Pre-Diabetics
Q: What is pre-diabetes?
A: Pre-diabetes is the condition that occurs when a person's blood glucose level is above normal but not high enough to be confirmed as diabetes.
Q: Is pre-diabetes the same as Impaired Glucose Tolerance or Impaired Fasting Glucose?
A: Yes. Doctors sometimes refer to pre-diabetes as Impaired Glucose Tolerance or Impaired Fasting Glucose (IGT/IFG), depending on the test used to detect it.
Q: How do I know if I have pre-diabetes?
A: You need to see your family doctor and get checked with either the fasting blood glucose test or the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT).
Q: Why do I need to know if I have pre-diabetes?
A: People with pre-diabetes have a higher chance of developing Type 2 Diabetes and are at-risk of cardiovascular disease such as heart attack. People with pre-diabetes can delay or sometimes even prevent the onset of Type 2 Diabetes by making healthy lifestyle changes.
Q: What is the treatment for pre-diabetes?
A: If you have pre-diabetes, healthy lifestyle choices can help you bring your blood glucose level back to normal.
Q: Who should get tested for pre-diabetes?
A: Ask your doctor about blood glucose screening if you have any risk factors for pre-diabetes such as being overweight or obese, sedentary lifestyle, age 40 or older, a family history of Type 2 Diabetes, gestational diabetes during pregnancy, polycystic ovarian syndrome, high blood pressure and abnormal blood lipids.
Q: How often should I be tested?
A: If your blood glucose level is in the normal range, have a repeat test every three years. If you have pre-diabetes, you should be checked for Type 2 Diabetes every year after your diagnosis.
Q: Could I have pre-diabetes and not know it?
A: Yes. Persons with pre-diabetes often don't have symptoms. However, if you experience unusual thirst, a frequent desire to urinate, blurred vision, or a feeling of being tired most of the time for no apparent reason, you should go for a blood test.
Diabetics
Q: What is diabetes?
A: Diabetes is a chronic medical condition which occurs when the body produces too little insulin or ineffective insulin resulting in high amounts of glucose (sugar) in the blood . Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the pancreas to help blood glucose enter the cells where it is converted into energy.
High blood glucose levels over time can damage many parts of the body like the eyes, kidneys, heart, blood vessels and the nerves.
Q: What are the symptoms of diabetes?
A: A person may have diabetes and have no symptoms of the condition. However, any of following symptoms may be signs of diabetes:
• increased thirst
• frequent urination
• increased hunger
• fatigue or extreme tiredness
• unexplained weight loss
• blurred vision
• wounds that heal poorly
Q: What is Type 1 Diabetes?
A: Type 1 Diabetes is a condition resulting from the body's inability to produce insulin. It affects about 5-10% of persons with diabetes and is more commonly found in children and young adults.
Q: What causes Type 1 Diabetes?
A: The cause is not fully understood, but the onset of Type 1 Diabetes in some predisposed individuals is suspected to follow exposure to an "environmental trigger" such as a virus that attacks the beta cells of the pancreas.
Q: What is Type 2 Diabetes?
A: Type 2 diabetes is the most common type and results from a combination of inadequate production of insulin and ineffective insulin action. It usually develops in adults aged 40 years and above but there is now an increasing trend among younger adults due to obesity or being overweight. Type 2 Diabetes affects about 90-95% of all persons with diabetes.
Q: What are the risk factors for Type 2 diabetes?
A: Risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes include older age, obesity, family history of diabetes, prior history of gestational diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, physical inactivity, and race/ethnicity. Women who have had gestational diabetes (high blood glucose level during pregnancy) are at increased risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes later in life.
Q: What is Gestational diabetes?
A: Gestational diabetes is a condition in which women who were not diagnosed to have diabetes previously show high blood glucose levels during pregnancy. This occurs in 2-5% of all pregnancies. These women are at a higher risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes later in life. Babies born to mothers with diabetes are more likely to be obese or may develop diabetes later in life.
Q: Will I develop complications from diabetes?
A: People with diabetes are at risk of developing serious complications if the blood glucose level is not controlled over a period of time. The following complications can occur:
Foot injuries due to numbness caused by nerve damage and reduced blood flow to the legs and feet. Diabetic foot ulcers are serious because they heal poorly in people with diabetes and are at high risk of infection and gangrene. Foot ulcers that do not heal are a frequent cause of amputation in people with diabetes.
Another complication is kidney failure. This will lead to a build-up of waste products and water in the blood requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant.
People with diabetes are also at risk for heart attack and stroke.
Blindness is another common complication. High blood glucose level affects the blood vessels in the eye, especially the retina. If left untreated, damage to the retina can lead to blindness.
Q: Can diabetes be prevented?
A: Type 1 Diabetes is not preventable. However, regular physical activity together with weight control and healthy diet can significantly reduce the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes. It is also important to go for regular health screening and check ups.
Q: What is the treatment for diabetes?
A: Persons with diabetes need lifelong regular treatment to keep their condition under control and to reduce the risk of complications. Treatment for type 2 diabetes may involve a combination of diet, physical activity and medication to control blood glucose level. Those with Type 1 diabetes require daily injection of insulin. It is important that people with diabetes monitor their blood sugar level closely to keep their blood glucose under control. It is important to see your family doctor to have your condition checked regularly to monitor your progress.
Q: Is there a cure for diabetes?
A: Diabetes is a lifelong condition and there is no cure. However, with good management and control, serious complication can be delayed or prevented.
Q: What are the steps I should take to control my diet?
A: When you have diabetes, it is important to watch your portion size, especially for carbohydrates, as they have a greater impact on your blood glucose (sugar) levels. Keep your portion size within the recommendations of your Dietitian. Good carbohydrate sources include whole-grains, legumes, fruit, vegetables and low fat milk. It is also important to limit intake of food which are high in salt, saturated and trans fat and cholesterol. For more information, refer to 'nutrition section'
Q: Can I eat food with added sugar in them?
A: Yes you can, but in moderation. Studies show that it is the total amount of carbohydrates that affect the blood glucose levels. As most sugary food are 'empty calories' and contain high amounts of fat and calories, it is best to limit intake. Instead go for food which contain natural sugars like fruit, raisins or low fat milk.
Q: Can I still drink alcohol?
A: If your blood glucose level is under control (i.e your HbA1c is within target range), you may drink alcohol within the recommended amounts (i.e 1 standard drink for women and 2 standard drinks for men per day). Be careful if you are on insulin injection as taking alcohol can lower your blood glucose level even further and put you at risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).
Q: How can I make my favourite recipes more healthy?
A: Don't throw away your favourite recipes and cookbooks just because you have been diagnosed with diabetes. You can adjust your favourite recipes so that you eat healthier. Go for recipes which use healthy cooking methods like steaming, boiling, baking, grilling and stewing. Also visit our recipe page for tasty recipes contributed by our readers.
Q: Why is physical activity important in people with diabetes?
A: Engaging in regular physical activity is an important part of managing diabetes. Physical activity helps to improve your blood glucose control and reduces your risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke. Physical activity also keeps your heart healthy and helps control your weight.
Q: What do I need to know when I start exercising?
A: Consult your doctor before starting any exercise programme. It is safe to exercise if your blood glucose level is within 5.5 and 13.8 mmol/l. Ensure that you are able to recognise symptoms of low blood glucose such as feeling shaky, nervous and confused. If this should happen, stop your activity and take something such as sweets, fruit juice or chocolate to raise your blood sugar level. When exercising, drink plenty of fluids and wear comfortable clothes and shoes that fit well.
Q: What type of physical activity should I do?
A: A combination of aerobic exercises (e.g. walking, cycling, jogging, or swimming) and strength training can lower your blood glucose level better than if you do either alone.
Q: How does medication help my diabetes?
A: Your medication lowers your blood glucose level and reduces the risk of complications. It makes the pancreas release more insulin, helps the body to respond more effectively to insulin and slows down the absorption of glucose in the intestines.
Managing Diabetes
Q: Why do I monitor my blood glucose levels?
A: Monitoring your blood glucose level is essential because it can help you and your doctor in planning your diabetes treatment such as the use of insulin and other medication and in making choices about your diet and your level of physical activity. It also helps you recognise if your blood glucose levels are too low (hypoglycaemia) or too high (hyperglycaemia) and helps you avoid the complications that unstable blood glucose level can cause. Make sure you keep a record of your blood glucose readings so that your doctor can track your condition and adjust your treatment accordingly.
Q: What should I do if I have low blood glucose (hypoglycaemia)?
A: If your blood glucose is below 4mmol/l, you may feel symptoms of hypoglycaemia such as hunger, giddiness, confusion, weakness or tiredness. Raise your blood glucose quickly by taking half a glass of any fruit juice or two teaspoons of sugar or honey or three sugar cubes or sweets. If after ten minutes, there is no improvement, have another round of sugar snacks. This can be repeated up to three times. Inform a family member or caregiver to call for an ambulance if the symptoms persist.
Q: What should I do if I have high blood glucose (hyperglycaemia)?
A: When your blood glucose level is more than 15mmol/l, you may feel symptoms of hyperglycaemia such as increased thirst, tiredness, nausea and frequent urination. Consult your doctor for immediate treatment. Ketoacidosis (diabetic coma), which is a life threatening condition, can occur with severe hyperglycaemia.
Health Concerns
Q: I can't get/maintain an erection any more. I'm too embarrassed to talk to the doctor
about this. What should I do?
A: Erectile dysfunction or impotence is the inability to get or keep an erection for sexual intercourse. It can result from tiredness, stress, too much alcohol, certain medications and diabetes. All men experience difficulties in achieving an erection at some time in their lives, but it can be more common in men with diabetes. Don't live with the problem out of embarrassment of talking to your doctor. Your doctor is experienced in such matters and is there to help you. |
