FEATURED EXPERT DR GAN TECK SHENG
Consultant Dermatologist
Tung Shin Hospital
The stakes are high when it comes to diabetes management.
High blood sugar is not just a number; it affects various bodily components, including your skin.
For many, a skin problem serves as an early warning sign of diabetes. Those elevated glucose levels are often the culprits behind the dry, itchy skin.
But here is the lifestyle twist–many individuals living with diabetes are not aware of the vital role that proper skin care plays. It is not just about administering insulin and watching your diet; it is about a comprehensive approach to well-being that includes your skin.
GENERAL SKIN CARE
Use gentle cleanser when bathing or showering.
Avoid bar soaps as they strip away natural oils and disrupt skin barrier function.
Also avoid cleansers that contain perfumes and harsh detergents as they may cause irritation and redness to the skin. Instead, use gentle cleansers to help maintain hydration and prevent skin dryness.
Bathe or shower the right way.
Use lukewarm water as hot water strips away natural oils and damages the skin.
Keep your baths or showers short, ideally no longer than 10 minutes.
Dry your skin carefully.
After a bath or shower, dry your skin with gentle pats.
Remember to dry the skin between your toes, armpits and other skin folds. Intertrigo—rashes and inflammation caused by skin-to-skin friction—occurs more easily in warm moist environments.
Apply moisturizer every day.
Keep your skin moisturized and prevent cracks that lead to infection.
Pick a hypoallergenic, fragrance-free moisturizing cream or ointment.
Apply after bathing or when your skin is dry or itchy.
FOOT CARE
Check your feet daily.
First, dry your feet carefully.
Make sure to check between your toes and your feet for rashes, cuts, sores, or any other changes to the skin.
Use a mirror if you cannot see your soles.
Wear shoes that fit well.
Always wear shoes and socks to avoid injury.
Wear closed, well-fitting shoes with cushioned sole.
Check if there is any object or pebble inside your shoes before putting them on.
Treat dry, cracked heels.
Apply urea cream on dry, cracked hills every day before getting into bed. This will help in preventing the development of non-healing sores and serious skin infections.
Take care of your toenails.
Keep your toenails short and trim them straight across.
Gently smooth any sharp edges with a nail file.
Do not let the sides of your toenails grow into the skin.
See a doctor for treatment of corns and calluses on your feet.
Do not remove corns or calluses with sharp objects. Any skin injury on the feet may increase the risk of ulcers and infection, especially patients with diabetic neuropathy.
Be cautious when using over-the-counter products, as these products may irritate your skin.
Treat all wounds immediately.
Wash wounds with antiseptic and water.
Only apply antibiotic cream if recommended by your doctor.
Cover the wound with an adhesive bandage.
Perform daily dressing to help your skin heal.
SEE A DOCTOR IF YOU EXPERIENCE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING
Reddish and swollen skin.
Pain or tenderness.
Honey-coloured crusts.
Change in the colour and temperature of your feet.
On 10 July 2023, the Seremban Diabetes (SeDia) Cohort Study, was officially launched by Duli Yang Maha Mulia Yang Di Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir in Seremban.
PURPOSE OF THE SeDia COHORT STUDY
This study was launched to holistically explore all the factors involved in the development of diabetes as well as the complications experienced by people with diabetes in this country.
THE HISTORY OF THE STUDY
The genesis of the SeDia Cohort Story began on 17 May 2022 when the Ministry of Health Malaysia and the International Medical University signed a memorandum of understanding for the establishment of this study.
The research protocol of the study received the approval of the Medical Research and Ethics Committee (MREC) on 17 March 2023.
OVER 12,000 PARTICIPANTS SIGNED UP TO AID INVESTIGATION
This SeDia Cohort Study will cover a period of 12 years.
The first important step now is to obtain data that is socio-culturally relevant to the local community. So far, over 5,000 patients and over 7,000 of their family members have voluntarily registered as part of the Diabetes Registry of Klinik Kesihatan Seremban.
The investigators will use digital systems and data infrastructure to collect these participants’ personal and medical information.
Blood samples will also be obtained from these participants for genetic profiling, to study individual predisposition to diabetes and, for people with diabetes, their predisposition to complications and response to medications as well as physical and dietary interventions.
These participants will be followed regularly, with the process of data collection conducted every 3 years over the next 12 years.
Additionally, details of the participants’ life events, such as hospital admission and deaths, will be collected and updated every year.
STUDY HOPES TO IMPROVE DIABETES PREVENTION & MANAGEMENT IN MALAYSIA
Using the data obtained from these participants, the investigators will study and analyze the complex web of factors that contribute to the development of diabetes and its complications.
These factors include genetics and family history of diabetes to lifestyle and environmental factors, dietary regimes, physical activity, socio-economic levels, and healthcare delivery.
The investigators believe that the understanding of these complex factors and the connection between them would enable us to uncover optimal strategies for diabetes prevention and treatment.
Such strategies would enable implementation of evidence-based policies and programmes to address the escalating burden of diabetes in Malaysia.
ACCESS WILL BE GRANTED TO LOCAL & INTERNATIONAL RESEARCHERS
To establish the SeDia Cohort as a study of national significance, local and international researchers will be granted access to SeDia Cohort to conduct further analysis and studies, subject to approval of the MREC.
FUNDING INFORMATION
The SeDia Cohort study will be funded through public funds, which includes contributions from corporations and individuals.
FEATURED EXPERT DR PEH KHAIK KEE
Consultant Ophthalmologist and Vitreoretinal Surgeon
Sunway Medical Centre
DIABETES IS THE MOST COMMON CAUSE OF BLINDNESS AMONG WORKING-AGE ADULTS
“1 in 5 Malaysians is diabetic, which equals to an estimated 4.6 million Malaysians, and diabetic eye disease affects 1 in 3 diabetics. That means about 500,000 of these people will experience vision-threatening eye disease,” says Dr Peh Khaik Kee.
DIABETIC RETINOPATHY IS A DIABETES-LINKED EYE DISEASE THAT CAN LEAD TO VISION LOSS
According to Dr Peh, diabetes affects the eye in several ways:
It causes changes to the lens, leading to blurry vision.
Increased pressure in the eye can lead to glaucoma.
Damages the nerves that control the eye muscles, giving rise double vision.
Damages the blood vessels in the retina, leading to diabetic retinopathy.
Overview of diabetic retinopathy. Click on the image for a larger, clearer version.
Dr Peh shares: “Diabetic retinopathy has become of epidemic proportions. A large part of this issue is due to poor awareness. Many people with diabetes do not undergo regular eye exams to check for signs of the condition.”
REGULAR EYE EXAMS ARE IMPORTANT BECAUSE EARLY STAGE DIABETIC RETINOPATHY DOES NOT SHOW ANY SYMPTOMS
Vision loss occurs at late-stage diabetic retinopathy—this is when most people affected by this disease seeks medical help.
Dark spots floating around in the person’s vision (floaters) are a possible symptom of diabetic retinopathy.
Unfortunately, the vision loss is permanent, and at that stage, there is little to be done to improve the person’s eyesight.
On the other hand, should diabetic retinopathy be detected at its early stages, treatment can be prescribed to help slow down or stop the vision loss over time.
“That is where the importance of screening comes in,” Dr Peh said.
EYE SCREENING FOR DIABETIC RETINOPATHY IS MORE COMFORTABLE THESE DAYS
In the past, such screening can involve staring at a bright light for up to 5 minutes for each eye, which can be very uncomfortable for some people.
Dr Peh shares that the eye screening process has improved since. “These days we have ultra-widefield fundus cameras that can capture a single, 150-degree field view of the retina; 3 times more field view than a standard camera.”
He adds that the camera captures images in under 1 minute, with up to 98% accuracy in detecting and grading retina disease when combined with targeted slit-lamp examination.
Thus, the screening process is faster and hence the person undergoing screening will have a more comfortable experience, while at the same time offering a high accuracy rate in detecting diabetic retinopathy.
EYE SCREENING MAKES A DIFFERENCE
“Diabetic eye screening was formally initiated in the UK in 2009, and by 2014, diabetes is no longer the commonest cause of blindness in working adults in the UK. That is the difference that screening makes,” says Dr Peh.
WHO SHOULD GO FOR EYE SCREENING?
Dr Peh encourages those with a family history of diabetes to have their blood sugar screened, and those diagnosed with diabetes should see an ophthalmologist to have their retina examined.
FEATURED EXPERT DR NIZAR ABDUL MAJEED KUTTY
Senior Lecturer
Department of Physiotherapy
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR)
People with diabetes are living longer now, which is incredibly exciting. Still, they are vulnerable to accelerated muscle loss or sarcopenia, an often-overlooked condition that occurs in people with type 2 diabetes.
MUSCLE LOSS IS NORMAL WHEN WE AGE
It is normal for individuals to lose 3% to 8% of their muscle mass per decade beginning at age 30, and the rate of decline is even higher after the about age 60. Muscle strength declines even more rapidly; at a rate of 3% to 4% per year in men and 2.5% to 3% per year in women by the age of 75.
HOWEVER, PEOPLE WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES ARE LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE ACCELERATED MUSCLE LOSS OR SARCOPENIA
While some muscle loss is typical, sarcopenia refers to a condition of accelerated muscle loss.
An overview of sarcopenia compared to healthy muscle mass. Click on the image to get a larger, clearer version.
Earlier definitions of sarcopenia focused exclusively on loss of muscle mass as the key determinant of the condition, but more recent definitions have recognized that muscle strength and function are equally important for predicting adverse outcomes.
Thus, newer definitions for sarcopenia have included low walking speed and grip strength alongside low muscle mass.
Sarcopenia is associated with an increased risk of falls, functional decline, frailty, and mortality.
THE LINK BETWEEN SARCOPENIA AND TYPE 2 DIABETES
The link is well established.
In a study of Korean adults, 15.7% of participants with diabetes were found to have sarcopenia, compared with just 6.9% of participants without diabetes.
A later study led by the same author, also in Korea, produced similar findings: in a sample of 414 adults aged 65 or older, participants with type 2 diabetes had significantly lower muscle mass.
A link between low muscle mass and diabetes has been found in several other populations as well.
Multiple studies have also linked diabetes to reduced muscle strength. The effect sizes were smaller in women, but the trend was the same for both genders.
This association between sarcopenia and diabetes has led some researchers to argue that sarcopenia is probably one of the underlying mechanisms that explains the reduced functional ability and mobility that is often seen in older patients with type 2 diabetes.
HOW TYPE 2 DIABETES LEADS TO SARCOPENIA
While diabetes accelerates the process of muscle loss, the mechanisms aren’t yet thoroughly understood.
The presence of insulin resistance, which is the key feature of type 2 diabetes, appears to be a major pathway.
Inability to make new proteins at a rapid pace to replace muscles that have been degraded naturally
One of the key roles of insulin is to drive nutrients, such as glucose, from the blood into skeletal muscle tissues and stimulate protein synthesis.
In type 2 diabetes, however, insulin signaling is impaired; insulin is not able to effectively drive glucose into the muscle tissues, and the muscles cannot synthesize new protein rapidly enough to keep pace with natural muscle degradation.
Decreased function of mitochondria
The mitochondrion is the ‘energy plant’ structure in most cells of the body.
Individuals with diabetes frequently have decreased mitochondrial function, which appears to contribute to the impairment of muscle function.
Type 2 diabetes can damage the nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord, usually at the hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy)
Diabetes can promote sarcopenia via peripheral neuropathy. This condition can affect nerves that control proper muscle contraction.
Approximately 30% to 50% of diabetes mellitus patients experience peripheral neuropathy, and the condition has been shown to be an independent risk factor for sarcopenia in individuals with diabetes.
Other possible factors?
Still, other factors also may play a role in causing muscle loss in the context of diabetes.
Thus, a wide variety of factors likely contribute to the connection between diabetes and sarcopenia. Some data suggest that these varying mechanisms come into play even in individuals who are comparatively young or who are comparatively early in the disease process.
CAN LOWERING BLOOD GLUCOSE HELP PREVENT MUSCLE LOSS?
The growing body of research on the connection between diabetes and sarcopenia has raised an important question of whether lowering blood glucose help preserve muscle mass.
There’s currently little research on that question, but diabetes medications that control blood glucose levels likely do have a role to play in treating and preventing muscle loss among older adults with diabetes.
However, key clinical trials on which clinical management guidelines for blood glucose have been based on unfortunately often exclude the participation of older adults, so there’s no way to know at present.
Hence, future research is needed to better understand the effects of glucose-lowering on muscle mass in older adults.
THE ROLE OF EXERCISE
While diabetes medications may have a role to play in lowering blood glucose and in staving off muscle loss, no medication is as beneficial for treating sarcopenia as physical activity.
Physical activity is always recommended to promote fat loss and maintain muscle mass, both of which can improve glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
This recommendation applies equally to both younger and older adults.
Researchers especially recommend muscle strengthening exercise and resistance activities.
Progressive resistance training is the proven method for the prevention and improvement of sarcopenia.
Resistance exercises in more detail
Resistance training doesn’t require more than your own body weight.
Using resistance to engage the muscles causes a surge in growth-promoting hormones that signal the body to produce more muscle tissues.
Not only do these signals encourage the growth of new muscle tissue, but they also help to reinforce existing muscle tissues by making them stronger.
Some body weight resistance exercises that you can try include:
Push-ups; try an easier version with your knees on the ground, if you need to.
Planks.
Squats.
Lunges.
With progressive resistance training, you need to exercise your muscles against an increasing external force 2 to 3 times a week for at least 8 to 12 weeks.
This is progressive, meaning that the number of repetitions, sets, or load should be increased gradually over time based on your capabilities and progress.
As the resistance exercises programme develops, more advanced resistance exercises that can be done include barbells, kettlebells, and medicine balls or floor-based exercises.
In terms of exercise order, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends multi-joint exercises to be performed before single-joint exercises for a particular muscle group, and that within each session the larger muscle groups be exercised before smaller muscle groups.
As older adults with sarcopenia are also likely to be at an increased risk for falls and display reduced cardiorespiratory fitness, exercise programmes for them often involve a combination of exercise modes that includes resistance exercises, balance training and aerobic training.
For older adults with sarcopenia
Consider:
Walking around the block 4 to 5 times.
Do some weight lifting.
Sit on and get up from a chair as fast as possible and do this 10 times in a row and getting up ten times in a row as fast as possible.
If you are not used to being physically active, or you have health conditions that can affect your ability to exercise, consider consulting a physiotherapist or a personal trainer to advice. They can help you develop an exercise programme tailored to your needs, health status, and personal enjoyment.
FEATURED EXPERT DR KENNETH LAI KOAH KIEN
Consultant General Physician and Nephrologist
Bukit Tinggi Medical Centre
Diabetic kidney disease, also known as diabetic nephropathy, develops when one’s kidney has trouble filtering waste from the blood.
An overview of diabetic nephropathy. Click the image to view a larger, clearer version.
When left untreated, the affected kidney may eventually fail and one would need either a kidney transplant or dialysis.
SYMPTOMS USUALLY SHOW UP UNTIL THE DISEASE IS AT AN ADVANCED STAGE, AND BY THEN, IT CAN BE MUCH HARDER TO MANAGE
According to Dr Kenneth Lai Koah Kien, it can take many years for diabetes to substantially damage the kidneys.
“Even then, the symptoms usually don’t show up until late in the course of the disease,” he says.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS, ANYWAY?
Unusual weight gain
Swollen ankles
Nausea or vomiting
Frothy urine
Lethargy
Urine breath
Itching
Reduced appetite
Swelling of the leg.
Blurring of visions and floaters (the eye can also be affected by kidney disease)
SO, WHAT SHOULD SOMEONE WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES DO TO DETECT DIABETIC KIDNEY DISEASE EARLY?
Dr Kenneth recommends the following:
If you have other health conditions alongside type 2 diabetes, keep them well-controlled too along with your diabetes
“These patients would need to monitor their co-morbidities closely with their doctors. These include hypertension, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and smoking. All these are mercenaries of death together with diabetes,” he says.
Go for kidney disease screening
Recommended screening tests include:
A urine test called urine ACR to look for protein leakage
A simple blood test called serum creatinine test to look at kidney function
As for when one should start screening:
For type 2 diabetes, screening should start on the date of diagnosis.
For type 1 diabetes, screening should start 5 years after the onset of type 1 diabetes.
For the upcoming fasting month, we are pleased to share some important advice from the good people at Alpro Pharmacy.
WILL THE USE OF INHALERS INVALIDATE YOUR FASTING?
There are 2 types of inhalers: ‘preventer’ inhalers and ‘reliever’ inhalers. If you are unsure which of your inhalers is which, check with your doctor.
While fasting, you should continue to use your preventer inhalers, typically twice a day—before sahur and before you go to bed. It’s best to check with your doctor how often and when you should use your preventer inhaler.
Use your reliever inhalers when you have an asthma attack.
WILL FASTING PUT YOU AT RISK OF DEHYDRATION OR LOW BLOOD GLUCOSE (HYPOGLYCAEMIA)?
If you have diabetes, check your blood glucose 2 hours after sahur and when you experience symptoms such as dizziness, cold sweat, blurred vision, and shivering. Checking your blood glucose won’t invalidate your fasting.
If your blood glucose level is below 3.9 mmol/L, you will need to break your fast for the sake of your health.
People with diabetes shouldn’t delay breaking their fast. Keep some dates with you if you have diabetes and you’re fasting. That way, when you’re still stuck in traffic or at work during iftar, you can break your fast with 1 or 2 dates.
Eat foods rich in dietary fibre for optimal blood glucose control during the fasting month. Dietary fibre helps keep you feel full longer and stabilize your blood glucose levels.
HOW TO FAST WHEN YOU HAVE GASTRIC PROBLEMS
If you have gastric problems, break your fast by eating moderate amounts of foods.
Avoid eating fried foods and gassy drinks in too much amounts or too quickly.
Also, it’s best to avoid drinks that are high in caffeine, such as coffee.
FEATURED EXPERT DR LAU LAKE KOON
Dentist
Koks Dental Surgery
Most people with diabetes or those that have someone close to them that have this disease will know that the disease can harm many organs in the body—such as the eyes, nerves, kidneys, heart, and more.
DO YOU KNOW THAT DIABETES CAN AFFECT THE TEETH AND GUMS AS WELL?
People with diabetes are more likely to have:
Periodontal or gum disease
Persistent bad breath
Tooth decay or cavities
Oral fungal infections
Oral ulcers
Loss of teeth
Diabetes can cause increased levels of glucose in the blood as well as saliva
Progression of gum disease, from gingivitis to the more serious periodontitis. Click on the image to view a larger, clearer version.
The increase of glucose in the saliva encourages the growth of bacteria in the mouth and together with food particles can build soft sticky whitish layer called plaque.
Plaque is the yucky smelly stuff that you can scrape off from your teeth if you haven’t been cleaning them properly. It is the main cause of bad breath.
If left unchecked, the persistent plaque buildup can cause tooth decay and harden to form tartar.
Persistent plaque or tartar buildup causes irritation to the gums
The gums can become red and swollen, and bleeding may occur.
This is the first warning sign that it’s time to visit the dentist.
Comparison of normal tooth and a tooth with periodontitis. Click on the image for a larger, clearer version.
Otherwise, the infection will go deeper under the gums, causing infection of the bone structure supporting the teeth. This is periodontitis, the second stage of gum disease.
The gums will start to recede, trying to pull away from the tartar formed. Over time the teeth will become unstable, and one may experience pain as a result.
At the final stage of gum disease, the teeth will become so infected and painful that it may need to be removed
In poorly controlled diabetic cases, the gum disease may progress much faster. The severity of the condition may be worse, which is why it is important to visit the dentist early to resolve the issues.
Diabetes and certain drugs can reduce the production of saliva in our mouth
Our saliva contains minerals to protect our teeth from tooth decay, mucin to keep the teeth moist and slippery, antibacterial substances to eliminate potentially harmful bacteria, and it also has the ability to neutralize the acids produced by bacteria in our mouth.
Without the presence of saliva, there is a higher risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Dry mouth can increase the risk of developing fungal infections called thrush, which are painful white patches in the mouth.
In denture wearers, the dryness can decrease the suction effect of the denture and increase abrasion against the gums, leading to ulcers and mouth sores.
Smoking will worsen the condition further.
In severe uncontrolled diabetic cases, some people can develop burning mouth syndrome—a continuous burning sensation in the mouth that will alter taste and sensation.
HOW THE DENTIST CAN HELP YOU
Gingivitis or periodontitis
The dentist will need to carry out deep cleaning of the teeth and gums, in order to decrease the bacterial load and to allow the gums to heal.
However, the dentist can only do so much—you have to also keep good oral hygiene and use of mouthwash daily.
Fungal infections
Your dentist may prescribe some medications to kill the fungus responsible for the infection.
If you use dentures, they will be checked to ensure that they are still fitting properly. You must keep them clean in a disinfection solution at night.
Dry mouth
For most non-severe cases, the simplest solution is to keep your body well hydrated at all times. Drinking water regularly also moistens the mouth.
Only in severe cases are saliva substitutes prescribed.
Burning mouth syndrome is usually more complicated and will require specialist attention.
HELPFUL TIPS
A well controlled blood glucose level as well as a healthy diet and lifestyle are key to reducing and preventing oral health problems. Keeping your mouth healthy will also prevent diabetes-related health problems such as heart disease and kidney disease.
Good oral hygiene will keep your gums and teeth healthy. Brushing twice a day every day, and use a floss or water floss daily.
Visit your dentist regularly for a routine checkup. Please make sure you tell your dentist if you have diabetes. Keep your dentist updated about any changes to your health and blood sugar levels.
For denture wearers, make sure your dentures fit properly, and clean them by soaking them in denture disinfectant at night.
Quit smoking. Smoking will worsen gum condition and overall health.
Continuous glucose monitoring (often abbreviated as CGM) is basically a system that allows one’s blood glucose levels to be monitored automatically.
HELPS TO IMPROVE YOUR DIABETES MANAGEMENT
This system opens up a world of opportunities for better blood glucose management for people with type 1 diabetes as well as those on type 2 diabetes that require insulin.
After all, with information of their blood glucose levels that can be obtained immediately, they can make quick informed decisions about their food choices and the dosage of their insulin as well as when to administer it.
LETS YOU ANTICIPATE A POTENTIAL INCOMING MEDICAL EMERGENCY
The ability to observe the pattern of the rise and fall of their blood glucose also allows them to be alert of the possibility of a hypo- or hyperglycaemic episode, and take prompt measures accordingly.
NOT JUST FOR PEOPLE WITH DIABETES
Additionally, continuous glucose monitoring can also benefit people with kidney problems as well as pregnant women worried about gestational diabetes.
RECOMMENDED BY EXPERTS
It’s really not surprising, therefore, that the 23rd Hong Kong Diabetes and Cardiovascular Risk Factors—East Meets West Symposium reported a growing consensus on the definitions and targets of continuous glucose monitoring metrics to allow healthcare professionals and people with diabetes to make full use of this system in diabetes management.
Indeed, the United Kingdom has already taken steps to do this.
All in all, this is a remarkable example of how technology is making diabetes management, which can be complex and confusing to some people, considerably easier to figure out and implement correctly!
Continuous glucose monitoring is a feature in certain types of blood glucose monitor or glucometer. You can talk to your doctor or your pharmacist for more information on continuous glucose monitoring and whether you can benefit from using a glucometer that comes with this feature.
Reference: Oliver, N., Chow, E., Luk, A. O. Y., & Murphy, H. (2023). Applications of continuous glucose monitoring across settings and populations: report from the 23rd Hong Kong Diabetes and Cardiovascular Risk Factors – East Meets West Symposium. Diabetic medicine : a journal of the British Diabetic Association, e15038. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/dme.15038
FEATURED EXPERT LIM EN NI
Chief Pharmacist
Alpro Pharmacy
A recent weight loss trend among TikTok users is the use of the diabetes medication Ozempic, which gathered over a million views—and counting!—using the hashtag #ozempic and #ozempicjourney. Even Elon Musk credited it as one of the reasons he shed 13 kg.
Ozempic is actually one of the many brand names for semaglutide, an anti-diabetic medication used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and, in the United States, as anti-obesity medication for long-term weight management.
However, it is not the ultimate answer for obesity as it is a prescription medicine indicated for type 2 diabetes, which requires a patient to go get a complete medication review.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU MISUSE THIS MEDICATION?
Overdose of Ozempic or other similar prescription can cause low blood sugar or hypoglycaemia, which can lead to more health complications
Common side effects include gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and constipation
Other possible side effects include pancreatitis, changes in vision, low blood sugar, kidney failure and gallbladder issues.
Furthermore, it is not suitable for people with medullary thyroid cancer or certain endocrine disorders
THE GO-TO OPTION TO REDUCE BODY WEIGHT SHOULD ALWAYS BE LIFESTYLE & DIET MODIFICATION
Diet is the key component in weight management. Many people are aware of this, but only a few succeeded in making changes to their diet in order to achieve a healthy body weight.
This is because most people initiate the lifestyle and diet changes without proper planning and consultation from experts such as nutritionists and dietitians.
With proper consultation from nutritionist and dietitian, weight loss progression can be measured with a much higher success rate.
Dietitian can personalize weight management plan effectively and safely while taking into account the underlying contributing factor needs to be addressed for each individual.
THE RISK OF BUYING OZEMPIC FROM UNLICENSED OR ILLEGAL SOURCES WITHOUT A PROPER PRESCRIPTION
In cases where one requires Ozempic, it should only be used under a doctor’s prescription and purchased from a licensed pharmacy.
Members of the public should keep in mind to not purchase this drug online via illegal sources as this puts their health at risk health.
They will also subject genuine people with diabetes that need this medication to unnecessary distress, should the medication run out of stock due to the self-prescribing habit of the netizens.
Another issue of note is that this medication has to be handled with care under tight temperature control as it is a cold chain medicine. Once the cold chain is broken, the efficacy may be affected and may also cause unwanted side effects.
The theme of World Diabetes Day in 2022 is Education to Protect Tomorrow, which calls for the need for better access to quality diabetes education for healthcare professionals and people living with diabetes.
During the recent World Diabetes Day (WDD) 2022 celebration in Putrajaya, which was jointly organized by the Endocrine Institute of Putrajaya Hospital, the Malaysian Endocrine & Metabolic Society (MEMS), and Novo Nordisk Pharma Malaysia, the experts present reflected on the need to raise public awareness among Malaysians on diabetes.
After all, the latest National Health and Morbidity Survey reported 1 in 5 adult Malaysians has type 2 diabetes!
EFFORTS NEED TO BE DOUBLED TO STOP RISING PREVALENCE
Dato’ Dr Asmayani Khalib, the Deputy Director-General (Medical), Ministry of Health Malaysia, said: “The rising number of people affected by diabetes is putting added strain on healthcare systems. Healthcare professionals require quality diabetes education on how to detect and diagnose the condition early and provide the best possible care; while people living with diabetes need access to ongoing education to understand their condition and carry out the daily self-care essential to staying healthy and avoiding complications.”
Datuk Dr. Zanariah bt Hussein, the Head of the Endocrinology Subspecialty Service of the Malaysian Ministry of Health, felt that, as more Malaysians are diagnosed with diabetes, current efforts need to be doubled to stop this rising number from escalating further.
“Access to quality diabetes education is a goal we must all strive in, to educate and empower not only patients and the community but also family members who are providing support and care,” she said.
DIABETES EDUCATION KEY TO SUSTAINABLE LONG-TERM DIABETES CARE
“The focus on access to diabetes education is a critical aspect that will enable sustainable long-term care, with both healthcare providers and people living with diabetes receiving quality diabetes education,” said Richard Abela, the Vice President and General Manager of Novo Nordisk Pharma Malaysia. “This is an essential component of diabetes care as we develop a patient-centric approach in care, that is sustainable for lifelong chronic disease management.”
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