Diabetes and COVID are not a good match. In fact, in the largest epidemiological investigation from the Chinese Center for Disease Control, The COVID-19 mortality in the presence of diabetes rose up to 7.3 percent. A report by EpiCentro also shows that diabetes accounts for 30.5 percent of comorbidities among COVID-related deaths in Italy. And here in the Philippines, the World Health Organization reported that 77 percent of COVID-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 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.
His advice? Apat Dapat—four simple, yet effective, ways for patients to control diabetes:
- Proper diet
Eating healthy and on time helps normalize blood sugar. PSEDM advises eating more fruits, vegetables, and fish, while avoiding 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 its the end of your life. You do not give up everything. What’s important is to understand your disease and your limitations.”
- Exercise
PSEDM guidelines state that exercise has been proven to lower blood sugar because it helps fight against ‘insulin resistance.’ This means that when you exercise, your insulin works better. While it may be more difficult to exercise given the restrictions of the pandemic, there are many exercises that can be done in the comfort of your own 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. The 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 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 said Dr. Robles. 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.”
This article is part of a series of informative pieces from Kontrolado Ko, Diabetes Ko, an awareness campaign by MSD in the Philippines that advocates patient adherence to medication and treatment among people with diabetes in the Philippines.
The goal of the campaign 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 their doctors is a vital first step toward better health outcomes.
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sa panahon kc ngayon mahirap po tlaga magkasakit mamu, sabi nga health is wealth po at mahirap na sakit po itong diabetes pang matagalan na gamutan dn po ata yan kaya dapat tlaga maging aware po tayo sa sariling katawan natin kapag may nararamdaman wag ng ipagpaliban pa, magpa check up na agad kung kinakailangan po sina papa po kc highblood at stroke naman po ang sakit, nasa lahi po nila un, nakakatakot dn kaya need tlaga ng sobrang pag iingat lalo na sa mga kinakaen po.
Nice campaign ito importante talaga healthy lifestyle para makumpleto itong apat
Malaking tulong po itong campaign para aware ang mga tao tungkol sa diabetes, hindi biro ang magkaroon ng ganitong karamdaman kaya dapat doble ingat sa pagpili ng pagkain at ugaliing mag-exercuse araw-araw.
Napakahalaga ng apat na paraan na nabanggit po sa blog niyo mamu para bumaba ang risk na tamaan ka ng Covid. Nakakatakot po talaga ng ganung kataas po ang namamatay sa Covid na may sakit na Diabetes.
Salamat sa APAT-DAPAT malaking tulong po itong tips na ito para maControl natin ang sakit na diabetes sa panahon ngayon ng Covid, dapat talaga nasusunod yung APAT na tips dahil mahirap magkasakit ngayon, lalo na yung diabetes isa rin sa nakakatakot na sakit dahil habang buhay na kaya kaya kailangan ng triple pagiingat.
Thank you for sharing mamu. Magandang campaign to lalo na sa mga may diabetes.. may lahi pa naman kami sa side ko na diabetes.. dapat talaga mag Doble ingat.. lalo na ngayong pandemic kung ano ano nalang mga lumalabas na sakit.
. sa panahon po ngayon kailangan mag ingat tayo sa lahat ng kakainin naten lalo na yung may mga saket na diabetes dapat po balance diet at proper exercise mas mainam napo na marame tayong tips at alam sa sakit na ito . stay healthy . 💞💞
this is really a helpful information Mamu thanks for shAring lalo ngayon prevention is better than cure kaya daPat talaga alaga ang kalusugan