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| Diabetes |
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| What
Is Diabetes? |
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| Diabetes and Sugar |
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Diabetes is a disorder in which
there is too much sugar (glucose) in the blood. |
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A substance called insulin carefully regulates
the amount of sugar in the blood in a normal person. Insulin
is produced by the pancreas, which is a gland. In diabetes,
not enough insulin is produced, or the action of insulin is
not effective. Sugar therefore accumulates to a high level in
the blood. |
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Sugar comes from the food
eaten eg. bread, rice and potatoes. |
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The body uses sugar to produce energy. |
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The body needs insulin to keep sugar
at normal levels. |
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The diabetic cannot produce enough insulin
of its own, or the action of insulin is not effective. |
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| Who gets diabetes? |
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About 9.2% of the adult populations
in Singapore have diabetes. Diabetes can affect people of any
age or race but 90% of diabetics are over 40 years old. |
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| Who are at risk? |
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Family history of diabetes. |
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Overweight. |
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More than 40 years old. |
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| Types of Diabetes Mellitus |
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Type 1 |
Type 2 |
GDM (gestational) |
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Mainly in Children
Young adults |
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Usually more
than 40 years |
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Women of
childbearing age |
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| (However, both type 1 and 2 can occur
at any age) |
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| Onset |
Sudden |
Gradual |
During pregnancy |
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Autoimmune,
Triggered by certain
Viral infection |
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| Family history of diabetes,
Obesity, Age, IGT, GDM |
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Family history of diabetes,
previous GDM |
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Insulin and lifestyle
Modification |
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| Lifestyle modification with or without
tablets If these fail, insulin injections may be needed |
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| Medical nutrition therapy with insulin |
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| How do you know if you may have diabetes? |
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If you have one or
more of the following symptoms on a recurring basis, you should
see your doctor. Be especially alert if there is a history of
diabetes in your family, or if you are overweight. |
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Frequent passing
of urine |
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Excessive thirst |
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Increased hunger |
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| Rapid weight loss |
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General weakness
and fatigue |
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Blurred vision |
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