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HEALTHY REASONING: DIABETES – New Treatment Options

HEALTHY REASONING: DIABETES – New Treatment Options

By Allan Bucka Jones
Pride Health Columnist

According to the Canadian Diabetes Association there are over 9 million people in Canada living with diabetes or pre-diabetes. Of the 3 million with diabetes, 90 percent are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, and despite the many treatment options available, approximately 50 percent do not reach the level of glucose recommended by their doctor. So we have a problem, especially when you consider the devastating effects of diabetes on the body, from head to toe.

Recently a new approach to diabetes treatment became available. A new class of products called SGLT2 inhibitors (sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors) was approved by Health Canada. The SGLT2 inhibitors, one of which is INVOKANA™, treat diabetes by increasing the loss of sugar (glucose) in the urine. In clinical trials INVOKANA™ had success by improving sugar control, while reducing systolic blood pressure and reducing body weight. Many people become diabetic as a consequence of high blood pressure and / or carrying too much body weight. You can see the significant advantage of a product like INVOKANA™, that reduces blood sugar level and at the same time minimize two significant risk factors, namely high blood pressure and being overweight. If you have problems controlling your blood sugar after lifestyle changes and taking medications, you may want to ask your doctor about the option of trying the SGLT2 inhibitors.

I welcome this new approach to deal with the disease I sometimes refer to as DIE-OR-BEAT-THIS, thinking it  would be a more appropriate name for diabetes. Too many of us are living a reduced and compromised life, or have died from the complications of diabetes. The truth is, if you do not deal with your diabetes, it will deal with you. You can end up with high blood pressure, a stroke, be blind, suffer a heart attack, have sexual dysfunction, kidney malfunction, nerve damage, or amputations, and more…….and even death.

It is time the Black community stand up to the condition and fight it medically and politically. Ask your municipal, provincial or federal politicians about their plans to reduce diabetes among their constituents. Do not let your politicians off the hook. Seek answers.

The Black community has a disproportionately high rate of diabetes and high blood pressure.  Combined, diabetes and high blood pressure account for two-third or 66% of the problems encountered by the kidneys. So many of us end up with chronic kidney disease, and some will move on to end-stage renal disease and in need of dialysis. The kidneys are very forgiving organs, so you can lose significant functioning and still feel good. So if you have diabetes or high blood pressure, it is important to have a kidney function test every year when you do your annual examinations, because you may be moving to a situation of complete loss of kidney function and do not know. The good news is that not everyone with chronic kidney disease will progress to a complete loss of kidney function or end-stage renal disease, and good control of your diabetes can spare your kidney from damage.

Eyes are also critical for diabetics. If you have diabetes, a visit to your eye doctor at least once a year for regular exams is important to avoid eye problems. High blood sugar (glucose) increases the risk of eye problems from diabetes. In fact, diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults age 20 to 74.

If you are diabetic and have blurred vision, do not buy a new pair of glasses as soon as you notice the blurred vision. It could just be a temporary eye problem that develops rapidly with diabetes, and is caused by high blood sugar levels. It may take as long as three months after your blood sugar is well controlled for your vision to fully get back to normal.

Blurred vision can also be a symptom of more serious eye problem with diabetes. The three major eye problems that people with diabetes may develop and should be aware of are cataracts, glaucoma, and retinopathy. An eye care specialist should be part of your health care team if you are diabetic.

As a diabetic, you should take control of your health. If you are not achieving good blood sugar levels, despite numerous attempts by your doctor, ask the doctor about new diabetes treatment options available, like the SGLT2 inhibitors. You could prevent high blood pressure, a stroke, becoming blind, suffer a heart attack, having sexual dysfunction, kidney malfunction, nerve damage, amputations, and even death.

Allan Bucka Jones is a Health Promoter and Broadcaster. He can be heard on “Allan Bucka Jones LIVE”, Sundays from 3 to 5pm on CHRY 105.5 FM, CHRY RADIO App, www.chry.fm option RDO.to , Rogers Digital Cable 945, Bell Fibe 973 or mobile app TuneIn Radio. You can contact Allan Bucka Jones at allan@jonesandjones.ca.

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