On World Diabetes Day, we delineate ways to combat the disease, the incidence of which is increasing alarmingly, causing global concern

A CORRESPONDENT

Diabetes, which is a chronic disease that is progressive in nature and affects multiple organs of the body, is known as a silent killer. The reason it's called so is because the signs of the disease are not always dramatic. They may not even be noticeable. Patients with diabetes need lifelong care to prevent further complications.

Diabetes care is a continuous process and it needs complete care that consists of a self-motivated diabetic committed to healthy living, a dedicated, multi-disciplinary medical team that gives its time and patience, and family and friends who are supportive and well informed about the disease.

Failure to ignore the warning signs of diabetes can lead to an increase in blood sugar levels, which has a negative impact on your overall health. If your blood

Exercise regularly to keep your blood sugar under control

glucose stays high for long periods of time, it can affect various organs of your body such as the eyes, kidney and heart. Therefore it is very important to keep your blood glucose under control and treat hyperglycemia when it occurs.

Numerous complications could be associated with high levels of blood sugar over long periods of time. People with diabetes often don't realise that they have the disease until they begin to have other health problems. For example, a doctor may come across signs of diabetes damage while trying to treat another ailment. These complications can exist without the patient even realising that he/she has the disease. There are many complications associated with diabetes.

Eye problems: People with diabetes have an increased risk of blindness and other vision problems.

Heart disease: Diabetics have a higher risk for heart attacks and strokes.

Nerve damage (neuropathy): Diabetes may cause damage to the nerves of the body.

Kidney problems: Diabetes can damage the kidneys. It may even cause kidney failure.

Foot problems: Infections of the feet, nerve damage and problems with blood flow to the feet can be caused by diabetes.

Skin complications: Diabetes can cause a lot of skin problems, such as infections, sores and itching. Skin problems are sometimes a first sign that someone has diabetes.

Dental disease: Diabetes can lead to teeth and gum problems, also known as gingivitis and periodontitis, respectively.

Diabetes is a chronic condition that can impact upon almost every aspect of life -lifestyle, relationships, work, income, health, wellbeing and life expectancy. People with diabetes experience frequent urination. This can be embarrassing at times as well as disturb you normal sleep routine. It also makes you feel very thirsty. Diabetics also feel very hungry. The need to satisfy that hunger could lead to further weight gain. It can cause you to feel extremely fatigued and irritable due to lack of energy. This happens because the cells are unable to utilise the sugar found in the blood.

Diabetics need life-long care to deal with the ailment. Patients, who have diabetes, struggle with it on a day-to-day basis. Hence, diabetics need special care and attention to get about their daily activities. What they require is a comprehensive diabetes management programme that assesses their risk and provides organised care and support.

Diabetics need dedicated attention from doctors, who need to take into consideration the patient's lifestyle, dietary habits, nature of work, family history, personal medical history and current level of fitness before treating them. Patients can choose a personalised unlimited care plan that can help them manage their diabetes. Such plans are backed by round-the-clock support that may include video consultation, phone, SMS, web chat, and e-mail, in addition to personal consultation during regular hours.

Diabetics need to monitor their blood sugar at regular intervals. Too much of sugar in the blood can lead to hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and too less of sugar in the blood can lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Self-monitoring of blood sugar helps keep the level of sugar in the blood constant. Care for your feet Taking care of your feet is an important part of diabetes management. In diabetes, patients have less sensation in their feet and are thus prone to injuring it unknowingly. It is wise to check your feet everyday for signs of any injury. It will help prevent diabetic foot problems.Diabetics need to take charge of their lives by making progress on a day-to-day basis. Complete diabetes care is most effective when we manage it daily. Make a positive change today and opt for the right care plan available at a comprehensive diabetes management centre near you.

• A dedicated, multidisciplinary medical team that gives its time and patience
• A self-motivated diabetic committed to healthy living
• Family and friends, who are supportive and well informed about diabetes
• Many comprehensive diabetes management centres now offer better treatment standards, care and support for diabetics