Nowadays, the incidence of obesity and, in parallel, diabetes, has increased rapidly due to inactivity, consumption of high-calorie foods, and excessive intake of liquid foods containing sugar and fructose. Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases Specialist Dr. Esra Tutal said that diabetes affects millions of people in Turkey as well as all over the world.
“THIRST MAY BE VISIBLE”
Referring to the symptoms of diabetes, Specialist. Dr. Tutal said, “Thirst, drinking a lot of water and frequent urination, weight loss, recurrent infections, numbness in the hands and feet, and in more serious cases, coma are the main symptoms of diabetes. Diabetes is a lifelong chronic disease. With treatment, blood sugar can be brought to normal limits. Having blood sugar within normal limits protects the person from the negative consequences of sugar. “Diabetes-lowering drugs should be used timely and regularly,” he said.
“IT INCREASES THE RISK OF CHRONARY ARTERY AND STROKE BY 2-4 FOLDS”
Expert also stated that diabetes increases the risk of coronary artery disease and stroke by 2-4 times. Dr. Tutal said, “Diabetes can lead to structural changes in the heart, vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves over time. “It is also one of the most important causes of chronic kidney failure,” he said.
“DO NOT REMAIN STILL FOR HOURS AT WORK”
Expert stated that excess weight invites diabetes. Dr. Tutal said, “Do not remain inactive for long hours at work. Sitting for hours, especially in an office environment, increases the risk of diabetes. Be careful to be physically active, take care to walk regularly for at least 30 minutes, at least 5 days a week. Choose low-fat, low-calorie, fiber-rich foods. “Consume fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods frequently,” he said.
“TREATMENT WAYS IN DIABETES”
Expert stated that treatment methods in diabetes may differ depending on the type of disease. Dr. Tutal shared the following information:
“In type 1 diabetes, medical nutrition therapy should be applied meticulously along with insulin therapy. The patient’s diet is planned by the dietitian according to the insulin dose and plan recommended by the doctor. The life of individuals with Type 1 diabetes can be made much easier with the carbohydrate counting application, in which the insulin dose can be adjusted according to the amount of carbohydrates contained in the food. In individuals with type 2 diabetes, treatment generally includes the use of oral antidiabetic drugs to increase the sensitivity of cells to the insulin hormone or directly increase the release of insulin hormone, in addition to ensuring the nutritional regime. If the things to consider in diabetes and the recommended treatment principles are not followed, high blood sugar levels lead to many health problems, especially neuropathy (nerve damage), nephropathy (damage to the kidneys) and retinopathy (damage to the eye retina). Therefore, if you are an individual with diabetes, do not forget to have regular check-ups.” (UAV)
