Access to Diabetes Care: Where are we now?
Diabetes remains to be one of the most common non-communicable diseases in Singapore – and the rest of the world.
Diabetes Fast Facts
Know the Risk Factors of Diabetes
Diabetes often does not present with any obvious symptoms or signs especially early on. That is why regular health screening is important to detect diabetes early. You should go for health screening annually if you have any of the risk factors listed above. Otherwise, stick to the recommended screening schedule.
Diabetes can be diagnosed in the following ways:
Fasting blood sugar test. Blood sample is taken after an overnight fast (at least eight hours). A reading of less than 5.6 mmol/L (100 mg/dL) is normal. A level from 5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L (100 to 125 mg/dL) indicates prediabetes. If your fasting blood sugar is 7 mmol/L (126 mg/dL) or higher on two separate tests, you have diabetes.
Casual blood sugar test. This is the same as fasting blood sugar test, except that you do not need to fast overnight. A reading of more than 11.1 mmol/L (200 mg/dL) means you have diabetes.
Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) test. This blood test indicates your average blood sugar level for the past two to three months. Normal levels are below 5.7%, and a result between 5.7 and 6.4% is considered prediabetes. A HbA1c level of 6.5% or higher suggests you have diabetes. You may be advised to undergo an oral glucose tolerance test for confirmation.
Oral glucose tolerance test. For this test, you will need to fast overnight and then drink a sugary liquid at the doctor's office. Blood sugar levels are tested before the sugary drink and two hours after the drink. For the first reading, a reading of less than 5.6 mmol/L (100 mg/dL) is normal. A level from 5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L (100 to 125 mg/dL) indicates prediabetes. A reading of 7 mmol/L (126 mg/dL) or higher suggests you have diabetes. For the second reading (two hours after taking the sugary drink), a blood sugar level less than 7.8 mmol/L (140 mg/dL) is normal. A reading between 7.8 mmol/L and 11.0 mmol/L (140 and 199 mg/dL) indicates prediabetes. A reading of 11.1 mmol/L (200 mg/dL) or higher after two hours suggests diabetes.
Symptoms and Complications of Diabetes
What You Can Do to Manage and Control Diabetes
Our lifestyle is the biggest contributor to the development and severity of diabetes. That is why it is called a lifestyle disease.
Here are some tips on how you can make small changes to your lifestyle so that you can improve your blood sugar control
Unfortunately, current diabetes care has proven to be often episodic, and not personalized or holistic enough. Patients are often left to manage their condition on their own between their consultation dates.
Even with the rising number of patients, diabetes care has proven to be insufficient. Despite Singapore’s war on diabetes being fought on many fronts, access to comprehensive care still seems to be an issue.
NOVI Magnum Diabetes Treatment Program
NOVI Health’s NOVI Magnum program will help patients take control of diabetes by addressing major challenges, and providing access to:
Clinically proven medications. Medications available include GLP1-RAs, SGLT2-inhibitors and more.
Quality education and guidance, including remote coaching. Understanding diabetes with the help of experts will support patients in making better-informed decisions about their condition.
Technology such as continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) or mobile apps. Technology helps patients monitor their glucose levels, food intake, and exercise to improve diabetes control.
Personalized and holistic care. A diabetes care team can give patients personalized treatments, programs, and medications most suitable to their unique needs.
How does the program work?
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If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, or believe that you might have it, you might want to look into NOVI Magnum. We’ve designed this program to include support from a number of different healthcare professionals, including physicians, dietitians, and health coaches, to provide comprehensive care.
