Some three per cent of the 2,000 people who took part in a nationwide blood glucose monitoring initiative earlier this year were advised to consult a doctor.

The campaign, Tackling Diabetes Through Prevention, is spearheaded by the Maltese Diabetes Association and the Diabetes and Endocrine Centre in collaboration with ATG Limited, the local representatives of One Touch Meters.

People were invited to test their blood glucose levels for free at six polyclinics, the offices of three local councils and at three shopping arcades. More than 2,000 people aged between 20 and 80 turned up in the span of four hours.

Nearly three per cent of them were recommended to visit a doctor for further investigation because their random blood sugar readings exceeded 8mmol/l.

One per cent of people aged 50 or more who are already being treated for type two diabetes had high random readings of glucose levels in the blood.

“This confirms the need to raise awareness on diabetes not only for those who are still unaware they may be living with diabetes but also for those who are already taking medication but still do not have their diabetes under control”, Malta Diabetes Association president Anna Zammit McKeon said.

Nearly 12 per cent of the population suffer from diabetes but there are others who have yet to be diagnosed.

It is important that people, especially those over 35, have their glucose levels tested every year.

If untreated, diabetes is a very serious and potentially fatal disease. Complications of diabetes include problems with kidneys, nerves, feet and eyes. Other long-term problems can lead to skin and digestive problems, sexual dysfunction and problems with teeth and gums.

Fortunately, the risk can be effectively reduced by proper medical care. But prevention, as always, is better than cure.

www.diabetesmalta.org

Diabetes in simple terms

Diabetes is a disorder that affects the way the body uses food for energy.

Normally, sugar is digested and broken down to a simple sugar, known as glucose. The glucose then circulates in your blood where it waits to enter cells to be used as fuel. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, helps move the glucose into cells.

A healthy pancreas adjusts the amount of insulin based on the level of glucose. However, if you have diabetes this process breaks down and blood sugar levels become too high.

There are two main types of diabetes. People with type one diabetes are completely unable to produce insulin while those with type two can produce insulin but their cells do not respond to it.

In both cases, the glucose cannot move into the cells and blood glucose levels can be­come high. Over time, these high glucose levels can cause serious complications.

The most common warning signs of diabetes:

• Acute thirst and increased hunger
• Numbness or tingling in hands or feet
• Blurred vision
• Frequent urination
• Frequent infections
• Slow-healing wounds; Fatigue

Complications of diabetes

Type one and type two diabetes are chronic. If they’re not monitored and managed carefully, they could lead to very high blood sugar levels that could result in long-term damage:

Damage to the eye retina could lead to vision loss.

Kidney disease could result in kidney failure and the need for dialysis or kidney transplant.

Cardiovascular disease accounts for 50 per cent or more of diabetes fatalities.

Nerve disease could lead to ulceration and amputation of the toes, feet and lower limbs.

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