Diabetes, which has been declared the "epidemic of our age", also threatens our country... According to the research results, the rate of patients has increased to 13.7%. However, diabetes is a disease that can be prevented with good follow-up and patient compliance. At this point, the importance of the pre-diabetes period is understood better day by day.
Diabetes, which has become a threat to Turkey as well as the whole world, is literally It has turned into the epidemic of our age. The disease can progress to undesirable consequences, especially with the damage it causes to various organs. However, patients who act consciously about diabetes and comply with treatment can continue their lives without decreasing their quality of life.
THE NUMBER OF DIABETES IS INCREASING
Turkish Endocrinology and Metabolism Association According to the results of the TURDEP II (2010) study, the first of which was conducted in 1997-1998, the rate of diabetes in Turkey increased to 13.7%. The most striking thing among the figures is that almost half of the 6.5 million diabetic patients were added to the list as new diabetic patients.
“Weight problem is one of the main factors causing Type 2 diabetes, which is more common in society. Because diabetes is a disease associated with obesity and body fat. Of course, there are many reasons for obesity. Inactivity, increased hours of watching TV and nutritional problems are the main ones. Imagine that Type 2 diabetes is now seen even in children. It used to be divided into Type 1 and Type 2, but now this distinction is not as sharp as it used to be.”
ARE YOU IN RISK GROUPS?
In diabetes, which initially progresses as an insidious disease, groups with risk factors are of great importance. For example, those with a family history of diabetes, overweight, hypertension patients, heart patients and those with cholesterol problems stand out as the most risky groups. Dr. Erdal Kan says that at this point, screening tests to be applied to risk groups enable early diagnosis of possible diabetes histories. Dr. Blood; He touches on another important point: “We define the period when the risk of diabetes increases as pre-diabetes. In this period, popularly known as 'hidden diabetes', the patient's risk of diabetes increases. sleeping. We attach great importance to pre-diabetes; Because during this period, many steps such as taking some precautions, using some medications, changing your lifestyle or going on a diet prevent a possible diabetes.”
If there is a constant feeling of hunger after meals, if there is excessive thirst, sudden If there has been weight loss, you may suspect increased blood sugar. However, if the blood sugar measurement is normal and the patient's weight and physical examination results are correct, there is no need to worry. If the patient's Body Mass Index is over 30, if there is diabetes in the family, if there is a history of hyperlipidemia, hypertension or heart disease, screening tests and sugar loading tests come into play. Pointing out that the sugar loading test is a process that also shows whether the person has pre-diabetes or not, Dr. Erdal Kan said, “The person's fasting sugar may be normal, but you cannot understand whether he or she has pre-diabetes without doing a sugar loading test. With this test, it is possible to determine whether the person has pre-diabetes or not. "If you have pre-diabetes, it is possible to find out how close you are to diabetes," he says.
2 HABITS THAT CHALLENGE DIABETES!
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Regular exercise
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Healthy diet
WHAT TO CONSIDER IN THE PRE-DIABETES PERIOD?
“During the pre-diabetes period, it may sometimes be necessary to use medications that slow down the progression to diabetes. However, before using medication, we recommend our patients to improve their nutrition and be active. If the patient applies these and manages to achieve and maintain a certain weight control, he does not need medication anyway. The important thing is to maintain weight control during pre-diabetes. It is worth remembering that the frightening complications of diabetes can be prevented with good follow-up and patient compliance. Because the important thing is to keep blood sugar at a certain level,” said Dr. Erdal Kan said, “We cannot change the genetic factors that cause diabetes, but we can challenge diabetes by changing our lifestyle. "Taking precautions with necessary screening tests, especially in the pre-diabetes period, known as prediabetes, reduces the risk of catching diabetes early," he continues.
ADD “MOVEMENT” TO YOUR LIFE!
Exercise, in addition to burning calories, is an important activity that increases the body's insulin response, lowers blood sugar and reduces the need for medication. Medicana International Samsun Hospital Endocrinology and Metabolism Specialist Dr. Erdal Kan says that exercise improves circulation in the legs and arms, which can often be affected in diabetic patients, while also lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. He gives an important list of suggestions and tips on how to do exercises and what to pay attention to while exercising:
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Start your exercise slowly and at a low speed and gradually increase the tempo. Do not overexert yourself.
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Always carry a letter, bracelet, etc. stating that you are a diabetic. carry it.
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Walk 3-5 times a week.
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If you have a foot problem, do exercises that put less stress on your feet, such as swimming and cycling. Prefer sports.
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Keep your sports shoes and sports clothes in places where you can see them at all times. This way, exercise will always be on your mind.
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Check your feet frequently (redness, blisters, etc.).
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During the exercise. Keep glucose source foods with you.
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Avoid exercising late at night, do not exercise alone.
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Use a pedometer and aim for 10000 steps. . Scientific studies show that people who use pedometers take 2500 more steps and lose more weight than those who do not use them.
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Drink enough water.
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Measure your blood sugar before and after exercise.
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