Healthy after the holidays? Check your numbers!
MANILA, Philippines - The extra exertion of easing one’s way through the unbearable traffic jams, those holiday gatherings that continued into dawn, and the temptation of endless spreads of rich foods and potent drinks must have taken their toll. Surely, we are now eager to go back to work and get back in shape.
Where do we start? Monitoring one’s blood pressure should be routine and we are well aware that normal blood pressure is usually within the range of 120/80 mmHg. But while we are cognizant of the perils of high blood pressure (such as arterial damage, coronary heart disease, and stroke,) a sudden drop in blood pressure (or hypotension) may cause dizziness — potentially dangerous especially if you are driving or operating machinery. It might be good to keep in mind that low blood pressure may be a reaction to alcoholic drinks. However, chronic low blood with no symptoms is usually not a serious condition.
A visit to a physician for a routine medical check-up is also a good way to start the year. Our doctors might recommend that blood works be done. By monitoring our lipid, blood glucose, uric acid, and other levels, we might be able to make lifestyle changes in time to prevent chronic disease. This comes with a special reminder for older individuals to be especially vigilant: They may find it useful to keep in mind that the prevalence of diabetes increases with age.
Statistics provided by the International Diabetes Federation indicate that about 366 million people worldwide suffer from the disease and “nearly half of all patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are over the age of 65.” Studies say that “with people living longer and more becoming obese, the ‘diabetes epidemic’ and associated healthcare burden is expected to worsen. Evidence suggests that older people with diabetes use primary and secondary care services two or three times more than those without diabetes.” The figures hold true in the Philippines where about four million people have type 2 diabetes with about 500 new cases being diagnosed every day. The way things are going, it is estimated that 10 million Filipinos will suffer from the disease by year 2025.
“A healthy lifestyle is an inexpensive way of preventing diabetes,” says Dr. Augusto Litonjua, who is widely respected as the father of Philippine endocrinology. “A change in lifestyle is very effective and prevention of the disease means prevention of its complications.” The disease can lead to heart and arterial disease, stroke, nerve damage and neuropathies, blindness, kidney disease and bladder control problems. It can be behind urologic disease which, in turn, causes erectile dysfunction and sexual problems. Diabetes can be the cause of unsightly blotches in the skin, wounds that do not heal, and impaired blood supply to the extremities. Recent studies have linked high blood sugar to certain cancers. Diabetes can result in toe digits rotting and falling off, gangrene, sepsis, and even death. Indisputably, it is a dangerous disease that is best avoided or controlled. Thus, there is a need to raise and maintain public awareness about the disease.
“Diabetes is one of the most significant public health problems facing us today,” agrees Thomas Weigold, country manager of Novartis, one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in diabetes care. “Novartis is committed to raising awareness on the need for improved and comprehensive management.”
He continues, “Finding a solution will only become more critical as growing numbers of older-people with diabetes leave the workforce just as their risk of co-morbidities and complications increase significantly.”
In matters of health, it is always a good idea to keep ourselves updated. All of us may be older by another year, but we should constantly strive to be wiser, healthier, and happier.
