Malaysians urged to pay attention to diabetes - Dr Noor Hisham
10/11/2021
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 -- The Health Ministry (MOH) has called on Malaysians to continue to pay attention to personal health relating to diabetes, even though the country is still battling the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health director-general, Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, said that one in five individuals in the country, aged 18 and above, were reported to have diabetes in 2019, without their knowledge, based on the findings in the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2019.
“The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that approximately 463 million adults worldwide have diabetes in 2019.
“Those suffering from diabetes are also at higher risk of serious complications if infected with COVID-19,” he said in a statement posted on Facebook today.
In conjunction with the 2021 National World Diabetes Day celebration, themed 'Access to Diabetes Care: If Not Now, When?' today, he urged Malaysians to look after their health, so that early prevention of diabetes can be achieved.
“Therefore, it is the responsibility of we Malaysians to look after our health, because our health belongs to us and is our shared responsibility. Know and understand the risk factors, signs and symptoms of diabetes so that early prevention and treatment can be done.
“Do regular health check-ups especially as you get older and have a family history of diabetes. Usually, people don't realise they have diabetes until they undergo a health check-up or show early signs of diabetes,” he said.
Also shared are basic components of diabetes care that include access to medication and insulin treatment, self-monitoring, education and psychosocial and healthy eating, as well as physical activity.
This year’s theme also coincides with 100 years of the discovery of insulin to treat diabetes.
MOH also called on all health personnel, statutory bodies, voluntary organisations, universities and all parties to play their respective roles to reduce the risks and complications of diabetes.
-- BERNAMA
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Diabetes Symptoms
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Get your blood sugar tested if you have any of the symptoms of diabetes.
If you have any of the following diabetes symptoms, see your doctor about getting your blood sugar tested:
Urinate (pee) a lot, often at night
Are very thirsty
Lose weight without trying
Are very hungry
Have blurry vision
Have numb or tingling hands or feet
Feel very tired
Have very dry skin
Have sores that heal slowly
Have more infections than usual
Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes
People who have type 1 diabetes may also have nausea, vomiting, or stomach pains. Type 1 diabetes symptoms can develop in just a few weeks or months and can be severe. Type 1 diabetes usually starts when you’re a child, teen, or young adult but can happen at any age.
Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes symptoms often take several years to develop. Some people don’t notice any symptoms at all. Type 2 diabetes usually starts when you’re an adult, though more and more children and teens are developing it. Because symptoms are hard to spot, it’s important to know the risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Make sure to visit your doctor if you have any of them.
Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) usually doesn’t have any symptoms. If you’re pregnant, your doctor should test you for gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. If needed, you can make changes to protect your health and your baby’s health.
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