-up, and the organization of diabetes communities. “We need to promote proper nutrition, physical activity and exercise, smoke-free environment, behavior change, and create a supportive environment for healthy lifestyle,” says Florido.

“Diabetes prevention will be the cure for diabetes,” says Dr. Maria Horolina Gomez, co-training coordinator at the Philippine Center for Diabetes Education, and consultant endocrinologist at UST Hospital and Capitol Medical Center. “We need to do opportunistic screening, to see the patients as well as their relatives who may be future diabetes patients. The diabetes patients themselves can become mentors or lay educators.”

Certain diabetes myths need to be busted, such as the popular belief that those with diabetes should not eat rice. The fact is, they can, but they just need to control and limit the amount. Can food supplements cure diabetes? No, it does not cure, but diabetes can be controlled with medication. Can someone with diabetes use artificial sweeteners? They can, but in moderation. Can those with diabetes avoid having their children inherit the disease? “In order to avoid diabetes, avoid the new KKK, which stands for katakawan, katabaan, katamaran,” Dr. Augusto Litonjoa, icon and champion of diabetes care and prevention, asserts.

Promote an active lifestyle rather than one that is sedentary. “Move,” Dr. Asuncion Maderazo-Anden, director IV, National Health Promotion of the Department of Health, prescribes.

 Blue is the color of the diabetes circle, which symbolizes life and health. The color blue reflects the sky that unites all nations and is the color of the flag of the United Nations. “The blue diabetes circle signifies unity in the global struggle to defeat diabetes,” says Dr. Ty-Willing. “Let blue be the color of November, the diabetes month.”