DIABETES is often seen as a “sugar problem”, but for those affected, it’s a serious, lifelong condition that can quietly harm organs, disrupt hormones and even threaten limbs.
The National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023 shows that one in six adults in Malaysia have diabetes. But it also finds that 84 per cent of adults aged 18 to 29 with diabetes do not know they have the condition.
Sunway Medical Centre consultant endocrinologist Dr Lim Chong Wei in Sunway City, Subang Jaya, says diabetes is not just about sugar; it’s about the whole body.
Diabetes is a chronic health condition, but it’s manageable. Taking it seriously at the early stage helps prevent complications, he explains.
“For many, it’s about changing the conversation before it’s too late.”
Complications often begin before symptoms appear. Kidney damage or diabetic nephropathy is one of the most common complications of diabetes.
Dr Lim says diabetic nephropathy can develop quietly, with early signs like protein in the urine that aren’t visible to the naked eye.
Without regular testing, patients often find out too late, when dialysis or even a transplant is needed.
Other complications include nerve damage, heart attack, stroke and even dementia.
Dr Lim says it’s a myth that type 2 diabetes is only caused by poor lifestyle choices. That’s not true for everyone.
Some people have genetic conditions, hormonal disorders like Cushing’s disease or acromegaly, or have been on long-term steroid therapy which leads to weight gain and insulin resistance, he explains.
Diabetes can also affect sexual hormones and reproductive health. Men may experience erectile dysfunction and low testosterone, while women may have fertility issues, which can be associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
If you’ve been told you’re pre-diabetic, take it as a warning sign.
Dr Lim says this means there is an opportunity to reverse it with weight loss, lifestyle changes and medication. It’s a critical window of opportunity.
Diabetes isn’t just about what we eat — it’s about the systems it affects and the lives it can quietly change, he adds.
With the right support, treatment and mindset, people can live well and avoid complications.
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