What is Diabetes?
According to Ministry of Health "Diabetes Mellitus is a disease in which the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high which is due to lack of hormone insulin or body's resistance to insulin action.

Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life.

Symptoms for Diabetes

• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
• Extreme hunger
• Unusual weight loss
• Increased fatigue
• Irritability
• Blurry vision
• Vaginal Infections

Types of Diabetes

There are 2 known types of Diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes is called an insulin-dependent
- Pancreas fails to produce insulin which necessary to survive. It usually develops in childhood and adolescents. However it is most often in adults.

Type 2 diabetes is a non-insulin dependent
- Body fails to respond properly due to the action of insulin and this type is common as it covers around 90% of diabetes worldwide. Though it usually occurs among adults but nowadays there is an increasing number among adolescents.

Prevention... Better Than Cure!

- Maintain healthy weight by monitoring food intake. i.e. practice balanced diet.
- Quit Smoking.
- If you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol level and are on medication, take your medication as instructed.
- Ask for blood glucose test, especially when you have the symptoms of diabetes.- Increase physical activity levels. It helps to ward off from suffering any potential diseases plus healthy diet.
- Drink adequate or recommended amount of water daily.
- Spread diabetes awareness to public, especially children in the primary school level.
- Increased intake of wholegrain dietary fibre, especially barley.

Treatment for Diabetes

Type 1: Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus(IDDM)

Injections:

Soluble insulin, Isophane insulin or combination of both Soluble and Isophane insulin.

Type 2: Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM)

Tablets:
Gliclaxide, Glibenclamide, Glipizide, Tolbutamide, Metformin Hydrochloride, Acarbose, Rosiglitazone.

Injections:
Soluble insulin, Isophane insulin or combination for both Soluble and Isophane insulin.

Why is it a health issue in Brunei?

Diabetes has become a major health issue in Brunei as Bruneian people especially young generations are not aware of healthy balanced diet. As the modern advance technology such as computers games develops, young generation prefer to sit at home rather than going out for sports activities.

Apart from that, it is hard to find low-fat and low-calorie food here in Brunei as there are alot of fast food available here. The cheap pricing of petrol here are also another factor that made Bruneians choose to drive than walking.

According to the Ministry of Health (Brunei), there is an increase in diabetes cases in this country as in 2006 itself there were 1148 cases which includes men, women as well as children. Diabetes is the third leading causes of death in Brunei.

Can you imagine since 2002 there were only 500 cases as in 2006 it went up to 1500 cases???