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AIDS is caused by HIV, namely the human immunodeficiency virus, which attacks the immune system (immune). People with HIV / AIDS (PLWHA) need to undergo lifelong treatment to strengthen the immune system so that they are not easily infected with other diseases. However, these so-called antiretroviral medications usually cause a number of side effects. One of the side effects is that it increases the risk of diabetes. Therefore, PLWHA should check for diabetes before and during HIV treatment. If you or someone close to you has HIV, find out how antiretroviral drugs can increase your risk of diabetes. That way, you can anticipate and find solutions to overcome them.
How does diabetes develop?
Diabetes is a disease in which insulin in the body is damaged or not produced at all. Insulin is a hormone whose job is to process glucose (sugar) in the body. Thus, insulin disturbance causes glucose that is too high in the blood.
Glucose comes from the breakdown of food and drink consumed and is the main source of energy. Diabetes can cause serious health problems, including heart and blood vessel disease, nerve damage, blindness, stroke, and kidney disease. Fortunately, diabetes can be controlled with diet, exercise and medication.
Glucose is carried in the blood to cells throughout the body. The hormone insulin helps move glucose into cells. After entering the cells, glucose is used to produce energy. When the body has difficulty moving glucose into cells, glucose will settle in the blood and can cause complications of diabetes.
Why should PLWHA check for diabetes?
Risk factors for diabetes include being over 45 years of age, family history of diabetes, being overweight, lack of physical activity, and health conditions or a history of certain diseases.
Well, the use of some HIV drugs such as nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and protease inhibitors (PIs) can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes in people with HIV. These HIV drugs make it more difficult for the body to respond to and use insulin (known as insulin resistance). Insulin resistance causes high blood glucose levels, which can lead to type 2 diabetes.
Because of this treatment, people living with HIV / AIDS are more susceptible to diabetes. So, diabetes may appear as a side effect of the treatment of AIDS, which has already attacked the patient.
How do PLWHA check for diabetes?
A common test used to diagnose diabetes is the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test. The FPG test measures the amount of glucose in the blood after a person has not eaten or fasted for 8 hours.
People with HIV need to know their blood glucose levels before starting treatment with HIV drugs. People with glucose levels above normal may need to avoid using some HIV medications. A blood glucose test is also important after starting HIV treatment. If testing shows high glucose levels, HIV drug changes may be needed. However, these all must be consulted with the doctor who treats you.
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