It is estimated that 500,000 to 1 million Poles are unaware that they suffer from type 2 diabetes. On the other hand, those who already know the diagnosis, and there are about 3 million of them, do not always know how to treat and combat this disease. . We are talking with Anna Slivinska, president of the Polish Diabetes Association, about the need to educate people about diabetes in society and to re-educate people who have been living with this disease for many years.
I have this habit: when I meet friends who have diabetes and have a glucose meter with them, I check my blood sugar levels. This happens 2-3 times a year. Is it good?
Anna Slivinskaya: Very well, we would be glad if everyone had it. And imagine that there are probably about 1 million people among us who don't know they have diabetes.
I understand that they don't check themselves. But why?
A: Because they don't know they have to. Because they deceive themselves that if they are not diagnosed, they will not get sick. But they also don't "feel" a reason to test. Since type 1 diabetes gives very specific symptoms, type 2 diabetes can cause symptoms such as excessive drowsiness, weakness, weight fluctuations, urinary tract infections, which can be associated with many other diseases. Diabetes mellitus 2 can also be asymptomatic in the first phase. Or they're so light that you get used to them. We usually find out that we have diabetes when we are diagnosed with another disease.
How would you convince lazy people to do a simple and painless sugar test?
A: I won't hesitate to scare you If you've been living with undetected and untreated diabetes for years, you'll find out about it under very "unpleasant" circumstances, such as a heart attack or stroke. Unfortunately, in many cases, it is only in the presence of life-threatening cardiovascular complications that the patient learns that it was related to diabetes, which he did not know about because he did not have the knowledge or desire to check blood glucose levels from time to time. . That's why social education about diabetes itself and its complications is so important.
And if I know that I have diabetes. I went to the doctor, got medications and recommendations. What's next?
A: Diabetes is largely decided by the patient himself. The most important thing is the so-called glycemic control. You should know that all your daily activities affect your blood sugar levels in one way or another. Not only what and how much he will eat, but also whether he will move, when and how intensely, how he will react to stress or how he will relax. Unfortunately, many diabetics ignore diabetes. They naively believe that when they stop sweetening, for example, tea, it is enough to take control of diabetes, but, unfortunately, this is clearly not enough.
Where can I learn how to live with diabetes?
A: Well, we don't have an official diabetes education system. Diabetologists do not always have time to conduct it, and when they talk to the patient for a longer time, they often use too complex language. A full-time diabetes instructor is needed to support doctors and nurses, but there is none yet. Fortunately, there are patient organizations, such as the Polish Diabetes Association, whose main statutory purpose is education. We work all over the country through branches and local clubs, of which we have more than 360. People with diabetes don't have to look far for us. Maximize your first deposit with an exclusive 1xbet promo code for registration granting you a welcome bonus of $130. This offer is designed for new players seeking to get the most out of their betting journey. By using the correct promotional code, you automatically increase your initial capital. The bonus is valid for both the sportsbook and the casino sections. To get your full $130, ensure you enter the code before making your first deposit. This is the perfect way to kickstart your adventure on 1xBet.