Silent Pandemic: Diabetes

Diabetes, which is rapidly spreading worldwide due to factors such as poor nutrition, physical inactivity and excess weight, can be life-threatening if left untreated!

Prof. Dr. M. Temel Yılmaz, Coordinator of Acıbadem University Diabetes Research and Application Centre, Endocrinology and Internal Medicine Specialist says "There are 600 million people with diabetes worldwide and more than 12 million in our country. Research shows that the incidence of diabetes in our country increases by 100 percent every 10 years. Moreover, this rate of increase is 2 times the world average and more than 3 times the European average!" Prof. Dr. M. Temel Yılmaz notes that the World Health Organization defines diabetes as a 'Silent Pandemic', and it is estimated that the number of people with diabetes will reach 1.3 billion by 2050, yet societal awareness remains insufficient, with millions of people unaware they have diabetes. In a statement made on the occasion of 14 November World Diabetes Day, Prof. Dr. Yılmaz explained what needs to be known about diabetes, the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in treatment and artificial pancreas, and provided important warnings and recommendations.

Diabetes, defined as blood sugar levels running above normal, can cause serious organ damage such as coronary heart disease, kidney disease, vision loss and neuropathy if not properly treated! Prof. Dr. M. Temel Yılmaz, Coordinator of Acıbadem University Diabetes Research and Application Centre, Endocrinology and Internal Medicine Specialist, notes that because diabetes usually progresses silently, the diseases it causes are also hidden causes, stating that 80 percent of diabetic patients die from heart problems. Emphasizing that research has revealed that diabetes is the cause of five of the most common fatal diseases in the world, Prof. Dr. Yılmaz speaks as follows: "Diabetes causes damage to blood vessels. For this reason, problems in the coronary vessels that supply the heart are the most common cause of death. Additionally, due to increased bad cholesterol associated with diabetes leading to vessel hardness, stroke, wounds in the feet due to vessel blockage in the legs, and sexual problems due to vessel narrowing can be observed. Foot loss is experienced due to vascular diseases. One of our organs most affected by vessel damage is the eyes. In fact, diabetes is one of the main causes of blindness worldwide. The kidneys are also damaged due to urea elevation caused by capillary vessel deterioration, and this problem can progress to kidney failure. Uncontrolled high blood sugar can require the patient to be put on dialysis. Nerve system diseases that we call neuropathy can also develop due to diabetes. Symptoms such as burning, numbness and loss of sensation in hands and feet point to neuropathy."

Watch for these symptoms!

The disease usually progresses insidiously without any symptoms, but sometimes presents with symptoms such as excessive thirst, weight loss, dry mouth, frequent urination, fatigue and blurred vision. Prof. Dr. M. Temel Yılmaz, noting that when these symptoms are not heeded, time is lost in diagnosing the disease, states that one in every four diabetic people in our country is not even aware they have diabetes. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), Turkey is among the leading countries in Europe with the highest rate of increase in diabetes, with approximately 12 million people with diabetes in our country. Prof. Dr. Yılmaz states: "In our country, the number of people with diabetes increases by 100 percent every 10 years. In fact, the rate of increase is 2 times the world average and 3 times that of Europe. Of the 12 million people with diabetes in our country, 9 million receive medical treatment but the remaining 3 million are not even aware they have diabetes! Over the past 30 years, type 2 diabetes has descended to the age of 20." Prof. Dr. Yılmaz notes that the World Health Organization defines diabetes as a "silent pandemic without a microbe and a single cause", and states that the current number of 600 million people with diabetes worldwide is estimated to exceed 1.3 billion by 2020.

Annual regular screening saves lives!

Emphasizing that diabetes treatment must be "multidisciplinary" in nature because it severely affects more than one organ, and that there must be full cooperation between patient and physician, Endocrinology and Internal Medicine Specialist Prof. Dr. M. Temel Yılmaz states: "Diabetes is a progressive, life-threatening disease if left untreated. For this reason, unscientific treatment methods should not be relied upon. From the time of diagnosis, with a treatment process planned by specialists, people with diabetes can live very comfortably." Drawing attention to the fact that medication or insulin use alone is not sufficient in diabetes treatment, emphasizing that a healthy lifestyle must be adopted, Prof. Dr. Yılmaz notes the critical importance of annual checks and screenings, continuing as follows: "Since the risk of heart attack in diabetic patients is 2 to 5 times higher, the patient must be evaluated for cardiovascular disease. This way, serious risks such as heart attack can be detected beforehand. Eye care specialists evaluate problems that may occur in the eyes, and nephrology specialists evaluate the kidneys. Patients who undergo annual organ screening tests can live longer and healthier lives thanks to early detection and prevention of organ damage. Even without any symptoms, diabetic patients must have their hearts, kidneys, eyes and nervous system checked annually."

The 'Artificial Pancreas' era in treatment!

Prof. Dr. M. Temel Yılmaz notes that in recent years, with the introduction of current technologies in the monitoring and treatment of diabetes, many rules in disease management have changed, stating: "The artificial pancreas is the most advanced technology of the 21st century for diabetics with difficult-to-control blood sugar levels. The artificial pancreas consists of three systems: an insulin pump, a continuous glucose monitoring device (CGM) and an artificial pancreas program operated by artificial intelligence integrated with these. New generation insulin pumps are divided into two groups: wired insulin pumps and a new generation 'Patch Pump' that adheres to the skin. With these systems, insulin delivery can be provided remotely via remote control without external injection, and insulin delivery doses can be adjusted instantly during the day. Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems (CGM) devices, which are beginning to replace glucose measurement devices, measure blood sugar every 2 minutes, performing 720 measurements per day. With these systems, it is possible to monitor your blood sugar from your phone or mobile systems at any time of day. Artificial pancreas systems can detect a diabetic individual from the alerts coming from the CGM before entering hypoglycemia and stop insulin flow from the pump. Similarly, when blood sugar rises, they can automatically provide an intermediate insulin dose."