“Healthy Lifestyle Can Keep Diabetes at Bay”

Glucose level too high

That glucose level, also called blood sugar, is too high and out of balance in people with diabetes. This can cause damage to blood vessels and nerves and therefore to many organs in the body. Patients often do not notice this high blood sugar level for a long time. Not everyone has clear complaints.

‘pee a lot’

In the initial stage, complaints can also be missing because they resemble things that everyone has, says the internist-diabetologist Behiye Özcan of Erasmus MC. “Initially, the complaints of high glucose levels are thirst, drowsiness, fatigue, and frequent urination,” summarizes Özcan. “And in the long run, chronically high blood sugar can cause complications in areas like the heart, eyes, kidneys and feet.” Mental problems and problems with sexuality can also arise.’

Heart attack

But there are also people who only find out they have diabetes after a serious complication such as a heart attack has already occurred. This makes diabetes an insidious disease, warns Özcan, which mainly treats patients with complex diabetes. In addition to diabetes, they have, for example, heart failure, have had a transplant or lack a pancreas.

Eye abnormalities

‘Half of patients with diabetes develop cardiovascular disease and a quarter develop eye disorders. Because of the damage in the vessels, toes, feet or legs sometimes have to be amputated. Worldwide, diabetes is a leading cause of blindness.’

Two types

There are several types of diabetes, of which type 1 and type 2 are the best known. Type 1 is an autoimmune disease and is not very common. About 90 percent of people have type 2, also known colloquially as adult-onset diabetes. A major risk factor for type 2 is obesity. An unhealthy diet, too little exercise, and smoking also increase your risk. Diabetes can also run in the family. “If diabetes runs in the family and you’re overweight, then get yourself checked.” At the moment, around 150 people are diagnosed every day in the Netherlands. There are many, but Özcan is particularly concerned about the 1.1 million people with prediabetes, a precursor to diabetes.

No complaints

“There’s a huge group of people who haven’t had any problems yet, but who have slightly elevated blood sugar.” These slightly elevated blood sugar levels can cause initial damage to blood vessels, including those in the eyes,” she warns.

Prediabetes

Prediabetes often becomes full-fledged diabetes in the long run. Research has shown that one to two thirds of people with prediabetes develop type 2 diabetes within 6 years. ‘Prediabetes is reversible – with a healthy lifestyle you can lower slightly elevated blood sugar levels and prevent further damage. I know it’s not easy, but a healthy lifestyle really is the most important thing.’

Diabetes-distress

In addition to all the physical health problems, diabetes often has a bad influence on the mind as well. ‘Diabetes drags you everywhere: to your holiday destination, to a party, to your wedding. This is not a common folk disease. Many people are busy day to day with their diabetes and may experience high distress due to diabetes as a result. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help with distress. And when people are happy again, blood sugar levels return to normal.’

Too heavy

Özcan therefore advises: if you are overweight and/or if you have a family with diabetes, be vigilant. Also be careful if you have Turkish, Moroccan or Surinamese-Hindu roots: these population groups have an increased risk of diabetes. Women who had diabetes during pregnancy also have an increased risk of developing type 2. If you want to start a healthy lifestyle, or if you want to have your blood sugar levels checked, it is therefore advisable to consult your doctor about family. .