KUALA LUMPUR, The prevalence of diabetes among Malaysians is heading towards an upward trajectory, with an estimation that seven million adults in the country will be affected by 2025, said Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City Endocrinologist Consultant, Dr Teoh Wei Leng.
In a statement, Dr Teoh said the most common type of this condition is type 2 diabetes, which, as of late, seems to be affecting younger people as well.
“One of the most worrying phenomena is that people are getting diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at a much younger age. I diagnosed a 17-year-old recently, with childhood obesity and strong family history of diabetes. Our paediatric endocrinologists are seeing type 2 diabetes in children which was never the case before,” said Dr Teoh.
She said diabetes is a chronic disease when an individual’s pancreas does not produce sufficient insulin or when it cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.
“Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose get into our cells to be used for energy and when this fails, it can lead to elevated glucose levels in our body and over long periods of time can raise one’s risk of damage to eyes, kidneys, nerves, blood vessels or heart,” Dr Teoh explained.
She pointed out that poor dietary habits, sedentary lifestyles, obesity, and genetic predisposition are among the root causes of diabetes, and because of that, there is a need to educate people about healthy food choices from childhood so that they can form healthy lifelong eating habits to reduce the rise of obesity.
“Frequent urination, excessive thirst, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue are classic signs. If you notice these symptoms, don’t dismiss them, get your blood sugar levels checked promptly. Today, blood sugar levels can be checked for free or a small fee in pharmacies or clinics,” said Dr Teoh.
However, despite encouraging people to better manage their diabetes, Dr Teoh said one of the challenges is the prevalence of myths and misconceptions, especially regarding medication.
“A common misconception is that diabetes medications harm the kidneys. In reality, uncontrolled diabetes can lead to kidney damage. It’s essential to ensure regular follow-up with your diabetes doctor,” she said, while also stressing the importance of a balanced lifestyle such as having healthy eating habits, which includes whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables, and exercising regularly.
On treatment options, Dr Teoh shared the growing advancement in diabetes treatment and management, involving innovative medications, continuous glucose monitoring systems, and various tools to treat the disease.
“However, personalised care that fits a patient’s needs or lifestyle and patient education remain the cornerstones of effective treatment but with the right knowledge and support, individuals with diabetes can lead fulfilling lives. It can be done with a holistic approach that includes understanding the condition, making informed choices and having compassion,” she added.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency