By Noel Somasundaram
In Sri Lanka alone, one in 10 adults are estimated to suffer from the disease, with a large number succumbing to its various complications.
Factors that cause diabetes are varied, can be both genetic and lifestyle induced, and be classified into type 1 and type 2 diabetes. With type 1 diabetes, the immune system mistakes the body’s own healthy cells for foreign invaders. With type 2 diabetes, patients are insulin resistant.
A few symptoms of this silent killer includes increased thirst, lethargy, frequent urination, unexplained infections, numbness or tingling in hands or feet, slow-healing wounds, blurred vision, amongst others.
Covid-19 and diabetes
Recent studies have also shown that the Covid-19 virus has a stronger impact on those with comorbidities such diabetes. There appears to be two primary reasons. Diabetes causes the linings of blood vessels throughout the body to weaken to an extent where they can’t ferry necessary nutrients adequately, and the rich environment of elevated blood glucose present in diabetic patients, makes them prone to superadded bacterial complications during the viral infection.
Simple steps, regular checks!
During this pandemic, apart from strict adherence to general Covid-19 personal safety protocols such as strict social distancing and sanitisation, it is important for patients to regularly monitor their glucose levels to avoid complications caused by fluctuating blood glucose. It is also crucial to have access to a good supply of the prescribed diabetes medications and healthy, wholesome food, so that patients are able to correct the situation if blood glucose levels fluctuate. Finally, regular checkups, sticking to a comfortable daily routine, maintaining an exercise programme even within the confines of home, reducing excessive work, and having a good night’s sleep can go a long way in keeping a person strong.
(The writer is an Endocrinologist and Diabetologist at Nawaloka Hospitals, Colombo)