The number of Hungarians suffering from diabetes is on a steep rise

Even though the disease concerns 10 pc of the population, most people do not even know that they are ill. Furthermore, many are not aware of the serious consequences untreated diabetes can cause. To make matters worse, the number of illnesses in Hungary has been on a steep rise for years. Doctors called attention on the importance of regular self-control and getting enough physical exercise on the World Diabetes Day which is today.

Hungarians do not take it seriously enough

In fact, there are two types of diabetes: Type 1 was formerly known as juvenile diabetes and it is a chronic autoimmune condition that makes the body unable to produce insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar. Thus, they need to take insulin regularly. People suffering from Type 2 diabetes can still produce insulin, but their cells do not use it as well as they should. In the latter case, the disease’s presence in the family is an important factor, but there are many additional risk factors, too. These are, for example, being overweight or obese, having high blood pressure, suffering from high-stress levels or smoking.

However, most Hungarians still do not know the difference between the two types so they cannot help themselves. This is why

many take advantage of their lack of knowledge –

Hir TV reported.

According to the Hungarian Diabetes Association, everybody should be aware of the fact that diabetes is an illness. Unfortunately, sometimes they heard about cases when greedy businessmen tried to sell, for example, Paleo Diet products which they promised to help instead of insulin to people having Type 1 diabetes, threatening their lives this way. “Diabetes is business and some people betray the trust of the diseased” – warned Peter Kempler, chairman of the association.

Diet, physical activity, lifestyle

In fact, there are modern ways to keep metabolism in balance. However, these are expensive and only insulin-dependent patients can use them. Thus, their proliferation is slow. Insulin Pump Therapy (IPT) is technically the most advanced method in the case of Type 1 diabetes. However, in Hungary, the number of patients receiving IPT is low compared to the neighbouring or the V4 countries – said diabetologist János Tibor Kis.

People suffering from diabetes eat healthier than the average. For example, they evade added sugars and they do not consume many carbohydrates. According to Chef József Bernáth,

traditional recipes can be modernised.

For example, sugar can be substituted and though the taste is not exactly the same one can get used to it. A team from Semmelweis University did medical screening examinations all Tuesday and called the attention of the public on the correspondence between dental health and diabetes.

Almost one million Hungarians suffer from diabetes and there might be hundreds of thousands who have not been diagnosed yet.

Source: hirtv.hu