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PHA: Diabetec patients should be mindful of what they consume this Christmas


With the holiday celebrations -- and feasting -- fast approaching, the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) advises diabetic patients to take precaution.

Those who have diabetes should be mindful of what they eat and drink said Dr. Mia Fojas, endocrinologist.

She said that  individuals with high blood sugar should still choose healthy food instead of sweets.

"If you're really concerned about your sugar and you want to reduce your expensive medications, you need to fill up on healthy food before you go to the party so you can choose the healthier food or if ever there are sweets, you are still in control," she said during the PHA online forum on November 30, 2023.


As for those who are taking insulin, Fojas advised patients to consult with their doctors before the holidays so that their medications could be adjusted.

“You do this so that in case you eat something sweet, you don't go straight to the emergency room due to the spike in your blood sugar."

Cardiologist and lipid expert Dr. Lourdes Ella Santos, also said that  patients who are wine or beer drinkers should  be wary of what they drink over the holidays.

“Prolong the drinking process. Instead of the four beers that they will drink in the four hours that they are at the party, maybe they could just hold one beer and drink it bit by bit. With this, you’d still be with your companions, but your beer intake wouldn’t be that much."


Among those individuals with diabetes, 8.5 million around the world, don't even know they have it, and an increasing number of young people are being diagnosed with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

The PHA tirelessly advocates for awareness on the silent epidemic of DM, preventive actions that anyone can take, and how victims can better mitigate the effects of the condition.

Here are important facts on diabetes shared by the PHA in the observance of World Diabetes Day  on November 14: 

. So why is Diabetes Mellitus (DM) Type 2 scary? If left untreated, complications like heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, and vision loss can happen. This may sound scary, but type 2 diabetes is a common condition that can be managed with the right treatment and lifestyle changes.

. It is a pandemic that is both hereditary and acquired, yet cases continue to rise globally and in the Philippines. 

. One in 14 Filipino adults or 3,993,300 out of 63,265,700 Filipino adults live with the disease. DPI predicts that by 2030, the 3.9 million number of diabetic Filipinos will balloon to 5.2 million.  (Ref. Diabetes Philippines, Inc., (DPI) 2019).

. Total cases of diabetes in Filipino adults rose to 4.3 million in 2021 (Ref: International Diabetes Federation (IDF) 2021)  

. Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) places ischemic heart disease as the top killer in the country with a share of 18.6% of all deaths, while DM is at fourth place with 6.5%. 

. Unaware of your high glucose levels and badly controlled diabetes can lead to life-threatening eye and heart complications. High blood glucose levels over a period can harm the small and large blood vessels and nerves. 

. There is a link between diabetes and retinopathy, the leading cause of blindness.

If your eyesight is becoming blurred, if you see shadows of floating spots or if you’re having trouble seeing at night, you should consult your doctor immediately.

. Having DM puts a person at twice the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Diabetes causes an increased narrowing of the arteries and the hardening of the arteries which slows down blood flow. Diabetics are at risk of heart problems such as coronary artery disease (when the blood supply to the heart muscle is diminished) which is the main cause of heart attacks.


Overall, the best way to know how to keep your diabetes in control and from developing heart disease is still to see your doctor regularly.

#Philippineheartassociation

#diabetesalert

#worlddiabetesday

#PHAforum #UPP

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