Based on the 2018 Basic Health Research (Riskesdas), it is known that the prevalence of diabetes mellitus based on a doctor's diagnosis in the population aged 15 years in Indonesia is 2%. This figure shows an increase compared to the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in 2013. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus based on the results of blood sugar examinations also increased from 6.9% in 2013 to 8.5% in 2019. This figure shows that only about 25% of people with diabetes know that they have diabetes mellitus.
The question is, how do we know if we have diabetes mellitus? How is the treatment and how to control it? Come on, find out more!
How Do We Know If We Have Diabetes?
Enforcement of the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is done by measuring blood sugar. The recommended blood sugar examination is an enzymatic examination using venous blood plasma. The criteria for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus include 4 things, namely:
- Fasting plasma glucose test 126 mg/dl. Fasting is a condition where there is no calorie intake for at least 8 hours
- Plasma glucose examination 200 mg/dl 2 hours after the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) with a glucose load of 75 grams
- Examination of plasma glucose when 200 mg/dl with physical complaints
- Examination of HbA1c 6.5% using the method standardized by the National Glycohaemoglobin Standardization Program (NGSP).
The results of the examination that did not meet the normal criteria or the criteria for diabetes mellitus were classified into the prediabetes group consisting of Impaired Glucose Tolerance (TGT) and Impaired Fasting Blood Sugar (GDPT). GDPT occurs when the fasting plasma glucose test results are between 100-125 mg/dl and the 2-hour plasma glucose OGTT is <140 mg/dl. Meanwhile, TGT occurs when the results of the plasma glucose examination 2 hours after the OGTT are 140-199 mg/dl and fasting plasma glucose <100 mg/dl. Meanwhile, the HbA1c level of people with prediabetes is at 5.7%-6.4%. People with prediabetes need to pay attention to their diet and exercise habits so they don't progress to diabetes mellitus.
How is Diabetes Treated?
Management of cases of diabetes mellitus is aimed at three things, namely:
- In the short term, it aims to eliminate complaints, improve quality of life and reduce the risk of acute complications
- In the long term, the goal is to prevent and inhibit the progression of microangiopathic and macroangiopathic complications
- Meanwhile, the ultimate goal of managing diabetes mellitus is to reduce morbidity and mortality.
What are the Goals of Diabetes Prevention and Control?
Prevention and control of diabetes mellitus in Indonesia are carried out so that:
- Healthy individuals stay healthy
- People who already have risk factors can control these risk factors so they don't develop diabetes mellitus
- People who already suffer from diabetes mellitus can control their disease to avoid complications or death
How to Prevent and Control Diabetes?
Things that can be done for the prevention and control of diabetes mellitus are education, early detection of risk factors for degenerative diseases, and management according to standards. Individuals with a history of impaired glucose tolerance, impaired fasting blood glucose, or prediabetes must have the self-awareness to adopt a healthy lifestyle by paying attention to their food and drink intake, and regularly doing physical activity so that this condition does not progress to diabetes mellitus.
Community involvement through community-based health efforts also has an important role in controlling diabetes mellitus. Early detection of diabetes mellitus can be used as early identification of individuals who have risk factors. One way is by checking blood sugar regularly by trained cadres so that if there are individuals with suspected diabetes mellitus, education, intervention, or referrals to first-level healthcare facilities can be immediately carried out.
Populations with risk factors can modify their lifestyle so that they can return to normal conditions. Some of the suggested ways are through the movement to reduce obesity rates, counseling on efforts to stop smoking, doing regular physical activity, and adjusting diet according to the needs and conditions of the body.
The government guarantees that every person with diabetes mellitus will receive health services by standards at least once a month which includes measuring blood sugar levels, education, pharmacological therapy, and referrals if needed. With this guarantee, it is hoped that all people with diabetes mellitus can be controlled and receive good management. The aim of this is to avoid complications and death and reduce the cost burden of diabetes mellitus and its complications.
With the treatment, prevention, and control of diabetes mellitus from the government, it is hoped that our awareness of the dangers of diabetes will also increase. If necessary, you can check your blood sugar levels regularly, Ladies.
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Source: Pusat Data dan Informasi. (2020). InfoDATIN: Tetap Produktif, Cegah, dan Atasi Dibetes Melitus. Jakarta: Kementerian Kesehatan RI.