Kuala lumpur: Diabetes is often perceived in Malaysia as merely a 'sugar problem' caused by sweet foods and drinks, but for those affected, it is a serious lifelong condition that can quietly harm organs, disrupt hormones and even threaten limbs. Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City (SMC) said in a statement today that despite being a common disease, diabetes still carries a stigma, with many people feeling judged and ignored, and worryingly, most young adults with diabetes are unaware that they have the condition.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023 shows that one in six adults in Malaysia has diabetes but also finds that 84 per cent of adults, from age 18 to 29, with diabetes do not know they have it. Consultant endocrinologist at Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City, Dr Lim Chong Wei, emphasises the importance of early detection, education, and empathy.
Dr Lim stated, "It's not just about sugar; it's about the whole body. Diabetes is a chronic health condition, but it's manageable. Taking it seriously early helps prevent serious complications. For many, it's about changing the conversation before it's too late." He explained that diabetes can be controlled, but complications often develop before symptoms appear, with kidney damage or diabetic nephropathy being among the most common.
Dr Lim further elaborated that diabetic nephropathy often develops silently, with early signs such as protein in the urine that cannot be detected without laboratory testing, and patients who do not undergo regular screening usually discover the condition too late, when dialysis or even a kidney transplant is required. Other complications include nerve damage, heart attacks, strokes, and even dementia, with poorly controlled diabetes causing silent strokes and memory issues as early as the 50s, much earlier than in healthy individuals.
Dispelling the myth that diabetes is only caused by lifestyle, Dr Lim noted, "I've had patients in their 30s coming in with a stroke or nerve problem, and only then we find out they've had undiagnosed type 2 diabetes for years." He also highlighted that some individuals develop diabetes due to genetic conditions, hormonal disorders such as Cushing's syndrome or acromegaly, or long-term steroid use, which can cause weight gain and insulin resistance. The condition can also affect sexual hormones and reproductive health.
Men may experience erectile dysfunction and low testosterone levels, while women may face fertility issues linked to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), Dr Lim said. Beyond physical complications, managing diabetes can take a toll on mental health, with about 30 to 40 per cent of people living with diabetes experiencing depression at some point in their lives.
"People living with diabetes carry a significant burden, including having to change their diet, lifestyle, taking regular insulin injections, managing hypoglycaemia, and coping with stigma," Dr Lim said. He also stressed the importance of support rather than judgement for people living with diabetes, noting that pre-diabetes should be seen as a warning sign rather than a label, as it can be reversed with weight loss, lifestyle changes, and medications-a critical window of opportunity.
Dr Lim shared the case of a man in his 30s who was diagnosed with early type 2 diabetes through routine screening and successfully achieved diabetes remission after losing weight through medication and lifestyle changes. "With medication and lifestyle changes, the patient lost weight and successfully put diabetes into remission. He has regained control of his health. That's the power of early intervention. It completely changed his life and prevented future complications," Dr Lim added.