Insights + interviews
In Conversation With Diabetes Patient Mr Lau Kim Boo
We speak to Mr Lau, a participant of the National University Hospital’s large-scale diabetes study BRITE-SPOT.
For someone who suffers from diabetes, it is not easy to keep it in check. As such, Pioneer Generation ambassador Mr Lau who has kept his condition under control, wants to take this opportunity to shed some light on this ailment and encourage fellow active agers to keep healthy.
AA: What type of diabetes do you have, and when was it discovered?
KB: I have Type-2 Diabetes which was discovered in 1985 when I had to undergo surgery for an unrelated ailment. At that time, I was slightly overweight, but I was not worried because I seemed to be healthy, I could do everything I wanted to do, there was no sign of it.
AA: How do you think diabetes affects your life?
KB: Diabetes had a positive impact on my life as I’ve decide to quit smoking after I had a heart attack. Before that, I was smoking approximately 40 cigarettes a day. I also tried to refrain from unhealthy food such as sugary drinks, sweets, ice-cream, cakes, durians and other items with high carbohydrate content e.g. rice and bread. Additionally, I tried to reduce my weight and fats with a more active lifestyle. However, there was also a negative side to having diabetes. For instance, I have to watch what I eat all the time and I feel guilty when I snack on food that I like. I also need to prick my finger regularly for blood test which checks my glucose level. Aside from that, I need to be extra careful about food intake the days before I see the doctor.
AA: Having being diagnosed with this ailment, what sort of diet are you adhering to at this point in time?
KB: To manage my condition, I reduced my carbohydrate intake and increased my consumption of vegetables, fruits and nuts. I also tried not to overeat and used sugar substitutes for coffee. These days, I drink my coffee black with no sugar.
AA: What diabetes complications have you faced?
KB: I have Hypoglycemia – low blood glucose level. Once, because of this condition I had a hallucination and another time, I fainted. In the long run, there is a possibility that I might have stroke, blindness, heart attack, kidney failure resulting in dialysis, gangrene and amputation of legs which may cause me to be wheelchair-bound.
AA: What medications do you take to manage it?
KB: My doctor prescribed me Galvus Met (50 mg) which I take one tablet (twice a day); Glipizide (2.5 mg) at lunch time and (5 mg) at dinner time.
AA: What strategies to you use for managing your diabetes?
KB: To manage my condition, I consult the doctor and follow the doctor’s prescription strictly. I also take medicine faithfully and go for blood tests based on the frequency advised and record the results to show the doctor during each consultation. Additionally, my blood is tested for a three-month average glucose level as directed by my doctor. Every six months, I have my eyes checked by the eye surgeon and have my feet checked annually for diabetic foot screening. My kidneys are also checked regularly as advised by my doctor.
