Diabetes Management: Tips From A Pharmacist
Health Today Malaysia|November 2018

World Diabetes Day falls on November 14 each year. In conjunction, our contributing writer, who is also a pharmacist, provides 10 practical tips on managing diabetes.

Abraham Mathew Saji
Diabetes Management: Tips From A Pharmacist

Diabetes, the “sweet killer” which is the leading cause of cardiovascular diseases, kidney failure, blindness, amputations and stroke, can affect anyone from any age group and walk of life.

When we eat, our food gets converted to glucose or sugar in our bodies. The pancreas releases a substance known as insulin which enables the conversion of glucose to energy. In a person with diabetes, the pancreas fails to release insulin resulting in a high content of glucose in the blood. There are many reasons for the pancreas failing to release insulin, such as genetics, environmental and lifestyle, to name a few.

According to the Diabetes Country Profile for Malaysia published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2016, the prevalence of diabetes in Malaysia grew at an alarming rate.

Diabetic complications are one of the key factors leading to cardiovascular diseases. The same 2016 WHO report indicated that diabetes and cardiovascular diseases put together are responsible for 39 percent of deaths in our country. In conjunction with World Diabetes Day and with an eye on the alarming statistics surrounding diabetes in Malaysia, here are a few simple and easy-to-practice tips from your friendly pharmacist.

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