SAN JOSE, Antique – From January this year to Nov. 5, the province of Antique recorded 2,206 residents suffering from Type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way the body metabolizes sugar (glucose) — an important source of fuel for the body.
With type 2 diabetes, the body either resists the effects of insulin — a hormone that regulates the movement of sugar into the cells — or doesn’t produce enough insulin to maintain normal glucose levels.
Between 2015 and 2019, diabetes was one of the 10 leading causes of death in Antique, said Jenevieve Gabin, Nurse II, Integrated Non-Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control Program of the Antique Provincial Health Office.
There is no cure for Type 2 diabetes but losing weight, eating well and exercising can help manage the disease.
If diet and exercise are not enough to manage the blood sugar well, one may also need diabetes medications or insulin therapy.
The 2,206 Antiqueños suffering from type 2 diabetes aged at least 20 years old, said Gabin.
She urged the people of Antique to avoid developing diabetes by maintaining a healthy lifestyle such as by being physically active (at least 30 minutes of regular or moderate intensity activity in most days), avoiding smoking and eating a healthy diet.
Gabin also said it would be wise for Antiqueños to have themselves assessed in their rural health unit vis-à-vis their risk of developing diabetes.
“Para ma-record sanda sa master list kay ang Department of Health sa kadya nagatugro kang mga libre nga medication para sa may mga diabetes,” sasid Gabin.
The symptoms of type 2 diabetes can be so mild that some do not notice them. Symptoms include:
* being very thirsty
* peeing a lot
* blurry vision
* being cranky
* tingling or numbness in your hands or feet
* fatigue/feeling worn out
* wounds that don’t heal
* yeast infections that keep coming back
* hunger
* weight loss without trying
* getting more infections/PN
