UNS — Are you easily thirsty and sleepy during rush hour even though your body should be energetic when working? If so, you’d better be on your guard. According to an Internal Medicine Specialist (Internist) in Universitas Sebelas Maret Hospital (RS UNS-UNS Hospital) Surakarta, Dr. Evi Liliek Wulandari, the reason for these two symptoms Sp.PD, M.Kes, as a symptom of diabetes. “The classic symptoms of diabetes are frequent urination, often feeling thirsty leading you to drink a lot, continuous hunger that increases food intake, and also weight loss,” said Dr. Evi.
Meanwhile, it turns out that there are also non-classical symptoms of diabetes, such as fast sleepiness, no arousal, and blurred vision. “Yes, including frequent spectacles replacement, and tingling, thickness, or maybe pain on feet. It is difficult to heal in the event of a wound,” explained Dr. Evi.
She added that diabetes symptoms could differ according to sex. In men, the symptoms of diabetes are known from decreased sexual activity, while in women, it is recurrent or difficult to heal vaginal discharge symptoms.
Now that we know the typical and non-typical diabetes symptoms, let’s talk about this disease, its definition, factors, and prevention. It is noteworthy that diabetes still tops the list as the world’s deadliest disease. A glance at World Health Organization (WHO) data in 2020 shows that diabetes is among the top ten causes of death. Diabetes ranks 9th as the world’s deadliest disease with heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Alzheimer’s, lung cancer, and lower respiratory tract infections.
dr. Evi explained that diabetes is categorized as a metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia caused by abnormalities in insulin secretion or abnormal insulin function. Further, she explained that diabetes is divided into several types, such as type 1 diabetes mellitus, type 2 diabetes mellitus, gestational diabetes, LADA diabetes, and MODY diabetes.
In type 1 diabetes mellitus, the cause is damage to pancreatic beta cells resulting in absolute insulin deficiency. Meanwhile, type 2 diabetes mellitus is caused by abnormalities of how insulin works in the body and is accompanied by abnormalities of insulin secretion. “Diabetes mellitus is a disease that can be reduced. However, not everyone who has a family history will inherit diabetes. But, indeed, a person will have a high-risk factor for developing diabetes mellitus,” said Dr. Evi.
In this case, a person’s risk of developing diabetes will increase if they are overweight or obese, often eat junk food, high-calorie food, drink alcohol, are lazy to move, and never exercise. dr. Evi said if someone has an unhealthy diet, especially if he has hereditary factors of diabetes, he should immediately check himself and check his blood sugar levels.
“The sign for diabetes mellitus is seen from the increase in fasting blood sugar level. Fasting blood sugar level (for a diabetic patient) is higher than or equal to 126 mg/dl, the increase in blood sugar during or blood sugar 2 hours after eating is more than or equal to 200 mg/dl, and HbA1c that is higher than or equal to 6.5 percent,” explained Dr. Evi.
For those who do not know, HbA1c is the average blood sugar glucose level over the last two to three months. If a person has diabetes, the ideal HbA1c level is 48mmol/mol (6.5 percent) or lower. If a person is at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, the target HbA1c level should be below 42mmol/mol (6 percent).
Diabetes Can Strike All Ages
Who says diabetes can only occur in the elderly generation. In fact, dr. Evi said that anyone from a young age could experience this disease. “The symptoms of diabetes for the young and old are not much different. Almost the same, it can be said that there are always typical and non-typical symptoms. To avoid diabetes, we must strive for a healthy lifestyle,” she added.
The healthy lifestyle referred to by dr. Evi is a portion of food that avoids high sugar, fatty, and high salt levels. She advises people to eat more healthy food. On the other hand, a healthy diet must also be accompanied by regular exercise, stopping a smoking habit, stopping alcohol consumption, avoiding staying up late, excessive working, including losing weight to get back to the ideal.
“If a person has a high-risk factor for developing diabetes, it is recommended to take a regular blood sugar level controls, medical check-up, or early doctor’s screening. It is recommended to have routine screening for early detection of diabetes mellitus at least once a year,” concluded Dr. Evi. Humas UNS
Reporter: YCA Sanjaya
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
