Diabetes screening can prevent serious long-term consequences

Hundreds of thousands of people know nothing about their diabetes

Bavaria's Health Minister Melanie Huml has called on the occasion of the World Diabetes Day to make greater use of the offers for the early detection of this disease. Early diagnosis can often prevent serious long-term consequences.

Over seven and a half million Germans have diabetes

Recently, a report was published showing that around 7.6 million Germans are diabetic. However, many sufferers know nothing about their own diabetes disorder. This can have fatal consequences. Because diabetes can be associated with a number of sequelae. Early detection of the disease would often prevent the serious sequelae of diabetes. Bavaria's Health Minister Melanie Huml points this out in a communication.

Health experts are calling for better use of diabetes screening services. Early diagnosis can often prevent serious long-term consequences. (Image: interstid / fotolia.com)

Many are not aware that they are diabetic

"In Bavaria, over one million people suffer from diabetes. However, a significant number of those affected do not know about their condition because there are no signs of it for years, "explained Huml.

"According to estimates, there are up to 200,000 people in Bavaria alone who are not known to have diabetes. It is very important to recognize this disease as early as possible, "said the minister, who is a licensed doctor.

"If diabetes remains unrecognized and untreated for a long time, it represents a significant risk to vessels and nerves. Consequences can be cardiovascular diseases, damage to kidneys and eyes as well as dangerous circulatory disorders in feet and legs," said the Poltikerin.

"If, on the other hand, diabetes is detected and treated in good time, the serious late effects can be delayed or often completely avoided," says Huml.

"Those who take suitable measures and, for example, move well and eat well, can positively influence the course of the disease."

New regulations for statutory health insurance

The Minister referred in this connection to the just revised health examinations for persons with statutory health insurance:

"What is new is that the statutory health insurance companies will in future pay for the health check-up even between their 18th and 35th birthday. From the age of 35, those insured by the statutory health insurance system can then carry out the health check every three years, "explained Huml.

"In this medical check-up health risks and burdens should be recorded and evaluated and important diseases such as diabetes mellitus be detected early," said the Minister of Health.

"Voted on this, prevention-oriented counseling and, if necessary, further diagnostics and therapy are carried out."

A healthy lifestyle can protect you from the disease

Type 2 diabetes mellitus usually occurs in adulthood and is closely related to lifestyle. In addition to genetic factors, risk factors include physical inactivity, severe overweight and a very sugar and fatty diet.

"Having a healthy lifestyle with a well-balanced diet and adequate exercise can help prevent type 2 diabetes," said the minister, who also aims to make sure that Type 1 diabetes in children is detected earlier than previously.

"My goal is to make parents more aware of this diabetes. Because a quick diagnosis and the timely treatment prevent the subsequent development of serious secondary diseases such as hypertension and circulatory disorders. "

Disease is not curable

Type 1 diabetes is the most common metabolic disease in childhood and adolescence nationwide. Its cause is an autoimmune reaction in which the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas are destroyed by the body's own defense processes.

"Type 1 diabetes is not curable so far. However, timely diagnosis and optimal glycemic control can help young patients live a near normal life, "said Huml.

The main symptoms include severe thirst and frequent urination. If suspected, parents should seek medical advice. (Ad)