Essential Diabetes Information for Every Malaysian
Diabetes and heart disease are two prevalent cause of death1 in Malaysia that can be managed effectively with the right information and care.
How Does Diabetes Hurt Your Body?
Both Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes can cause high blood sugar levels or hyperglycaemia. Too much glucose acts like a toxin leading to damage of the walls of blood vessels.
How Is Diabetes Linked To Heart Disease?
Damaged blood vessel walls lead to fatty plaque build-up or atherosclerosis. In the heart, narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries causes heart disease and heart attacks because oxygen cannot reach the heart muscle properly.
Do I Have Diabetes?
Unlike Type 1 Diabetes, people can have Type 2 Diabetes for many years without even realising it. This is because the signs and symptoms can be vague and easily missed such as blurry vision, tiredness, excessive thirst, frequent urination and slow-healing wounds.
Am I At Risk Of Having Diabetes?
A significant number of type 2 diabetes cases in Malaysia are linked to being overweight, a condition intensified by unhealthy lifestyles and poor dietary habits. Genetics and physical inactivity also play crucial roles in the onset of this health issue. A study found that individuals with a high body fat percentage face an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, even if their BMI is within the normal range2.
Meet Dr.Ain..
Since 2015, Dr. Ain has established herself as a prominent Key Opinion Leader in the field of body contouring and weight management. As the driving force behind Alainn Clinic, she has been at the forefront of adopting cutting-edge treatments. Dr. Ain’s active involvement in clinical studies, along with her extensive knowledge and expertise, ensures that patients at Alainn Clinic receive optimal and significant outcomes.
Type 2 Diabetes Self-Test
This Body Fat Percentage calculator3 is tailored for Asians, offering a quick and easy way to evaluate your health status and potential diabetes risk. For males with a body fat percentage above 25% and females above 30%, the risk of diabetes is heightened.
Body Fat Percentage Calculator
| Gender | Underweight | Normal | Overweight | Obese |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | < 15% | 15-25% | 26-30% | > 30% |
| Female | < 20% | 20-30% | 31-35% | > 35% |
Getting Diagnosed
If you suspect you have type 2 diabetes (diabetes mellitus – DM), the only way to detect and diagnose diabetes is to get a blood test. Blood sugar levels can be taken at different times such as early morning (fasting blood glucose) or anytime after eating (random blood glucose). The HbA1c test can also tell how much glucose has been attached to your red blood cells over the past 2 to 3 months.
Can I use a Blood Glucose Monitor to Test?
Blood glucose monitors are portable tools commonly used for quick, on-the-spot blood sugar level checks. While they are helpful for immediate insights and monitoring diabetes, they are not substitutes for professional medical tests and consultations required for an accurate diagnosis.
How To Treat Type 2 Diabetes?
One of the most important ways to treat Diabetes is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This includes diet modification, weight loss and exercise. However, some people with Type 2 Diabetes will need to take either oral medication, injectable medication or in combination to manage their blood sugar levels.
Latest Type 2 Diabetes Treatment Options In Malaysia
You may already know about well-known medications for Type 2 Diabetes such as Metformin, Sulfonylureas and Insulin Injection. The Malaysian Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes (6th Edition) also recommends newer medications such as SGLT-2 inhibitors (eg. Luseogliflozin) and GLP-1 receptor agonists (eg. Semaglutide, Dulaglutide) that have shown good efficacy and safety. The above are known in the market as Lusefi, Ozempic and Trulicity respectively.
Meet Dr.Ain..
Since 2015, Dr. Ain has established herself as a prominent Key Opinion Leader in the field of body contouring and weight management. As the driving force behind Alainn Clinic, she has been at the forefront of adopting cutting-edge treatments. Dr. Ain’s active involvement in clinical studies, along with her extensive knowledge and expertise, ensures that patients at Alainn Clinic receive optimal and significant outcomes.
