Doc: Rising Case of Diabetes Due to ‘Westernize’ Food

A government physician blamed western foods as the cause behind the increasing cases of diabetes which now affects 10.6 percent of the country’s total population.

Dr. Goni Panilagao, president of Diabetes Philippines-Cebu City Chapter, said this figure represents the data last year which is higher by 30 percent compared to that recorded in 2008 which is 7.2 percent only.

Panilagao cited westernized foods introduce by fast food restaurants here as one of the main culprit behind this increase.

She explained that diabetes mellitus (DM) is a set of related diseases where the body can no longer regulate the amount of sugar in the blood, specifically glucose.

According to Panilagao, the blood delivers glucose to provide the body with energy to perform all of the person’s daily activities.

Panilagao also identified two types of DM as type 1 and 2.

She said that type 1 diabetes occurs when one’s body stops producing insulin or produces too little insulin to regulate blood glucose level.

Type 2 diabetes is when the body is partially or completely unable to use this insulin, she explained.

The risk begins at the age of 45 and rises considerably after age 65, she said.

According to Panilagao, some of its symptoms are the following: fatigue, unexplained weight loss, excessive thirst, excessive urination, excessive eating, poor wound healing, blurry vision and irritability.

However, Panilagao advised everybody to see and consult a doctor if one feels these symptoms, she said.