How to Control your Diabetes in the Time of COVID
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.
Dr. Jeremy Robles, President of the Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (PSEDM)
“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:
1. 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.”
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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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