What is diabetis?
A condition when a person’s sugar (glucose) in the blood exceeds the normal level for
a long period. Diabetes occurs when the pancreas fails to produce sufficient insulin or
the body is unable to use the insulin produced effectively. If ignored, diabetes can cause
serious complications.
Main types of diabetes
Type 1 diabetes
 Normally found in children or teenagers
 Can be controlled with only insulin injections, controlled diet and exercise
Type 2 diabetes



Normally occurs in adults aged 40 years and above and individuals who are
overweight
Usually can be controlled only with controlled diet and exercise or combination of
diet, exercise and medication
Has a family history of diabetes
Type 3 (Gestational) diabetes
 This condition is temporary
 Usually occurs owing to hormonal change during pregnancy
Statistics
“55% of patients in Malaysia who experienced kidney failure started of by having
diabetes”
Dr Ghazali Ahmad in World Kidney Day 2010 (Starmetro, Friday 2 April 2010)
“Di Negara kita, 50% kes penyakit salur darah berlaku pada pesakit kencing manis
dan ia meningkat dua kali ganda dalam tempoh lima tahun berikutan
pertambahan mendadak kes kencing manis”
Dr R Vijeyasingam, Perunding Pembedahan & Hepatobilari dan Vaskular
Hospital Assunta (Metro Ahad, 28 Mac 2010)
“More than 15% of the diabetic patients develop foot problems”
Dr Mohan, Chairman and diabetologist of Diabetes Specialties Centre, Chennai
& Hyderabad
Sign and symptoms
What happens if I don’t take care?
Diabetes can cause blood vessel and nerve damage if uncontrolled over time. These
may cause complications like:









Loss of eye sight
Disease of the heart and blood flow
Kidney damage
Loss of resistance to skin, kidney and other infections
Impotence in men
Stroke
High blood pressure
Neuralgia (nerve problem)
Gangrene and sores resulting in amputation of the leg
Self Care










Eat regular, healthy meals and do not skip meals
Take your medication as directed
Control weight
o Consult our doctors/pharmacists on how to lose weight
Exercise regularly (30mins walk daily is ideal)
Only drink alcohol in moderation
Go for regular check-ups for blood pressure, blood glucose, kidney and liver
functions.
Foot care
o wear fitting and comfortable shoes
Eye care
o have an eye examination every 2 yrs
Quit- smoking
o Consult our doctors/pharmacists for further information.
Self-monitoring
o Consult our pharmacist for a simple home-used glucometer so that you
can monitor your blood glucose regularly.
Do I have diabetes?
Your doctor will need to take your medical history, conduct a physical examination and
test your blood before diabetes can be diagnosed.

Fasting blood glucose test
Diabetes is diagnosed if blood glucose level ≥7.0mmol/L


Random blood glucose test
Diabetes is suspected if blood glucose level ≥11.1mmol/L with signs and
symptoms
Oral glucose tolerance test
Diabetes is diagnosed if the blood glucose level is ≥11.1mmol/L 2 hrs after
drinking a 75g glucose solution.
HbA1c Test
HbA1c is a term often used in relation to diabetes and this guide explains what HbA1c
is, how it's used for diabetes diagnosis and how it differs from blood glucose levels.
What is HbA1c?
HbA1c occurs when haemoglobin joins with glucose in the blood. Haemoglobin
molecules make up the red blood cells in the blood stream. When glucose sticks to
these molecules it forms a glycoslated haemoglobin molecule – also known as A1c and
HbA1c. The more glucose found in the blood, the more haemoglobin will be present.
How does HBA1c return an accurate average measurement?
Due to the fact that red blood cells survive for 8-12 weeks before renewal, by measuring
HbA1c an average blood glucose reading can be returned. For non-diabetics, the usual
reading is 3.5-5.5%. For people with diabetes, an HbA1c level of 6.5% is considered
good control, although some prefer numbers closer to non-diabetis
Why measure HbA1c?
In addition to random fasting blood glucose levels, HbA1c levels are routinely measured
in the monitoring of people with diabetes. HbA1c levels depend on the blood glucose
concentration. That is, the higher the glucose concentration in blood, the higher the
level of HbA1c. Levels of HbA1c are not influenced by daily fluctuations in the blood
glucose concentration but reflect the average glucose levels over the prior six to eight
weeks. Therefore, HbA1c is a useful indicator of how well the blood glucose level has
been controlled in the recent past (over two to three months) and may be used to
monitor the effects of diet, exercise, and drug therapy on blood glucose in people with
diabetes.
In healthy people the HbA1c level is less than 6% of total hemoglobin. Studies have
demonstrated that the complications of diabetes can be delayed or prevented if the
HbA1c level can be kept below 7%. It is recommended that treatment of diabetes be
directed at keeping an individual's HbA1c level as close to normal as possible (<6%)
without episodes of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels).
HbA1c and DIABEGARD
Now DIABEGARD come out with a promotion. Free HbA1c Test!*
If you buy 3 bottles of 120 tablets you are qualified for HbA1c test*. Please make a call
to us to state your location and details. We will get an appointment with the nearest
laboratory which provides this service to you. Klang Valley residents,you can contact
WellAgain Klinik Holistic Healthcare in Bandar Sunway (03-5621 5288) for more
information on your free HbA1c .
*Terms & Condition apply