WHILE most major healthcare efforts in Myanmar are focused on fighting epidemic diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria, the number of people suffering from non-epidemic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure is quietly increasing, a diabetes specialist at Thingangyun San Pya Hospital has warned.

Prof Tint Swe Latt, a consultant physician at the hospital, said diabetes is one of the most common non-epidemic diseases in the world and its incidence was rapidly increasing in Myanmar.

“Lifestyle changes, lack of exercise and stress are the main factors in the development of diabetes,” he said.

He said there are two main types of diabetes: type I (insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, or IDDM), which develops mostly in those under the age of 40; and type II (non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus), which is more common among people aged 45 and 65.

Dr Tint Swe Latt said about 95 percent of diabetics have type II, many of whom do not even realise they have the disease.

Daw Than Than, 65, said she found out she had contracted the disease three years ago when she started suffering strange symptoms, including constant hunger, shaking hands, rapid heartbeat and itchy skin.

After a month she went to a doctor and was diagnosed with diabetes.
“There are many foods that people with diabetes should not eat. When I found out I had the disease I stopped eating as much and suffered from a lack of energy,” she said.

“Just a few days ago I ate a kind a fruit that I had never eaten before and wanted to try. It had been a long time since I’d eaten fruit and it made me feel unwell because it sent my blood sugar level up to 300,” she said.

Prof Tint Swe Latt said diabetics should avoid sweet foods including fruits and should try to maintain a blood sugar level of 90 to 100 milligrams of glucose per decilitre of blood (mg/dL) before breakfast and less than 180mg/dL after eating.

Symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, excessive appetite, irritability, blurred vision, slow healing, overall fatigue and yeast infections near reproductive organs.

Prof Tint Swe Latt said diabetes is more common among people with high blood pressure or a family history of diabetes, and among those who are overweight or live inactive lifestyles.

Another diabetic, Daw Myint Myint Thaw, said she found out she had the disease only after she had a medical check up for blurred vision.

“The only symptom I had was poor vision but the doctor said I had had diabetes for five years,” she said.

She said she had undergone laser surgery five times to cure her poor vision and also suffered from high blood pressure.

“I have been living with diabetes for more than six years. I walk every morning now to try to deal with the disease,” Daw Myint Myint Thaw said.

Prof Mya Aung, an eye surgeon from the Department of Ophthalmology at Yangon Eye Hospital, said 14 percent of diabetics suffer from vision problems.
“Diabetics should see an eye specialist once or twice a year to prevent eye disease,” he said.

He also pointed out that diabetic clinics have been open at Yangon General Hospital and North Okkalapa Hospital for more than three years.

Prof Tint Swe Latt said diabetics should exercise for at least 30 minutes every day and warned that people with the disease should be careful to avoid leg injuries.

“Leg injuries to diabetics are very difficult to heal and in severe cases the leg might have to be amputated to save the patient’s life,” he said.

He said people with the disease can live normal lives if they exercise regularly and are careful about what they eat.

“There are many special food supplements for diabetics on the market but they have no real benefit for people with the disease,” he said.