Diabetes mellitus is a disease present in Cuba. According to statistics, in our country there are more than five diabetics per hundred people of all ages. Dr. Miladis Gutiérrez Millo, specialist in Comprehensive General Medicine, Master of Science in infectious diseases, offered the following interview about the actions to prevent this disease.
What is diabetes mellitus?
Diabetes mellitus is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and alterations in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins derived from abnormalities in the secretion or effect of insulin.
How many patients are there in the municipality?
In San Antonio de los Baños there are 531 people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Of type 2, there are 3592 patients. This year, 80 new cases of this type were diagnosed.
Why have cases of type 2 diabetes increased?
The number of diabetics, mainly type 2, is increasing, especially in female patients. Its causes are complex, but most are related to obesity and sedentary lifestyle.
What are the main actions recommended to prevent this disease?
The most important thing is to improve the quality of life. This requires effective measures to monitor, prevent and control diabetes and its complications. Its complications can be prevented with a healthy diet, the practice of physical exercises, maintaining a normal body weight and avoiding or eliminating tobacco addiction.