4.5 mln diabetics likely in Malaysia by 2020
KOTA KINABALU: Around 382 million people around the world are afflicted with diabetes mellitus (DM), or simply diabetes, and in Malaysia, around 2.6 million people from all walks of life have diabetes, and the number is expected to increase to 4.5 million by the year 2020.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diabetes will become the seventh biggest killer on our planet by the year 2030.
These facts were highlighted at the World Diabetes Day which was held at the auditorium of the Queen Elizabeth Twin Towers, here, yesterday.
“There is a significant increase among the younger age group to contract diabetes between the ages of 18-35, with a threefold increase over the next 15 years,” Dr Herric Corray, director of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital I (QEH1), said in his speech.
Dr Corray told the 150 or so attendees that World Diabetes Day is celebrated on November 14, every year, together with around 200 international diabetes associations from 160 countries.
The theme, ‘Healthy Living & Diabetes’, which was declared by the WHO, will be used for the next three years starting from 2014 to 2016.
This year’s theme, according to Dr Corray, will focus on living a healthy lifestyle to contain diabetes, while at the same time, encouraging proper management among diabetic patients to prevent health complications.
Queen Elizabeth’s (QEH1) Endocrine and Diabetes Clinic was formed to provide services relating to the endocrine system, complicated diabetes problems, weight problems and other hormone afflictions
However, the clinic, along with the Health Promotion Unit will always help patients who want to know more and improve their skill in controlling diabetes.
Among the activities would be, having classes for diabetes patients, counselling and diabetes demonstrations to help them get a deeper understanding of what diabetes is all about.
Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases in which there is high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period. The high blood sugar produces the symptoms of frequent urination, increased thirst, and increased hunger, and if untreated, diabetes can cause many complications, among which would include diabetic ketoacidosis and nonketotic hyperosmolar coma.
Serious long-term complications include heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, foot ulcers and severe eye damage.
Wider health problems accelerate the deleterious effects of diabetes, including smoking, high cholesterol levels, obesity, high blood pressure and lack of regular exercise.