By Stephanie Simons,
Head Pharmacist,
Lindo’s Pharmacy in Devonshire
November 14 is World Diabetes Day. We take this opportunity to educate the public about this chronic disease. Last year, there was a reported 6,900 cases of diabetes in Bermuda, according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). This is nearly 10 per cent of the population in Bermuda, and the number of cases is expected to rise in the coming years. In fact, the IDF estimated that in 2014, there were an additional 1,900 undiagnosed cases of diabetes in Bermuda.
The prevalence of diabetes in adults is higher in Bermuda than it is around the world. This is a result of our lifestyle and we need to make a serious change to improve the health of our community. To start, we must understand this disease, its risks, symptoms, treatment and how best to prevent its onset.
Diabetes & Its Implications
Diabetes results from the body’s inability to produce or process the hormone insulin. During digestion, the carbohydrates we eat are broken down into the simple sugar known as glucose. Insulin helps regulate the level of glucose in our blood, so that our bodies can produce energy from the foods that we eat. In people with diabetes, glucose levels are not managed naturally and this may lead to serious health complications, including heart disease, kidney failure and blindness. Worldwide, diabetes results in almost five million deaths each year.
Risk Factors & Prevention
There are various types of diabetes and the most common, Type 2 Diabetes, where the body does not process or use insulin as it should, is preventable. There is no prevention for Type 1 Diabetes, where insulin is not produced by the body, which affects about 10 per cent of people with the disease. The large majority, 90 per cent, of people with diabetes have Type 2.
Maintaining a healthy body weight, exercising and eating healthy are all things we can do to help prevent Type 2 Diabetes. According to the IDF, only 30 minutes of exercise a day can reduce the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes 40 per cent. Pairing exercise with a healthy diet decreases the risk of developing diabetes (and helps to manage the disease in people living with diabetes). IDF estimates that a healthy lifestyle could prevent up to 70 per cent of Type 2 Diabetes. A healthy lifestyle includes a balance of exercise and a nutritious diet of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean meats.
In addition, smoking, depression and both over (more than 9 hours) and under (less than 6 hours) sleeping are associated with an increased risk of diabetes.
Addressing these risk factors will help decrease the chances of developing diabetes.
Symptoms
The symptoms associated with diabetes vary from individual to individual. Some of the most common signs associated with diabetes are frequent urination, loss of energy, high thirst levels, weight loss, blurred vision, numbness in the hands and feet, increased hunger and frequent infections. It is important to visit a doctor if you show any of the above signs.
The onset of Type 1 Diabetes is often sudden and usually occurs early in one’s life. Type 2 Diabetes, on the other hand, often develops with little to no symptoms. It is for this reason that Type 2 Diabetes often goes undiagnosed at first.
Treatment
Type 1 Diabetes is treated with insulin. Type 2 Diabetes also can be managed with insulin or non-insulin medications but if caught early, it can be treated without medication. People living with early Type 2 Diabetes can adjust their diet and exercise in order to keep their diabetes in control. Treatment is individualised and should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
When properly monitored, diabetes is a manageable disease. Everyone is susceptible to developing diabetes and its prevalence is on the rise worldwide. If you have questions about diabetes, speak to your healthcare provider and for more information, visit the Bermuda Diabetes Association’s website at www.bermudadiabetes.org.
Stephanie Simons is the head pharmacist at Lindo’s Pharmacy in Devonshire. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and has been practicing for over 20 years. She is a registered pharmacist with the Bermuda Pharmacy Council and is a member of the Bermuda Pharmaceutical Association.
