The potential of developing diabetes after Covid-19 infection

There are cases that Covid-19 patients have been developing symptoms of diabetes after infection. According to new research being pursued by scientists, the Covid-19 virus could be harming vital cells in the pancreas and leaving people with diabetes.

But as the pandemic progresses, a growing number of reports suggest that people who caught Covid-19 notice diabetes symptoms for the first time.

In conjunction with World Diabetes Day 2021 and in partnership with Institut Jantung Negara (IJN), we speak to Professor Dr. Nor Azmi Kamaruddin, Consultant Endocrinologist at Institut Jantung Negara.

Prof. Dr. Nor Azmi shares his medical insights on developing diabetes after Covid-19 infection. Firstly, he explains that diabetes is an overabundance of blood sugar caused by the body’s inability to produce enough insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar, or its resistance to it.

He further explains what causes diabetes and the different types of diabetes. Prof. Dr. Azmi also talks about:

new findings that found people who caught Covid-19 notice diabetes symptoms for the first time and his views on whether there is an association to coronavirus, or does it brings out the disease sooner than it would have otherwise been identified.
the risks associated with it.
the changes that could occur to the insulin producing cells in the pancreas following Covid-19 infection.
why the insulin producing cells in the pancreas are more prone to damage following Covid-19 infection.
high dose steroids (dexamethasone) given for more than a week to those who require oxygen during Covid infection may also predispose individuals into developing Type 2 diabetes.
the warning signs of having developed diabetes after the coronavirus infection.
how to prevent gaining weight after hospitalisation for Covid-19.
advise for diabetic patients.