Treat Type 2 Diabetes at the Root - Treat Insulin Resistance
Introduction to Type 2 Diabetes
- Food is digested in the stomach and broken down to sugar.
- Sugar is absorbed in the bloodstream.
- The pancreas produced a hormone, called insulin. Insulin acts like a key, it helps to open up “doors” of the body cells (muscles, fatty tissues, liver) so that sugar can enter and be used or stored in these cells as energy.
- Diabetes occurs when insulin is not working properly at the body cells or when there is insufficient insulin production. This causes sugar to accumulate in the blood.
How to Manage Type 2 Diabetes
- Monitor your blood glucose levels - Regular monitoring will reveal whether you are in control of your diabetes.
- Medication - Take medicine as advised by your doctor.
- Regular exercise - Undertake at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily.
- Healthy diet - Eat high fibre foods, fruits and vegetables, reduce fat intake.
Insulin Sensitizer - The Hope for Type 2 Diabetes
- Currently, there is no cure for diabetes.
- Conventionally oral medicine available, treat mainly the symptom of high blood sugar.
The good news is that there is now a new breakthrough oral medicine that treats insulin resistance.
The Glitazones A new class of oral medicine
- Treats Insulin Resistance, by sensitizing the body cells to its own insulin and improve absorption of blood sugar.
- Does not overwork the pancreas over time.
- Reduces the risk factors that could lead to heart diseases (eg. High blood pressure, high cholesterol).
- Convenient dose regimen - Once-daily dosing, no need to take with meals.
- Minimal side effects.
The 1998 National Survey showed that 62% of Singaporeans with Type 2 Diabetes were unaware that they had the disease.
Who is at risk and how often should you be tested?
- Age 30 years and above with any of the risk factors
- Obesity (*BMI > 27kg/m^2)
- High blood pressure
- Relative with diabetes
- Suffered diabetes
- Coronary heart disease
Test every 1 - 3 years
- Age 40 or above
Test every 3 years
If you or someone you know is in the risk group, ask your doctor to screen for diabetes.
Insulin Resistance: The Root Cause of Type 2 Diabetes
- Insulin Resistance is a condition whereby the body cells become less sensitive to insulin. This condition acts as a barrier for sugar to enter the cells.
- Initially, the pancreas will produce more insulin to overcome insulin resistance. Over time, the pancreas loses its function function of insulin production, causing blood sugar levels to rise. Hence the onset of Type 2 Diabetes.
Why is Insulin Resistance a Concern?
Beside diabetes, Insulin Resistance also cause heart diseases.
Diabetes Complications
Heart Diseases
1 in 3 diabetics in Singapore suffer from heart problems (eg. Heart attacks, stroke, high blood pressure)
The estimated cost is $7000 per year for managing heart diseases and diabetes.
Blindness (or Retinopathy)
1 out of 5 diabetics in Singapore are in danger of losing their sight!
Kidney Failure
2 out of 5 diabetics in Singapore require kidney dialysis.
The estimated cost of managing kidney dialysis is $12,400 per year!
Amputation
Over 700 amputations are performed annually in Singapore due to diabetes.
Diabetics are at risk of long-term infections and gangrene leading to amputation!
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