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The 6th edition of the nationwide educational campaign “Life with diabetes” of Medical Media Solutions, under the patronage of the International Diabetes Federation and the Polish Diabetes Society, has started, as part of which a publication on the prevention and treatment of diabetes has been published in the daily “Rzeczpospolita”.
Diabetes currently affects over 415 million people worldwide and nearly half of them are unaware of their disease. Most of them have type 2 diabetes. It is the leading cause of premature death and numerous complications. – Every six seconds a person dies from diabetes in the world. This fact means that we have reached the point where it is absolutely necessary for policy makers to take appropriate action and reforms, with the support of a wide range of stakeholders, says Dr. Shaukat Sadikot, President of the International Diabetes Federation.
In Poland, there are about 3 million people with diabetes, of which several hundred thousand people are not aware of their disease and do not undertake treatment. It should be emphasized that this is a disease that, despite medical progress, shortens life. The main causes of death are cardiovascular conditions such as heart attacks and strokes. – It is therefore a huge challenge for the whole society, decision makers, the medical community, as well as for the health care system and the state budget – emphasizes prof. dr hab. n. med. Maciej Małecki, President of the Polish Diabetes Society.
– Many of us are unaware that they have elevated sugar levels. When a few years ago additional remuneration for family doctors for the treatment of diabetes was introduced, the number of patients increased several times. This is because doctors began to intensively diagnose patients, especially from risk groups – adds Halina Pilonis, a MedTvoiLokony journalist.
Reduction of cardiovascular risk
Modern drugs not only effectively lower sugar levels, but also prolong the life of patients and reduce the number of cardiovascular complications. It is now argued that the new goal of treating diabetes is not only to lower blood sugar but also to lower cardiovascular risk. – Thanks to the new clinical trials, the point of view has changed. It turned out that there are antidiabetic drugs that reduce the risk of cardiovascular and death regardless of lowering blood sugar, explains Prof. dr hab. n. med. Edward Franek from the Department of Internal Diseases, Endocrinology and Diabetology, Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Interior and Administration in Warsaw.
A breakthrough study in this area was EMPA-REG OUTCOME conducted for over three years, which concerned over 7. diabetic patients with high cardiovascular risk in 42 countries. It was found significant, because as much as 38 percent. reduction of the number of deaths due to cardiovascular causes, thanks to the addition of empagliflozin to the current therapy. – These are spectacular results, previously unattainable for us. Thanks to the use of this therapy, we are finally able to significantly reduce the cardiovascular risk in our patients, which in turn extends their life – comments Prof. dr hab. n. med. Paweł Piątkiewicz from the Department of Internal Diseases, Diabetology and Endocrinology at the Medical University of Warsaw.
Treating neuropathy properly
Patients also suffer from many other complications, as increased sugar levels damage the blood vessels that supply blood to the eyes, kidneys, feet and nerves. One of the more common complications of diabetes is neuropathy, i.e. damage to the nervous system associated with impaired sensation and unpleasant pain sensations. If the patient experiences sensory disturbances, a burning sensation, burning sensation or unusual sensation, he should inform his doctor as soon as possible. In the case of treatment of the causal neuropathy, doctors have at their disposal α-lipoic acid, which in many cases turns out to be helpful. – α-Lipoic acid, in order to have therapeutic properties, must be administered in a dose of at least 600 mg per day. This dose has been found to be effective in clinical trials. In sequential therapy, it is best for the patient to start with the intravenous form of α-lipoic acid and then switch to the oral form of therapy – says Jarosław Woroń, MD, PhD from the Department of Pharmacology at the Collegium Medicum of the Jagiellonian University in Krakow.
Follow your doctor’s instructions
The mainstay in the treatment of type 2 diabetes is metformin therapy. It is a known, widely available and effective drug which, in optimal doses, has a positive effect on the patient. – Most often, the substance is taken three times a day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Since its effectiveness depends on the dose, it should be full – notes prof. dr hab. n. med. Grzegorz Dzida from the Diabetology Department of the Chair and Clinic of Internal Diseases, Medical University of Lublin.
Taking metformin with a meal is important as it reduces side effects and improves patient compliance with therapeutic recommendations. This is an important issue because in the case of chronic diseases, only slightly more than half of the patients follow the doctor’s recommendations. – The role of the patient in the process of his treatment is huge, which is why it is so important that there is clear communication between him and the medical staff – adds Beata Stepanow, President of the Diabetes Education Association.
Accurate blood glucose self-monitoring
Diabetes mellitus is a disease that requires the acquisition of a large amount of new knowledge that will help in the proper management of the patient’s life. Experts have been indicating for years that self-control of glycaemia is the basis for proper diabetes monitoring and an important element of therapy. – Each blood sugar measurement result allows you to better understand the processes taking place in the body and thus better manage your diabetes. This disease is all about avoiding complications, and frequent blood sugar measurements are definitely conducive to this – emphasizes Jerzy Magiera, creator of the mojacukrzyca.org portal. Nowadays, we have modern glucometers, thanks to which we can easily conduct self-tests and obtain accurate results. – It is worth remembering that in diabetes, the time invested in education about the disease, and above all in systematic self-control, will pay off in the future, the immediate one – today and tomorrow, as well as the more distant one – adds Mariusz Masiarek, President of the Society for Help for Children and Youth with Diabetes mojacukrzyca.pl.
Kick diabetes and live actively
Exercise is an important pillar of proper diabetes management, helping to reduce the risk of developing chronic disease complications, and maintaining well-being and overall health. On the last weekend of April in Gniezno, the 600st Polish Football Championship for Children and Youth with Diabetes was held, which proved that diabetes is not an obstacle in practicing sports. – Over 200 people took part in the Championships, including XNUMX young players, all of them also had the opportunity to participate in educational panels, during which experts shared their knowledge and experience in the field of safe physical activity – emphasizes prof. dr hab. n. med. Dorota Zozulińska-Ziółkiewicz, Vice President of the Polish Diabetes Society.
Diabetes challenges in 2017
Diabetes is one of the greatest challenges for our society and affects the daily lives of many Polish families. It is crucial to think about it comprehensively and apply solutions that put the patients’ well-being in the first place. – Unfortunately, there is a lack of reimbursement of incretin drugs and floins in Poland – these are the so-called intelligent antidiabetic drugs that work only when there is a need, that is, when the blood sugar level actually rises – says Anna Śliwińska, President of the Polish Diabetes Association.
– As a nurse, I must note that people with diabetes in Poland are disadvantaged not only due to the lack of reimbursement of modern drugs, but also due to the unavailability of diabetes education – adds Alicja Szewczyk, President of the Polish Federation of Diabetes Education. The environment of organizations associated with the Coalition for Combating Diabetes has for many years been calling for the creation of systemic solutions for the treatment and prevention of diabetes, the recommendations are included in the strategic document “Diabetes 2025”.
– On the basis of such a long-term strategy, a comprehensive policy and action plan can be developed that will cover the main types of diabetes, the entire process of preventive actions, from primary prevention through prevention of complications, treatment and comprehensive care – says Igor Grzesiak, Member of the Board of the Institute of Patient Rights and Health Education . – In the near term, the task of the diabetic community should be to convince the decision-makers that the reimbursement of pumps for adults will be beneficial for the health of patients and profitable for the state budget – adds Monika Zamarlik, President of the Diabetes Federation.
Check what you should know about type XNUMX diabetes
Much more on the extensive topic of diabetes, to which the campaign is dedicated, can be found in the publication “Life with diabetes”, which was published on May 15, 2017 together with the daily “Rzeczpospolita” and at www.dbajozdrowie.info.
The full publication is available here.