World Diabetes Day - Know the risks, know how to respond

On November 14, 2023, we will usher in the 17th United Nations Diabetes Day. This year's theme is "Know the Risks, Know the Responses". The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Diabetes Map shows that the number of people with diabetes in my country ranks first in the world. It is estimated that the number of people with diabetes will rise to 164 million in 2030, with a prevalence of 11.8%[1]. It is estimated that by 2045, the number of people with diabetes will rise to 174 million, with a prevalence of 12.5%. The prevention and treatment of diabetes is urgent. Type 2 diabetes accounts for more than 90% of the diabetic population[2].

World Diabetes Day

November 14, 2023 is the 17th United Nations Diabetes Day. The theme of this campaign is "Everyone has access to diabetes health management" and the slogan is "Know the risks, know the responses."

Diabetes Definition

Diabetes is a metabolic disease characterized by elevated blood sugar levels due to defects in insulin secretion and/or action. The typical symptoms of diabetes are "three mores and one less" (drinking more, eating more, urinating more, and losing weight). People who have typical symptoms of diabetes and meet any of the following conditions can be diagnosed with diabetes:

1. Blood glucose ≥11.1mmol/L (200mg/dl) at any time of the day;

2. Fasting blood glucose level ≥7.0mmol/L (126mg/dl);

3. Blood glucose level ≥11.1mmol/L (200mg/dl) 2 hours after oral glucose tolerance test.

People at high risk of diabetes

People who have any of the following factors are at high risk of diabetes

Age ≥40 years; overweight and obesity; hypertension; dyslipidemia; sedentary lifestyle; family history of diabetes; history of gestational diabetes; history of giving birth to a macrosomia (birth weight ≥4 kg). 6.1 mmol/L≤ fasting blood glucose (FBG) <7.0mmol/L, or 7.8mmol/L≤ 2-hour blood glucose after glucose load (2hPG) <11.1mmol/L indicates impaired glucose regulation, also known as prediabetes, and is a very high-risk group for diabetes.

The dangers of diabetes

1. Common symptoms:

Sudden vision loss; "three more and one less" symptoms; fatigue, obesity (obesity is common before the onset of type 2 diabetes. If not diagnosed in time, weight will gradually decrease); numbness and coldness of fingers; slow wound healing.

2. Manifestations of complications:

Diabetic nephropathy; diabetic retinopathy; diabetic neuropathy; diabetic lower limb vasculopathy.

Health management for patients with diabetes

diet

We should pay attention to a reasonable diet and balanced nutrition, and do the "three reductions" - reducing salt, oil and sugar. Appropriately increase the intake of non-starchy vegetables, fruits, whole grains and protein-rich foods, reduce the intake of refined grains, and minimize the intake of saturated fatty acids; foods rich in trans fatty acids should be strictly limited.

sports

It is recommended to do moderate-intensity exercise for more than half an hour every day for at least 5 days a week. When exercising, you need to prevent hypoglycemia and falls, and you should proceed step by step and do what you can.

monitor

Monitor for possible symptoms of diabetes, such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, slow wound healing, blurred vision, and lack of energy.

Medicine, education

Under the guidance of a doctor, nutritional therapy, exercise therapy, drug therapy, health education and blood sugar monitoring are carried out.

Prevention of diabetes

First of all, we must develop a healthy lifestyle and reduce the risk of diabetes through a reasonable diet, moderate exercise, and weight control.

For specific prevention methods, you can refer to this "500111" rule:

5. Exercise 5 days a week, at least half an hour a day

0: Avoid sugary drinks

0: No more eating after dinner

1: Obese people should reduce 1 liang of staple food per meal

1: Eat at least 1 catties of vegetables every day

1: Eat out at most once a week

In addition, another key to preventing diabetes is to pay attention to screening.

People at high risk of diabetes should start diabetes screening as early as possible. For those with normal screening results, it is recommended to be screened every 3 years; for those with prediabetes, it is recommended to be screened once a year.

In fact, having diabetes is not terrible. What is terrible is the serious complications caused by it. If the body is in a state of high blood sugar for a long time or has large fluctuations in blood sugar, it will damage the micro-vessels, large blood vessels and nervous system, endangering all tissues and organs in the body, and eventually causing serious consequences such as disability and death. It can be seen that the harm of diabetes complications is far greater than diabetes itself. Let's first understand what are the common complications of diabetes?

How to deal with complications?

Diabetics need regular check-ups

Patients with diabetic urine often cannot feel these complications in the early stages and can only be discovered through comprehensive examinations. Therefore, comprehensive examinations and regular follow-up visits are of great significance for early detection of complications, correct assessment of the condition, timely and comprehensive understanding of changes in the condition, and scientific guidance of clinical treatment. Routine examination items include: "blood sugar spectrum" including: before three meals, 2 hours after three meals, glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin release experiment, C-peptide test, examination of diabetes-related antibodies, urine routine, urine microalbumin, examination of diabetes-related complications: fundus screening, cardiovascular-related examinations, peripheral neuropathy detection, blood lipids, liver function, etc.

“Understand the risks, learn how to respond, prevent type 2 diabetes, manage diabetes, and practice a healthy lifestyle!”

References

[1]International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas 2022 Report [EB/OL]. 10th edition 2020. https://diabetesatlas.org/data/en/country/42/cn.html.

[2] Guidelines for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes in China (2020 edition). Chinese Medical Association Diabetes Branch, International Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Vol. 41, No. 5, 2021, pp. 482-548.