Cyprus-Forum.com

[SSBubbles]

AROUND ten per cent, or between 60,000 and 70,000 Cypriots suffer from diabetes and one third of those people will not even be aware they have it until four to seven years after the onset of the disease.

A study carried out between 2005 and 2010 on 485 patients - 280 men and 205 women – found that 52 were suffering from Type 1 diabetes or insulin dependent, and 433 from Type II diabetes or non-insulin dependent.

The research also found that good cholesterol, also known as HDL, may prevent the onset and retard the progression of Type I and Type II diabetes.

Researchers from throughout Cyprus as well as Hungary presented their findings yesterday at the University of Nicosia under the auspices of the Pancyprian Diabetes Association, the Foundation for the Promotion of Research, and the Cyprus Centre for European and International Affairs.

The link between diabetes and HDL cholesterol has never been mentioned in medical literature, the researchers claimed.

The research, which mainly examined the onset of kidney failure in the Cypriot population due to Type II diabetes, studied samples from a bank of genetic material in order to determine the relationship between kidney failure and Type II diabetes in Cypriot patients.

Half of diabetes patients develop end-stage renal failure and go on dialysis to survive, according to Dr. Theofanis Theofanous, a nephrology specialist and director of the dialysis department at Famagusta’s general hospital. Dr. Michalis Koptides, a biology professor at the University of Nicosia, did say, however, that “individual biological mechanisms are not fully understood” and that “genetic factors may be involved in the development of diabetic nephropathy.”

The study also confirmed well-established facts about how to treat diabetes so that it does not result in kidney failure, such as taking anti-hypertensive medication to control blood pressure, controlling blood sugar levels, and not smoking.

“Early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention is important and crucial for the prevention of diabetic nephropathy,” said Theofanous. “It is clear that improved prevention and therapeutic intervention in diabetic renal disease could save lives,” he said.

According to Theofanous, reigning in high blood pressure and controlling glucose levels early can reduce the incidence of diabetes-induced renal failure in the population by 14 per cent each, and quitting smoking by 7 per cent. But Theofanous does warn that the figures “may be slightly overestimated because the sample was insufficient for complete isolation and independence of each factor such as smoking in women and the impact of smoking on hypertension.”

Obesity, diet, physical inactivity, insulin resistance, a family history of diabetes, ethnicity, and age can all contribute to developing the disease, the researchers reported. The incidence of obesity among children in developed countries has increased from 4 per cent in 1963 to approximately 17 per cent in 2004, in turn increasing their chances of developing Type II diabetes, according to George Reusz, a professor from Summelweis University in Budapest.

The researchers emphasised the fact that diabetes and its complications, which also include coronoary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and neuropathy, among others, are on the rise in developed nations and will impact their ability to adequately treat their diabetic populations unless people alter their lifestyles to avoid developing the disease.

“Diabetes is now a global epidemiological problem,” said Theofanous. “As a chronic disease…it is plaguing all countries of the world and national budgets at great cost,” he said.

Reusz concurred, saying that “the majority of type 2 diabetes cases can be prevented – prevention costs governments far less than treating diabetes and its complications. Diagnosis, treatment, management and prevention of diabetes and other non-communicable diseases require integrated health systems, delivery of care down to primary care level, and supportive policies outside the health sector,” he said.

Source - Cyprus Mail

[paliometoxo]

thats a lot of cypriots to have the disease and not know

[Smiler Brian]

I was identified by my doctor as being at increased risk of developing type 2 and was invited onto a study program. 2 IFG (Impaired Fasting Glucose) blood tests showed that I was borderline diabetic.

Part of the course is educating us into what we must eat, as important as what we must not eat.

A major factor in my case was a long time of enjoying far too much beer/wine/whisky. I cut down dramatically and improved my diet, increased my exercise and generally became aware of the risks.

After only two weeks a repeat blood test showed that I had a normal IFG. I now need to be a bit more careful about my lifestyle but nothing drastic. I used to pop to the pub on the way home every day, a few beers or a bottle of wine in the evening, snacking on high fat foods etc etc.

I've cut down and with luck will not go on to getting full blown diabetes.

Not rocket science but we all need a bit of education now and again.

[CBBB]

I find it very difficult to believe that so many Cypriots are unaware of their condition for so long. The second topic of conversation among Cypriots after they have discussed how much they earn is to brag about how much higher their cholesterol/sugar/whatever else they measure level is compared to any one else!

[denizaksulu]

May I thank Bubbles for the article re: Diabetes thus publicising the necessity of healthy living and regular checkups. Two eminent members of our forum are type II. Unfortunately I am one of them. I am on Insulin and tablets which I have to take till the day I no longer am.

A good healthy diet and regular exercise can prevent the onset of this terrible disease. A careful diet, sugar control, hygienic foot checking, neuropathy, bad circulation, kidney disease, impaired liver function and most importantly diabetic eyes are the most common factors affecting a diabetic patient.

Please check your lifestyles and enjoy healthy living.

[CBBB]

Cheers, I've just opened another KEO!

[kurupetos]

Cheers, I've just opened another KEO!

Don't worry, KEO is diabetes-free.

[Gasman]

I'm with CBB on this. Almost all the Cypriots I get to know tell me about their cholesterol levels and how many different meds they are on for one thing or another!

Some countries do not routinely check for high BP, diabetes and high cholesterol as they do here. I'm sure there are similar numbers of folk in those countries who would test pos for these conditions if they were tested.

When in hospital here a year or so ago, my doc told me he hardly sees anyone over 60 who isn't on medication for something.

[SSBubbles]

May I thank Bubbles for the article re: Diabetes thus publicising the necessity of healthy living and regular checkups. Two eminent members of our forum are type II. Unfortunately I am one of them. I am on Insulin and tablets which I have to take till the day I no longer am.
A good healthy diet and regular exercise can prevent the onset of this terrible disease. A careful diet, sugar control, hygienic foot checking, neuropathy, bad circulation, kidney disease, impaired liver function and most importantly diabetic eyes are the most common factors affecting a diabetic patient.
Please check your lifestyles and enjoy healthy living.

I used to work in the 'medical profession' in England and believe me, diabetes is definitely on the increase. As D says keep a check on your lifestyle, just as a precaution. Better to be safe than sorry.

[denizaksulu]

May I thank Bubbles for the article re: Diabetes thus publicising the necessity of healthy living and regular checkups. Two eminent members of our forum are type II. Unfortunately I am one of them. I am on Insulin and tablets which I have to take till the day I no longer am.
A good healthy diet and regular exercise can prevent the onset of this terrible disease. A careful diet, sugar control, hygienic foot checking, neuropathy, bad circulation, kidney disease, impaired liver function and most importantly diabetic eyes are the most common factors affecting a diabetic patient.
Please check your lifestyles and enjoy healthy living.

I used to work in the 'medical profession' in England and believe me, diabetes is definitely on the increase. As D says keep a check on your lifestyle, just as a precaution. Better to be safe than sorry.

Where were you when I needed that advice all those years ago. Oh, Just remembered, you were a wee lass then.

As to the KEO drinkers, enjoy your KEO's but be aware of its sugar content. Have you got a beer belly?