It seems that diabetes and Covid-19 are not a good match.
According to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, in its largest epidemiological investigation titled “Characteristics of and Important Lessons from the Covid-19 Outbreak in China,” it said that Covid-19 mortality in the presence of diabetes rose up to 7.3 percent.
A report by “EpiCentro,” which is under the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Laboratory (Laboratorio di Epidemiologia e Biostatistica) or LEB of the Italian National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità) or ISS, also showed that diabetes accounts for 30.5 percent of comorbidities among Covid-19 related deaths in Italy.
And here in the Philippines, the World Health Organization, in its Covid-19 situation report last April 2020, said that 77 percent of Covid-19 related deaths had either one or several known co-morbidities like diabetes, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, cardiac disease, bronchial asthma, and cancer.
“Covid-19 and diabetes are both inflammatory disorders. That being said, the presence of diabetes can make one’s Covid-19 infection worse,” said Dr. Jeremy Robles, president of the Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (PSEDM).
According to Dr. Robles, controlling diabetes will depend largely on patient adherence because diabetes is both a chronic and a lifetime disease. Patient adherence refers to the willingness to take care of one’s own health by following the treatment the doctor prescribed. Adding to that, the patient will be able to experience better outcomes when they continuously and consistently follow the doctor’s advice.
Dr. Robles said it is now best to follow what he calls “Apat Dapat.” These are four simple yet effective ways for patients to control diabetes.
Proper diet
Eating healthy and on time is needed to help normalize the body’s blood sugar. PSEDM encourages people to eat more fruits, vegetables, and fish. At the same time, they should also avoid high-sugar drinks like juice, iced teas milk teas, and energy drinks.
“That does not mean people with diabetes cannot eat good food anymore,” said Dr. Robles. “Everything changes but it does not equate to being the end of your life. You do not give up everything. What’s important is to understand your disease and your limitations.”
Regular exercise
The PSEDM guidelines stated that exercise has been proven to lower blood sugar because it helps fight against “insulin resistance.” This means that when exercise is done, the body’s insulin works better. Dr. Robles suggests that though it may be difficult to exercise outdoors given the pandemic’s restrictions, there are many exercises that can be done in the comforts of the home. “Try jogging in place, skipping rope, or even just brisk walking around the house for 30 minutes or more. You can even follow along with some dance videos on YouTube. Whatever you choose to do, any type of physical activity can potentially improve insulin sensitivity.
Regular medication
Experts will agree that taking medication every day is one of the most important steps in maintaining normal blood sugar levels. Regular medication also helps prevent complications brought on by uncontrolled blood sugar. “It would be more costly to deal with complications later on. Talk to your doctor for lower cost alternatives,” said Dr. Robles.
Regular check-ups
A doctor is an important partner in a patient’s diabetes management, and regular visits, Dr. Robles said, will ensure progress towards normal levels of blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Going to regular check-ups is a supporting pillar of the PSEDM guidelines because it ensures adherence to the other three—proper diet, regular exercise, and consistent medication.
Living with diabetes is not easy, Dr. Robles pointed out. The anxiety that comes with potential complications, especially during this time, can also be difficult to deal with. “It’s important to remember that diabetes is dangerous, and complications may be fatal,” he said. “Taking control of diabetes means being responsible for one’s disease. By adhering to Apat Dapat, patients can take a monumental step towards controlling their diabetes.”
“Apat Dapat” is part of an awareness campaign called “Kontrolado Ko, Diabetes Ko,” which advocates patient adherence to medication and treatment among people with diabetes in the Philippines.
Its goal is to raise awareness among people with diabetes about the importance of making impactful changes to one’s own lifestyle to manage diabetes, and that taking medication as prescribed by the doctor is a vital first step toward better health outcomes.