Diabetes sufferers reach 10 million

Diabetes sufferers reach 10 million

JAKARTA: An official has estimated that about 10 million people, or five percent of the national population, suffer diabetes due to inheritance factors or a failure to lead a healthy lifestyle.

The Ministry of Health's Director General of Medical Services Ahmad Djojosugito suggested that sufferers keep their blood sugar at normal levels by taking insulin, reducing consumption of foods with a high sugar content, avoiding cigarettes and alcohol, and taking regular exercises.

Speaking at a discussion to mark World Diabetes Day, Ahmad said diabetes sufferers ran the risk of suffering kidney and heart disorders, as well as strokes and sexual dysfunction.

Diabetes is a metabolism disorder in which the insulin cannot transform blood sugar into energy.

Currently, the number of diabetes sufferers in the world stands at some 98 million people. - Antara