Experts say diabetes causes blindness, kidney failure, lower limb amputations
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PALEMBANG — Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in human blood. If left unchecked, diabetes can lead to serious complications and can lead to the risk of dying sooner than it should.
According to the Internal Medicine Specialist from Siloam Hospitals Sriwijaya, dr. Ketherine Sp.PD., diabetes is one of the 8 major diseases that cause death in adults. Having diabetes is twice as likely to have a heart attack.
“In adulthood, between the ages of 30 and 40, we recommend starting the habit of early detection to find out whether or not there are factors that cause diabetes,” said Dr. Ketherine during a health talk education opportunity to commemorate National Diabetes Day earlier this week.
He also explained that diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, lower limb amputations, and some long-term consequences that lower quality of life. On the next occasion, it was also explained that the rumors stating that diabetics had to go on a special diet were misleading information.
“The fact is that a special diet or healthy diet is beneficial for anyone, including people with diabetes. A healthy diet should contain whole grains, vegetables and fruit, avoid trans fats, and limit fat and refined carbohydrates, especially sugar”, said dr. Ketherine.
He also suggested for diabetics to start choosing food by examining food composition labels. “Remember, the words ‘natural’ or ‘original natural’ are not always safe,” added Katherine.
About Diabetes and Prevention
In general, there are two main types of diabetes, namely type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes: This type is an autoimmune disease, meaning the body’s immune system attacks itself. In this condition, the body will not produce insulin at all. This disorder is caused by the immune system, which normally attacks viruses or other harmful bacteria, instead attacking and destroying insulin-producing cells.
As a result, the body lacks or even cannot produce insulin so that the sugar that should be converted into energy by insulin causes a buildup of sugar in the blood.
Type 2 diabetes: In this type of diabetes, the body does not make enough insulin or the cells of the body with type 2 diabetes will not respond to insulin normally. In type 2 diabetes, the body can produce insulin normally, but insulin is not used normally. This condition is also known as insulin resistance.
“There is also gestational diabetes which is specifically suffered by pregnant women, namely the type of diabetes that only appears when you are pregnant and disappears after the pregnancy is over,” said dr. Ketherine Sp.PD.
The symptoms of diabetes are known as the 3Ps, namely polyuria, polydipsia and polyphagia, which are symptoms of frequent urination, frequent thirst and hunger. Including other symptoms such as drastic weight loss, vaginal discharge (women), erectile dysfunction (men) and the presence of wounds that are often difficult or long to heal.
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