DIABETES NOT JUST ABOUT 'TOO MUCH SUGAR'

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- Diabetes is often perceived in Malaysia as merely a “sugar problem” caused by sweet foods and drinks, but for those affected, it is a serious lifelong condition that can quietly harm organs, disrupt hormones and even threaten limbs.

Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City (SMC) said in a statement today that despite being a common disease, diabetes still carries a stigma, with many people feeling judged and ignored, and worryingly, most young adults with diabetes are unaware that they have the condition.

“The National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023 shows that one in six adults in Malaysia has diabetes but also finds that 84 per cent of adults, from age 18 to 29, with diabetes do not know they have it,” the statement said. 

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Consultant endocrinologist at Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City, Dr Lim Chong Wei emphasises the importance of early detection, education and empathy. 

“It’s not just about sugar; it’s about the whole body. Diabetes is a chronic health condition, but it’s manageable. Taking it seriously early helps prevent serious complications. For many, it’s about changing the conversation before it’s too late,” he said in the statement. 

Dr Lim said diabetes can be controlled but complications often develop before symptoms appear, with kidney damage or diabetic nephropathy being among the most common.

He explained diabetic nephropathy often develops silently, with early signs such as protein in the urine that cannot be detected without laboratory testing, and patients who do not undergo regular screening usually discover the condition too late, when dialysis or even a kidney transplant is required.

Other complications include nerve damage, heart attacks, strokes, and even dementia with poorly controlled diabetes causing silent strokes and memory issues as early as the 50s, much earlier than in healthy individuals.

“I’ve had patients in their 30s coming in with a stroke or nerve problem, and only then we find out they’ve had undiagnosed type 2 diabetes for years,” Dr Lim said, dispelling the myth that diabetes is only caused by lifestyle.

He said some individuals develop diabetes due to genetic conditions, hormonal disorders such as Cushing’s syndrome or acromegaly, or long-term steroid use, which can cause weight gain and insulin resistance. The condition can also affect sexual hormones and reproductive health.

Dr Lim said men may experience erectile dysfunction and low testosterone levels, while women may face fertility issues linked to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Beyond physical complications, managing diabetes can take a toll on mental health, with about 30 to 40 per cent of people living with diabetes experiencing depression at some point in their lives.

“People living with diabetes carry a significant burden, including having to change their diet, lifestyle, taking regular insulin injections, managing hypoglycaemia and coping with stigma, Dr Lim said.

He also said that these challenges can be overwhelming and stressed the importance of support rather than judgement for people living with diabetes, noting that pre-diabetes should be seen as a warning sign rather than a label, as it can be reversed with weight loss, lifestyle changes, and medications a critical window of opportunity.

He shared the case of a man in his 30s who was diagnosed with early type 2 diabetes through routine screening and successfully achieved diabetes remission after losing weight through medication and lifestyle changes.

“With medication and lifestyle changes, the patient lost weight and successfully put diabetes into remission. He has regained control of his health. That’s the power of early intervention. It completely changed his life and prevented future complications with medication and lifestyle changes,” Dr Lim added.

-- BERNAMA