Raising Awareness Is Key To Defeating Diabetes

Dr. Annabel Fountain, of Fountain Health, is raising awareness about the preventable nature of Type 2 diabetes.

A spokesperson said, “April is Defeat Diabetes Month and an opportunity to focus on the multitude of lifestyle and dietary changes that can be implemented to minimize the chances of developing diabetes and its complications.

“Diabetes is a severe and chronic condition that occurs when body cannot produce enough insulin or cannot effectively use the insulin the body makes. This leads to high blood glucose levels [hyperglycemia] and, if left uncontrolled, can cause damage to organs such as the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. Diabetes is a non-communicable disease and mostly related to environmental and genetic factors.

“Globally, more than 420 million people have diabetes and by 2040 the number is expected to be more than 640 million people. Approximately half of people living with diabetes don’t know they have it. In Bermuda, the known prevalence of diabetes is 14% compared with 8.2% worldwide.

“The STEPS to a Well Bermuda survey, carried out by the Ministry of Health, reported in 2014, that more than 95% of the population have at least one risk factor for a chronic, non-communicable disease [NCD]. Over half of all respondents [54.8%] had 1-2 risk factors for developing an NCD. Nearly half [42.0%] had 3-5 of these risk factors and only 3.2% had none of the risk factors. Half [50%] reported drinking at least one sugary drink per day.”

Dr. Fountain, Medical Director at Fountain Health says: “Type 2 diabetes can be treated effectively and now we are seeing cases where it has been reversed through lifestyle changes. Drinking just one sugary drink per day increases risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by 25%. With healthy nutrition, weight management and regular exercise, the risk of developing diabetes can be significantly reduced.

“Mortality rates due to diabetes in Bermuda are generally higher than the OECD average, with male mortality rates almost double. However, this rate probably underestimates the true number of deaths related to diabetes because it isn’t always recorded as a contributor e.g., when someone dies of a heart attack or cancer.

“My focus when supporting someone living with type 2 diabetes is to educate them and empower them to manage their own health better. The goal in the long term is to “put myself out of a job”.

“With regular monitoring, proper nutrition and regular exercise, the risk of heart disease, kidney failure, and other complications such as amputations, can be reduced or eliminated in people living with diabetes,” she explained.

The spokesperson said, “Dr. Fountain completed her specialist training in the UK in 2010. She is certified in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Internal Medicine and provides care to people with a range of health conditions and disorders related to hormones, including diabetes. Dr. Fountain is an expert in diabetes technologies such as continuous glucose monitoring, insulin pump therapy and apps to support successful self-management.

“Visit fountainhealth.bm for more information about diabetes and treatment, education and support of the condition.”

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