In my previous article we looked at cholesterol, another silent condition that can quietly damage our blood vessels for years before causing problems.
Now I’d like to talk about something that often goes hand in hand with high blood pressure and high cholesterol – diabetes.
If you ask most people what diabetes is, they’ll usually reply, “It’s high sugar.”
That’s true, but it’s only part of the story.
Diabetes isn’t really about sugar itself. It’s about what happens when your body can no longer deal with sugar properly.
Every time we eat, especially foods containing carbohydrates like rice, bread, noodles, potatoes and sweet drinks, our body breaks them down into glucose. Glucose is simply fuel. Every cell in our body needs it to produce energy.
To get that glucose from the bloodstream into our cells, we rely on a hormone called insulin.
Think of insulin as a key.
It unlocks the door so glucose can enter the cells where it is needed. Without enough insulin, or if the body stops responding to it properly, the glucose has nowhere to go. Instead, it stays in the bloodstream, causing blood sugar levels to rise.
That is diabetes.
One of the reasons diabetes is so common is because it develops slowly.
Unlike a broken bone or a severe infection, there is often no dramatic warning sign.
Many people feel completely normal.
I’ve met patients who were shocked when they were told they had diabetes during a routine health screening. They felt perfectly healthy, were still going to work every day and had no obvious symptoms whatsoever.
Others had been feeling tired for months but simply blamed it on getting older or working too hard.
Sometimes people notice they are thirstier than usual. They may need to pass urine more often, especially during the night. Some lose weight without trying. Others notice blurred vision or find that cuts take longer to heal.
But many people notice nothing at all.
That is why diabetes is often described as another silent disease.
Malaysia has seen diabetes become increasingly common over the past two decades. Changes in lifestyle, larger portion sizes, less physical activity and increasing rates of overweight and obesity have all played a part.
Of course, it’s not entirely about weight.
Some people develop diabetes despite being slim. Family history, age and ethnicity all influence risk, and for some people the odds are stacked against them before they even reach adulthood.
One question I hear surprisingly often is whether eating too much sugar directly causes diabetes.
The answer is more complicated than many people realise.
No, eating one piece of cake won’t give you diabetes.
Nor will enjoying dessert occasionally.
The problem is our overall lifestyle over many years.
A diet that’s consistently high in calories, combined with too little exercise, often leads to weight gain. Extra body fat, particularly around the waist, makes it harder for the body to respond to insulin. Over time, blood sugar levels begin to rise.
Sugary drinks deserve a special mention.
Many people don’t realise just how much sugar is hiding in flavoured coffees, bubble tea, canned drinks and fruit juices. It’s very easy to drink several hundred calories without ever feeling full.
Water remains one of the healthiest drinks you can choose.
Another myth is that once someone starts diabetes medication, they have somehow failed.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition. Many people manage it well with healthy eating, losing weight and becoming more active, particularly if it is diagnosed early. Others will eventually need tablets, and some will later require insulin.
That isn’t failure.
It’s simply the natural course of the disease for many people.
The important thing isn’t which treatment you need.
The important thing is keeping blood sugar under control.
Poorly controlled diabetes doesn’t usually hurt today.
The damage happens quietly over many years.
High blood sugar can gradually damage the tiny blood vessels in the eyes, kidneys and nerves. It also speeds up the narrowing of larger blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
That’s why doctors don’t just look at blood sugar.
They also keep an eye on blood pressure, cholesterol, kidney function, weight and smoking status.
All of these pieces fit together.
The encouraging news is that even small changes can have a surprisingly big impact.
Losing a little weight, walking more regularly, eating sensible portions, choosing whole foods more often and cutting back on sugary drinks can all improve blood sugar control. You don’t have to become a marathon runner or give up every food you enjoy.
Small, consistent changes usually beat dramatic diets that last only a few weeks.
If you’re over 40, have a close relative with diabetes, carry extra weight around your waist, have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, don’t wait until symptoms appear.
Ask your doctor whether it’s time for a simple blood test.
Finding diabetes early gives you the best chance of preventing the complications that worry us most.
One thing I’ve learned over the past 30 years as a pharmacist is that people often fear the diagnosis itself.
In reality, what we should fear is not knowing.
When diabetes is recognised early and managed well, most people continue to live full, active and healthy lives for many years.
Knowledge really is one of the best medicines we have.
Until next time, stay healthy, stay informed and, above all, take good care of yourself.
The Daily Durian (zaynp100@yahoo.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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