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Yesterday, I was consulting at a private clinic in a top area of Ibadan. A couple came in for their annual checkup test results. The woman's test showed slightly elevated blood glucose, while the man, who appeared obese, had significantly high blood glucose levels, even surpassing 400mg/dl in one reading. Further examination revealed he was also excreting excessive glucose in his urine.
Upon discussing his lifestyle, he claimed to not eat much and to climb stairs frequently. However, his weight didn't seem to match this activity level, leaving me puzzled.
Regardless, I advised him to lose weight and consult an endocrinologist. In today's discussion, I'll cover some important points about lifestyle, diabetes, and weight management.
1. Influence of Your Partner:
I noticed that the man's wife also had diabetes, and they both faithfully took their medications. Interestingly, neither of them exercised. This highlights the influence partners can have on each other's habits. Surrounding yourself with people who engage in healthy behaviors can greatly impact your own choices. If a community isn't readily available, involving your partner in activities like sports or choosing healthier options together can make a difference.
2. Importance Beyond Medication:
Despite religiously taking his medications, the man's blood sugar remained high. This brings up the point that managing diabetes goes beyond just medication.
Understanding Diabetes:
Diabetes occurs when blood sugar levels are abnormally high. Blood glucose can be measured in fasting (after at least 8 hours without food) or random (at any time) states. Normal fasting blood glucose is below 100mg/dL, and below 200mg/dL after eating. Diabetes is diagnosed when fasting blood glucose exceeds 126mg/dL or random blood sugar exceeds 200mg/dL.
Monitoring for Effectiveness:
Effective management involves monitoring the effectiveness of interventions, whether medication or lifestyle changes. The man's persistent high readings despite medication adherence likely indicated he needed a different treatment approach.
In summary, diabetes management requires understanding blood glucose levels, monitoring progress, and recognizing the importance of lifestyle alongside medication.