Again, if we treat a person with diabetes, it depends on which stage his or her disease is."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Health Minister Nila F. Moeloek has said said one way to prevent diabetes is by early detection regularly every month.

"With a check-up once a month to detect non-communicable diseases including diabetes is one way to prevent the disease," the Indonesian health minister stated in a press release made available here on Monday.

Moeloek added that the majority of diabetes cases are preventable, since 90 percent of them are Type 2 diabetes which is caused by an unhealthy lifestyle.

She made the statement related to the launch and inauguration of Action for Integrated Early Detection of Diabetes and Non-communicable Diseases at South Tangerang Modern Market.

The event is one of a series of World Health Day 2016 main event which is celebrated annually on 7 April.

In the meantime, diabetes expert Professor Sidartawan Soegondo stated that there is no cure for diabetes currently, but in the lightest phase it can be treated by following a healthy lifestyle, balanced diet and getting regular physical activities.

He said the treatment of diabetes in the lightest phase does not require medication but only by a healthy lifestyle.

"If diabetes is already detected and there are no complications, the disease is not treated with drugs but with lifestyle changes," Soegondo remarked in Jakarta recently.

Treatment for people with diabetes varies depending on the patients condition when he or she visits a doctor, he stated. Once the patient experiences various complications, the doctor will prescribe more medicines.

"Again, if we treat a person with diabetes, it depends on which stage his or her disease is. I cannot say the diabetes drug is just one or two, but it depends on the patients condition when he or she comes to the doctor," Soegondo explained.

Therefore, he called on the public to take the initiative to get enough rest, and to get tested early for diabetes as a form of prevention.

Further, the expert said that diabetes is a disease that cannot be cured, but the patients can control the disease by lowering their blood sugar levels to extend their lifespan and improve their quality of life.

He also stressed that taking medicine is the last option of the three ways to fight diabetes.

"The three ways to fight diabetes are doing exercises, and controlling the diet, while taking medication is the last option," Soegondo noted.
(Uu.O001)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2016