1. What is diabetes and what symptoms does it cause?
Diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels rise because the body cannot produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it produces effectively. Symptoms may include frequent urination, excessive thirst, constant hunger, fatigue, blurred vision, slow-healing wounds, and unexplained weight loss. Since Type 2 diabetes can progress for a long time without causing symptoms, it is important for people in risk groups to have their blood sugar checked regularly.
2. How is diabetes diagnosed?
Diabetes is diagnosed through blood tests. Fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and, when necessary, an oral glucose tolerance test may be used. The HbA1c test provides information about a person’s average blood sugar level over the previous two or three months. A single test result may not always provide a definitive diagnosis. In people without symptoms, high results may need to be repeated on a different day. The results should be evaluated together with the patient’s general health condition.
3. How often should patients with diabetes visit their doctor?
The frequency of medical check-ups for patients with diabetes is determined according to their blood sugar levels, medications, accompanying conditions, and treatment goals. Check-ups may be conducted more frequently for patients who have not achieved their blood sugar targets or whose treatment has been changed. Regular check-ups assess HbA1c, blood pressure, weight, kidney function, cholesterol, and eye and foot health. Following a personalised monitoring programme helps detect diabetes-related complications at an early stage.
4. Why is nutrition important in diabetes treatment?
A healthy eating plan is one of the fundamental parts of diabetes treatment. The content of meals and portion sizes directly affect blood sugar control. Vegetables, fibre-rich foods, whole grains, and suitable protein sources should be preferred, while sugary drinks and highly processed foods should be limited. Since every patient with diabetes has a different age, weight, medication plan, and daily activity level, the nutrition programme should be prepared individually.
5. When should insulin treatment be started?
The appropriate time to begin insulin treatment varies according to the type of diabetes and the patient’s health condition. Insulin treatment is necessary in Type 1 diabetes because the body cannot produce enough insulin. In Type 2 diabetes, insulin may be considered when blood sugar cannot be controlled through nutrition, exercise, and oral medications. The treatment decision should be made by a physician after evaluating blood sugar levels, the HbA1c result, symptoms, and accompanying conditions.
6. What is hypertension and why does it occur?
Hypertension is a condition in which the pressure exerted by the blood against the vessel walls remains consistently high. Genetic predisposition, advanced age, excessive salt consumption, physical inactivity, obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, stress, kidney disease, and diabetes may increase the risk of hypertension. In some patients, no specific cause can be identified. The diagnosis is made by a physician after evaluating accurate blood pressure measurements taken at different times.
7. What symptoms can high blood pressure cause?
High blood pressure often progresses without causing symptoms. For this reason, hypertension is also known as a “silent disease.” When blood pressure becomes extremely high, symptoms such as headache, blurred vision, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, or confusion may occur. The absence of symptoms does not mean that blood pressure is normal. Regular and accurate blood pressure measurements are required to detect hypertension.
8. How should blood pressure be measured at home?
When measuring blood pressure at home, a validated upper-arm device with a correctly sized cuff should be used. The person should rest for at least five minutes before the measurement and avoid smoking, caffeinated drinks, or exercise during the previous 30 minutes. They should sit with their back supported, their feet flat on the floor, and their arm positioned at heart level. It is recommended to take two measurements one minute apart without speaking and to record the results.
9. What problems can untreated hypertension cause?
Uncontrolled hypertension can damage the heart, brain, kidneys, eyes, and vascular system over time. It may increase the risk of serious health problems such as heart attack, heart failure, stroke, loss of kidney function, and vision problems. Since this damage often progresses for a long time without causing symptoms, regular blood pressure monitoring, lifestyle changes, and consistent use of the prescribed treatment are important.
10. Should blood pressure medications be taken regularly?
Blood pressure medications should be taken regularly at the doses and times recommended by the physician. Blood pressure returning to normal does not mean that the condition has completely resolved or that the medication can be stopped. Stopping medications without medical supervision may cause blood pressure to rise again and lead to serious health problems. If side effects occur or blood pressure falls too low, the physician should be consulted before stopping the medication, and the treatment plan should be reassessed.
11. What health problems can obesity cause?
Obesity is not merely an aesthetic concern but a chronic health condition that requires monitoring and treatment. It can increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, cardiovascular diseases, sleep apnoea, joint problems, and fatty liver disease. Health risks may vary according to the person’s weight, fat distribution, age, and accompanying conditions. Measures taken at an early stage can help reduce the risk of these diseases.
12. How is obesity diagnosed?
Body mass index is one of the most commonly used methods for assessing obesity. It is calculated by dividing body weight by the square of height in metres. However, body mass index alone is not sufficient. Waist circumference, fat distribution, muscle mass, dietary habits, medications, and accompanying conditions should also be evaluated. This allows a personalised risk assessment and treatment plan to be created.
13. Why is a personalised treatment plan important for weight loss?
Every person has a different metabolism, health condition, daily routine, dietary habits, and reasons for gaining weight. Therefore, applying the same diet or exercise programme to everyone may not produce lasting results. A personalised treatment plan considers diabetes, thyroid diseases, hypertension, medications, and psychological factors. Setting realistic goals helps maintain healthy weight loss and supports long-term weight management.
14. Are nutrition and exercise sufficient for obesity treatment?
A healthy eating plan and physical activity form the foundation of obesity treatment, but they may not be sufficient on their own for every patient. Behavioural support, medication, or, under suitable conditions, surgical methods may be considered for some people. The treatment should be determined according to body mass index, accompanying conditions, previous weight-loss attempts, and general health. Obesity medications must be used under medical supervision.
15. What is high cholesterol and how is it detected?
High cholesterol means that cholesterol and other types of fat in the blood are above the levels considered healthy. Since it usually causes no symptoms, it cannot be identified solely from a person’s complaints. A blood test called a lipid profile is used for diagnosis. This test evaluates total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglyceride levels. The results should be interpreted together with age, blood pressure, diabetes, smoking status, and family history.
16. How does high cholesterol affect cardiovascular health?
High LDL cholesterol in particular can contribute to the accumulation of fat in the vessel walls. Over time, the resulting plaques may cause the vessels to narrow or become blocked. This increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other vascular diseases. HDL cholesterol helps transport excess cholesterol from the blood to the liver. Cholesterol levels should not be assessed alone but together with the person’s overall cardiovascular risk.
17. What should be considered when trying to lower cholesterol?
Foods high in saturated and trans fats should be limited to lower cholesterol. More vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, and suitable sources of healthy fats should be included in the diet. Regular physical activity, weight management, and stopping smoking also help reduce cardiovascular risk. When lifestyle changes are not sufficient, a physician may prescribe cholesterol-lowering medication.
18. Which tests are performed during a check-up programme?
The content of a check-up programme is determined according to the person’s age, sex, family history, lifestyle, and existing health conditions. A general assessment may include a physical examination, blood pressure measurement, blood sugar, cholesterol, and liver and kidney function tests. Screening for heart disease, cancer, bone health, or other conditions may be planned when necessary. The programme should be personalised by a physician to avoid unnecessary tests.
19. How often should a check-up be performed?
The recommended frequency of check-ups is not the same for everyone. Age, family history, smoking, weight, blood pressure, diabetes risk, and existing health problems affect the interval between examinations. People with chronic conditions or significant risk factors may need to be evaluated more frequently. For healthy individuals, the appropriate interval should be determined by a physician. A check-up does not only involve performing tests; it also involves regularly evaluating personal health risks.
20. Which diseases can preventive medicine help detect early?
Preventive medicine helps identify the risks of diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases at an early stage. Depending on age and personal risk factors, screening may be planned for certain cancers, kidney diseases, osteoporosis, and other chronic conditions. Early diagnosis allows lifestyle changes or appropriate treatments to be implemented before the disease progresses. Screening programmes should be arranged according to the person’s age, sex, and family history.