REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- November was designated as international diabetes month to raise awareness of all types of diabetes, signs and symptoms. Indonesia also commemorated diabetes month organized by Division of Metabolic Endocrine Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia and Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM).
This event was supported by PT Sun Life Financial Indonesia and aimed to reduce cases of diabetes mellitus in Indonesia and to improve quality patients' life. One that would be done in this event was to establish a polyclinic education for patients and their families in order to prevent complications.
Diabetes mellitus is a disease with a variety of chronic complications characterized by increased levels of sugar in the blood. Based on the results of Health Research (Riskesdas) in 2013, about 6.9 percent of Indonesia's population suffer from diabetes.
"Based on the research of Sun Life Asia Health Index 2015, diabetes is one of major health problems in Indonesia," said President Director of Sun Life Financial Indonesia, Elin Waty, in a press release, Thursday (12/11).
More than 90 percent of people with type 2 diabetes occurred when the body does not produce enough insulin. Type 2 diabetes is referred to as lifestyle diseases, because it commonly experienced by someone who is not doing enough physical activity, overweight (obesity), besides the role of genetic factors in the family.
Various studies show that lifestyle changes can prevent diabetes compared to the consumption of drugs. Healthy lifestyle can be applied, for example, by maintaining a balanced nutritional composition, fiber intake, lose weight, and intensity of exercise by at least 30 minutes (or five times a week or 150 minutes a week).
People with diabetes will be faced with a variety of complications disease that increase morbidity and mortality, including coronary heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and impaired vascular flow.
"More than five million people die every year as a result of diabetes," said Chief of Division of Metabolic Endocrine Department of Medicine Faculty of medicine/RSCM, dr. EmYunir, SpPD-KEMD.