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Diabetes Mellitus

What is Diabetes Mellitus?

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  • Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease with disordered metabolism.

  • Occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or the body cannot effectively use the insulin.

  • Leading to an increased concentration of glucose in the blood

  • Increases the risk of cerebrovascular disease, heart diseases, foot gangrene, retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy.

 

Diabetes in Hong Kong

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  • Top ten of the killer in Hong Kong

  • One in ten of the adult suffers from Diabetes

  • 728 died of diabetes in 2004 : 43% and 57% Female (DHHK 2006)

 

Causes of Diabetes Mellitus

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  • No definite cause found yet

  • Genetic or personal reason

  • Some drug or disease - cause pancreatic damage / affect pancreatic function in secreting insulin

 

Risk factors

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  • Genetic factor: Family history of DM

  • Obesity

  • Getting older usually after 45 years of age

  • History of gestational diabetes or having big baby

  • Lack of exercise

  • Smoking, drinking too much alcohol

  • People with cardiovascular diseases

  • People who has endocrine disease, pancreatic disease; and those taking steroid.

 

Common symptoms

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Many notice the disease only when the complications arise     

  

  • >70% do not know they got DM

  • When blood sugar is high

   -  Frequent urination, especially at night

   -  Thirsty all the time

   -  General tiredness

   -  Weight loss

   -  Blurred

  • Increase appetite and feel hungry easily

 

Prevention

 

  • Eat balanced diet (more high fiber food: vegetable, fruit, cereals, whole grain)

  • Do regular exercise

  • Maintain ideal body weight

  • Avoid eating too much at one time to prevent accumulation of calorie and body fat

  • Avoid food that is too sweet and too oily

  • Parents should encourage children to develop good eating habit

 

Treatment

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  • Early stage: consult dietitian, healthy diet, exercise

  • If unsatisfactory control: Oral hypoglycaemic agent

  • Later stage: may need insulin injection

Useful Links:

The Family Planning Association of Hong Kong

Smoking Cessation Programme

United Christian Nethersole Community Health Service 

Centre for Health Protection Hong Kong  

Hospital Authority

Race Relations Unit

 2344 3019

5622 1771

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