The essentials of diabetes prevention and management during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Diabetes cases are soaring at alarming rates globally,

majorly type 2 diabetes, with 90% of cases while the

Africa and Asia continents will be the epicenter and

battlegrounds for the condition in the coming years.

Presently, the world is faced with a coronavirus disease

(COVID-19) pandemic, and similar to many other

diseases, diabetes shares negative associations with

COVID-19 in terms of disease severity and outcomes,

some of which are longer hospitalization, higher risk

of mortality, longer periods of recovery, higher odds

of admission into the intensive care unit (ICU), and

higher risk of severe illnesses in association with other

co-morbidities.

To this end, there is a need for an efficient diabetes

prevention and management plan that is generally

accepted among all populations worldwide during the

pandemic and afterward. In this respect, this narrative

review provides a broad overview on research detailing

effective preventive and management alternatives

against diabetes, and findings affirmed that engaging

in regular physical activities, adequate intake of dietary

fiber, intake of total plant foods, quitting and avoiding

smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding the

intake of alcohol, avoiding fats and sugary laden diets,

avoiding drugs and medications that cause diabetes,

controlling blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases,

infection prevention, regular medical checkup and

screening, and prevention of depression and stress will

offer beneficial effects in the prevention of diabetes,

preventing the progression of diabetes among the

high-risk population, and the prevention of complications

among diabetes patients during and after the

pandemic.