Diabetes Management

Diabetes is caused by a buildup of sugar in the bloodstream due to genetic predispositions or other factors such as lifestyle habits.

There are 3 types of diabetes, namely:

• Type 1 diabetes
  
  Type 1 diabetes is similar to Type 2 diabetes and can be found in both adults and young children. However, there are often no signs of Type 1 diabetes in the patient until much later; and symptoms tend to onset suddenly. In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin and the patient must be administered with insulin daily.
  
  
• Type 2 diabetes
  
  Type 2 diabetes occurs due to the body’s inability to make use of insulin to effect cell processes and give us energy. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes in Singapore and is caused by excess body weight and being inactive or having a sedentary lifestyle.
  
  
• Gestational diabetes
  
  Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. It occurs when the patient has blood glucose levels above normal levels but are not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. Women with gestational diabetes are at risk of developing complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Both themselves and their children may be prone to Type 2 diabetes later in life.

Some early signs and symptoms of diabetes:

• Dry mouth
• Blurred vision
• Extreme fatigue
• Slow-healing sores or cuts
• Consistently feeling hungrier than usual
• Tingling, pain or numbness in the hands/ feet
  
  

Those with a high BMI and strong family history of diabetes are more likely to develop the condition. Consider scheduling a teleconsultation to talk about screening for diabetes mellitus.

If you have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and need medication refills or specific blood tests, we also provide medicine delivery and blood tests at home.

• Adults aged 45 and up
  
  Insulin resistance (caused by visceral fat in overweight patients) and decline in the body’s pancreatic function can occur as you get older.
  
  
• Those with a BMI of 23 and above
  
  This risk is increased if you have a sedentary lifestyle.
  
  
• Those with a family history of diabetes
  
  This risk is increased if you have a sedentary lifestyle.
  
  

For those diagnosed with prediabetes (blood glucose level is higher than normal) – you may be at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, as well as heart attacks and stroke if your condition worsens due to poor self-management.

Diabetes is typically diagnosed during a screening test where your blood glucose levels are examined for any abnormalities (fasting blood glucose test or blood glucose test). You may also be tested for cholesterol levels in your blood as well as a full blood count. It is crucial that as soon as you notice any symptoms of having high blood sugar levels, you are scheduled for an appointment with a trained professional. This way, you can arrange for a blood test at home, and/or seek medical attention for diabetes to be able to better manage it on your own.

In Singapore, diabetes can be managed the following ways:

• Introduce more whole grains into your meals
• Reduce sugar and saturated fat intake
• Incorporate physical activity into your daily routine
• Keep blood pressure and cholesterol levels within normal range
• Stay away from cigarette smoking
  
  

Some patients may need medication alongside the aforementioned guidelines. For patients with Type 1 diabetes, insulin shots will be prescribed to help replace the insulin that your body is unable to produce on its own.