Aqua

By: Dr. Diyah Eka Andayani, MS, SpGK (PDGMI-Jaya)

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes Mellitus (DM), otherwise known as “kencing manis” in Indonesia, is one of the diseases that are increasingly growing in number. It is even predicted that in 2030, there would be more than 20 million DM patients in Indonesia.  What is more worrying is that the tendency for younger adults—in addition to old people—to suffer from the disease is constantly rising.

Diabetes Mellitus does not immediately cause deaths but the complications arising from the disease may deteriorate the quality of someone’s life, which lead to death. Aside from the hereditary factor, obesity and bad lifestyles are also the main triggering factors. If the level of blood sugar is well controlled, the complications can be prevented. 

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES?

Be alert to these following signs:

• Frequent urination, especially at nighttime 
• Frequent thirst 
• Excessive hunger or consumption
• Rapid weight loss
• Feeling weak and easily exhausted
• Pins and needles especially in foot and arms
• Fuzzy sight, dry or itchy skin, frequent infections or bruises that take a long time to heal
• Before performing a blood glucose test, someone has to fast. The level of blood sugar during the fasting period reaches 126 mg/dL or even higher. The number will go even higher to 180mg/dL 2 hours after break fasting. If the test is not conducted without the patient fasting beforehand, the level of a diabetic’s blood sugar will reach between 140mg/dL and 200 mg/Dl or even above 200 mg/Dl

THEN, WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS?

The complications of diabetes are as follow:

1. Nerve disease ; attacks almost the entire body’s nervous system
2. Eye disease; may cause vision problems
3. Cardiovascular disease (heart attack)
4. Kidney disease; the kidney does not function properly
5. Digestive system disorders such as indigestion, stomachache, constipation, diarrhea and gallstones.
6. Infection proneness; such as infections caused by wounds that are hard to heal

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF WATER IN THE DISEASE?

Water is one of the most important substances for the body. The kind of water we choose in the present will determine our future. The simple habit may contribute to high blood sugar level in the future, which would lead to obesity and increase the risk of diabetes. Mineral water, a cup of unsweetened tea, and fresh fruit juice with no sugar are the right choices for maintaining the right blood sugar level.

The bodies of diabetic patients are no longer able to control the level of its blood sugar because the amount of insulin (a pancreas-produced hormone, which serves to control the level of blood sugar) is low or even zero. As a result, the kidney cannot filter glucose (sugar) back to the blood; then the kidney will absorb additional water for the blood to process glucose that will be disposed through urine. This is what causes people with diabetes to urinate frequently. If the condition is not treated properly, the diabetics will be prone to dehydration. It is really important for diabetic patients to keep their bodies hydrated. 

RECOMMENDATION 

Changing a bad lifestyle may reduce the risk of diabetes. Living a healthy lifestyle by maintaining a balanced diet (increasing the consumption of vegetables and fruit as well as cutting high-carb and high-fat foods), taking enough rest and exercise regularly can prevent diabetes and keeping blood sugar stable. Also remember to drink eight glasses of water every day to fulfill our body’s needs and support various processes in the body such as toxic disposal, body temperature control, blood circulation and digestion. 

HOW DO WE KNOW THE STATUS OF OUR BODY HYDRATION?

There are many ways to determine the hydration status of our body. Certainly, each way has its own strengths and weaknesses. Here are the methods we can use to figure out our hydration status: 1.) Measuring the total amount of body fluid with dilution; 2.) Measuring the volume of osmolality and plasma; 3.) Although those methods are very accurate and advanced in determining your hydration status, they are still considered difficult and pricey.

However, there is an easier way to check our body hydration status. It can also be done anytime and anywhere. All we have to do is compare the color of your urine with the colors listed on a PURI (Periksa Urin Sendiri) instrument. This particular method allows us to immediately re-hydrate ourselves by drinking clean water if the test detects dehydration indication within our bodies.