Diabetes Singapore – Diabetes, is a chronic health condition that impacts how food is turned into energy by the body.
Under normal circumstances, the body will break down food into glucose that is released into the bloodstream. The pancreas releases insulin when blood sugar levels increase. The insulin in turn enables the cells in the body to use the blood sugar as energy. Insulin also causes the liver to store blood sugar. When blood sugar levels decrease (e.g. due to usage by the body or insufficient food consumption), the amount of insulin produced will accordingly decrease as well. The lowered insulin level causes the liver to instead release the stored blood sugar so that the body has a source of energy to use.
When a person has diabetes, the body either does not produce enough insulin, or is unable to use the insulin effectively to turn blood sugar into energy. These result in there being too much glucose staying in the bloodstream.
What Are The Types Of Diabetes?
There are several types of diabetes, with each having distinct characteristics and requiring different approaches to management.
Type 1 Diabetes
This type of diabetes is an autoimmune disease. It is more often diagnosed in younger people – children through to young adults. This form of diabetes happens when the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin are mistakenly destroyed by the body’s immune system. People with Type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day.
Type 1 diabetes is not lifestyle-related and there is no known prevention for it.
Type 2 Diabetes
In Type 2 diabetes, the body’s cells respond poorly to insulin (insulin resistance), and/or the body does not produce enough insulin. This is the most common type of diabetes with 90-95% of diabetics suffering from it. This form of diabetes usually affects people who are middle-aged or older. However, there is a new trend of increasing larger number of younger patients too.
The risk of getting Type 2 diabetes can be lowered via leading a healthy lifestyle – including maintaining a healthy weight, keeping a healthy diet, and getting regular exercise.
Prediabetes
Prediabetes occurs before the condition progresses to Type 2 diabetes. It is when the blood glucose level is higher than normal but not high enough to be considered Type 2 diabetes.
Gestational Diabetes
This form of diabetes is due to hormonal changes and affects only pregnant women (who have no prior history of diabetes). While in most cases this form diabetes will go away after the birth of the child, it does increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes subsequently. The baby is also at increased risk to develop Type 2 diabetes at some stage.
Diabetes Singapore Statistics
It is estimated that there were a total of 711,800 cases of diabetes in adults in 2021. Furthermore, 430,000 Singaporeans ages 18-19 were diagnosed with prediabetes. According to the Ministry of Health, 1 in 3 people in Singapore may develop diabetes in their lifetime.
Among the different ethnic groups, Indians and Malays have a higher prevalence of the disease compared to Chinese.
Causes Of Diabetes & Risk Factors
The causes of diabetes vary by type:
- Type 1 Diabetes – This is caused primarily by an autoimmune reaction that destroys the pancreas’ insulin-producing beta cells.
- Type 2 Diabetes – This is caused by a combination of genetics and lifestyle factors (e.g. poor diet, excessive weight, insufficient physical activity).
- Gestational Diabetes – This is caused by pregnancy hormonal changes that results in the body becoming less responsive to insulin.
The risk factors for diabetes (i.e. factors that will increase the person’s likelihood of getting the disease) include:
- Family history of diabetes
- Obesity
- Getting insufficient regular exercise
- Personal history of gestational diabetes
- High blood cholesterol levels or blood pressure
- Age of 40 years or older
- Prediabetes (risk factor for Type 2 diabetes)
For Type 1 diabetes:
- Family history of diabetes
- Personal history of pancreatic disease
Symptoms Of Diabetes
The onset of symptoms of Type 1 diabetes may be sudden and intense, but for prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes, there may often not be any warning signs at first. Here are some of the symptoms of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes to watch out for:
- Increased thirst or dehydration
- Increased frequency of urination
- Drastic weight loss in a short period
- Feeling exhausted or weak
- Mood changes
- Having a blurry vision
- Sores that take longer to heal (for Type 2 diabetes)
- Frequent infections (for Type 2 diabetes)
- Numbness or tingling in the feet or in the hands (for Type 2 diabetes)
The best way to detect diabetes is via testing the blood for elevated glucose levels.
Screening & Prevention
Diabetes screening is simple and accessible in Singapore. The screening process typically involves a blood glucose test, which can be done either non-fasting or fasting. The results provide valuable information on an individual’s blood sugar levels, helping to identify those at risk of diabetes. Types of glucose tests for diabetes:
- Non-fasting Blood Test (HbA1c): This is a blood test that gives an indication of the average blood glucose/sugar levels over the past three months. No fasting is needed on the day of the test.
- Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) Test: This blood test is usually done in the morning, since you will need to fast for at least 8 hours before blood sample taking.
- Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT): This is an oral glucose tolerance test that consists of two blood tests; the first test is administered after an 8-hour fast, while the second is done 2 hours after consuming a sugary beverage.
Type 2 diabetes prevention is done through lifestyle changes:
- Engage in regular physical activities and maintaining a healthy weight.
- Maintaining a healthy diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Avoid consuming too much sugar and saturated fats.
Type 1 diabetes is autoimmune in nature and there are no preventive measures that can be taken.
Diabetes Singapore Treatments
Diabetes cannot be cured. Treatment is aimed at controlling and managing the progress of the disease. The treatment used varies according to the type of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes – primarily treatment is insulin injections to control blood glucose levels.
- Type 2 diabetes – this is managed through lifestyle changes, oral medications, and insulin.
- Gestational diabetes – this is managed through diet and exercise, and insulin injections.
Costs
Screening for diabetes is inexpensive. Blood glucose screening is often included as part of even basic health screening packages costing under S$100.
Diabetes treatment using insulin injections may cost up to S$120 per cartridge. Oral medication for diabetes, depending on the medication, may cost from under S$0.10 to over S$6.00 a tablet.
Contact Us For An Appointment
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FAQs
What are the risks of not managing diabetes properly?
If diabetes is not properly managed, it can lead to serious health complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, nerve damage, and vision problems, including blindness. In addition, poorly managed diabetes can weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections. Regular check-ups, blood sugar monitoring, and adherence to treatment plans are essential to prevent these complications and maintain a good quality of life.
How does diabetes impact mental health, and what can be done to address it?
Diabetes can have a profound impact on mental health, causing feelings of anxiety, depression, and diabetes distress (a condition where managing diabetes becomes overwhelming). Seeking support from mental health professionals, joining support groups, and maintaining open communication with healthcare providers can help manage the mental health aspects of diabetes.
What is the importance of foot care in individuals with diabetes?
Diabetic neuropathy and poor circulation can increase the risk of foot problems in people with diabetes. It’s essential to regularly inspect feet for cuts, blisters, or sores and to practice good foot hygiene. Wearing appropriate footwear and visiting a podiatrist for regular check-ups can prevent complications like infections or ulcers.
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This article is informative only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.