One in 10 prediabetic individuals progress to diabetes within a year
April 24, 2024
Emeritus Professor Dr Chan Siew Pheng, chairperson of the 'Stand Against Prediabetes Programme' emphasized the five pillars of prediabetes management – losing excess body weight, increasing physical activity and exercise; adopting healthy lifestyle habits; taking medication as prescribed; and teaming up with healthcare professionals.
Here are some sobering facts about prediabetes. One-in-10 people with prediabetes are likely to develop full-blown diabetes within a year, while up to seven-in-10 may face the same outcome in 10 years. In the meantime, these individuals are already at risk of developing cardiovascular disease, vision loss, nerve damage, and chronic kidney disease, even before diabetes has set in.
It has been estimated that about 3.5 million adults in Malaysia may have prediabetes. As there are usually no symptoms, most people are unaware of their condition. Furthermore, they are not likely to get tested for it. The 4C's campaign According to Emeritus Professor Dr Chan Siew Pheng, Chairperson of Stand Against Prediabetes (SAPd) programe, prediabetes is manageable and reversible. Check your prediabetes risk 76% had never been tested and were unsure whether they had prediabetes. Yet, 40% of this group had the classical risk factors for prediabetes, namely, being overweight, having a family history of diabetes, and being physically inactive. Professor Chan said, “Checking whether you are at risk for prediabetes is the first step. We encourage the public to take the online risk checker on SAPd’s website (https://standagainstprediabetes.my/check-your-risk). If the results show that you are at risk, please ask for a simple finger prick blood glucose test at your community pharmacy, private GP clinic, or government health clinic.” By end-May, SAPd would have enlisted 700 community pharmacies nationwide to provide complimentary finger prick blood glucose tests, courtesy of Roche Diagnostics. Confirm the presence of prediabetes “A finger prick test cannot confirm whether you have prediabetes or not. So, if your results show a higher-than-normal blood glucose level, you will need to get a proper blood test from a laboratory, clinic or hospital," says Professor Chin. Below are the different types of tests available and their respective values. Consult your healthcare professional It can be upsetting if your blood test confirms you have prediabetes. You may feel unsure of what to do next. This is why it is important to seek the guidance and support of a healthcare professional. He or she will determine the best approach for you to manage prediabetes with lifestyle intervention and medication, if required. By attending follow-up visits, your healthcare professional will be able to monitor your progress and keep motivating you to achieve the results you desire. Change to reclaim your health There are five pillars of prediabetes management – losing excess body weight by eating a healthy diet; increasing physical activity and exercise; adopting healthy lifestyle habits (ie getting enough good quality sleep, managing stress, and quitting smoking, vaping, alcohol and other substance abuse); taking your medication as prescribed; and teaming up with healthcare professionals. According to Professor Chan, people with prediabetes can obtain practical tips to effectively manage these changes by visiting the SAPd website (www.standagainstprediabetes.my). There, you can also download our e-booklet (https://standagainstprediabetes.my/static/sapd-booklet.pdf) that summarises the key recommendations contained on the website. |
EXPLORE FURTHER
|
Not so sweet: The connection between erectile health and diabetesDiabetes increases the risk of developing ED 3.5 times
|
|
Women with pre-term delivery, gestational diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis at higher risk of heart diseaseThree times at higher risk of cardiovascular deaths
|
|
Diabetes: Subtle signs you should not ignoreSubtle signs include urinating often, thirsty, urinary tract infection, weight...
|
|
Diabetic retinopathy: A common cause for blindness in adultsThe most common eye disease
|
|
Empowering children with type 1 diabetes mellitusIs complete avoidance of sweets and sugar the solution?
|
|
Can diabetes be reversed?Discover the power to reverse diabetes through nutrition and lifestyle
|
|
Maggot debridement therapy: Rescuing limbs from amputationAn innovative modality for the treatment of chronic wounds
|
|
Diabetes treatments continue to evolveGlucagon-like-peptide-1 receptor agonists increases the secretion of insulin
|
