Merck Serono is the Leader in the Treatment of Diabetes
The prevalence of diabetes, in particular the type 2 form, is increasing throughout the world and in developing countries
this increase is expected to be at a rate of 90%, largely as a result of increasingly sedentary lifestyles & obesity in an
aging population.
Estimates by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) – who held a Congress in Cape Town in 2006 – are that Diabetes affects
approximately 246 million people worldwide.
According to the South African Medical Research Council, diabetes is estimated to have caused 22,412 deaths in 2000 in this
country, making it the seventh leading cause of death in South Africa.
Experts estimate that approximately 3.5 million South Africans have diabetes with the type 2 form being the most common (95%).
Experts estimate that approximately 3.5 million South Africans have diabetes with the type 2 form being the most common (95%).
Type 2 diabetes is a complex disease, essentially it is caused by reduced capacity of the pancreas to produce enough insulin
and/or the inability of the body to use available insulin properly (insulin resistance). Insulin helps to control the glucose
in the blood.
Glucose is used by the body as its main source of energy.In healthy people, after meals, food is digested turning it into
glucose which is absorbed into the blood stream. Insulin is then released, taking the glucose from the blood into the cells
to be used for energy or stored in muscles and fat.
To stay healthy patients with type 2 diabetes need extra help which includes diet & exercise, pharmacological intervention
etc, to keep the blood glucose levels within normal range. Otherwise the high levels of glucose can negatively affect the
eyes, kidneys,heart, brain and other organs.
Prevention - through lifestyle interventions such as regular exercise, healthy eating - is the key to reducing the growing
economic and social burden of diabetes.Metformin is regarded as first line treatment in all overweight type 2 diabetic patients.
Metformin can be used alone or in combination with other oral antidiabetics, to control blood glucose levels and to address
insulin resistance.
Merck Serono help line 08611 63725
http://www.diabetessa.co.za/
http://www.diabetessa.co.za/
