Diabetes Can Be Prevented

Diabetologists help people with prevention of diabetes

The metabolic disease known as diabetes and its many potential complications can be prevented successfully. That is what the Professional Association of Diabetes Care in North Carolina pointed out on last year's World Diabetes Day, which is on November, 14.

 "Half an hour of exercise every day can already bring tremendous change into one’s life. A normal walk is sufficient to stimulate the metabolism and blood circulation", explains Dr. Matthew Callaway from the Board of PADCNC.

"That is very good news. Successes in case of unhealthy living can be achieved with relatively simple steps. Unfortunately, too many people develop diabetes, although they should not be suffering from it..."

An early stage act

Millions of adults suffer from diabetes and the number of diabetics is worrying in many of the countries of the world. The majority of those affected have Type 2 diabetes. This type of disease, which was formerly known colloquially as "adult-onset diabetes,” can be completely avoided in at least 60 percent of all cases.Try to take a diabetic test often to check the blood sugar levels.

But there is still hope for the remaining 40 percent, too. With the right lifestyle, patients with diabetes can live into old age largely symptom-free and consistently. According to Dr. Callaway, "it is important that they exercise regularly and that they have a healthy, balanced diet because obesity and physical inactivity are the two main risk factors for the outbreak and the negative course of diabetes.". Particularly at risk are people who have close blood relatives suffering from diabetes or women who have had gestational diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes can be prevented through screening. This is the so-called "routine" medical check-up, which is covered by the statutory health insurance once they have reached the age of 35 or more and which may be carried out every two years.

"The doctor already sees a so-called pre-diabetes at the check-ups and identifies who is a precursor of diabetes and who is affected by proper diabete," explains Dr. Callaway. At this stage, patients still have the chance to prevent the outbreak of the disease if they exercise more and change their diet. "The risks of diabetes are not to be underestimated because diabetes can be painless and initially treated with tablets.

A vicious circle in the body

"It is important that people are aware of the potential consequences of diabetes and that they understand this disease", says Dr. Callaway. Diabetes often leads to blindness, heart attacks or strokes. There is also nerve damage and impaired immune defense, which often brings the amputation of feet or legs with it. The cause of Type 2 diabetes is a so-called "insulin resistance" of the cells. Insulin is produced by the pancreas and is the only hormone in the human body that can lower the blood sugar levels.

In healthy people, the sugar is "transported" from the blood into the cells, which subsequently transform the sugar into energy. If there is permanently too much sugar in the blood, more and more insulin is produced. A vicious circle is set in motion since the cells become more insulin sensitive (resistant) over time, this hormone increasingly losing its effect. Due to the reduced effect, the body needs more insulin, the pancreas eventually meets its limits and it can no longer produce enough of it.

By this point, there is already always too much sugar in the blood, which damages the arteries and thus leads to complications. At some point, even drugs cannot help anymore because the cells are resistant not only to the body's own insulin, but also to the insulin that the body is supplied from the "outside" through tablets or injections.

"We want people to explicitly request to be active because this disease is not easy to accept," said Dr. Callaway. "Talk to your doctor about ways to prevent and treat diabetes."Diabetologic outpatient centers also offer a variety of training and counseling sessions to help those affected by this disease. A list of all diabetes care outpatient centers that are members of PADCNC are usually displayed on the internet.

PADCNC

The Professional Association of Diabetes Care in North Carolina (PADCNC) has been organized by over 100 diabetologists and has helped shape the current positive developments in the care of diabetic patients. The aim is to permanently improve diabetes patient care.