As a common chronic disease, diabetes is mainly due to impaired pancreatic function, resulting in insufficient insulin secretion, leading to disturbances in sugar, fat, and protein metabolism.
Case:
47-year-old Wang Dajie retired early at home because her children were very capable, and the family conditions were good, so she often helped take care of the children and led a very leisurely life.
However, as she aged, Wang Dajie gradually felt that her physical condition was not as good as before. She mentioned that this year, she often felt very blurry vision and a significant decline in eyesight. At the same time, her weight was also rapidly decreasing.
Feeling concerned, Wang Dajie went to the hospital for a checkup, and the report showed that her blood sugar level had reached 9.1 mmol/L. The doctor informed her that elevated blood sugar should not be ignored and advised her to gain more professional knowledge to better stabilize her condition.
The doctor mentioned that many diabetes patients still do not have a correct understanding of it, and many patients have misconceptions about it, often delaying subsequent treatment.
There are three major misconceptions about type 2 diabetes that are worth understanding:
1. Diabetes is mainly caused by eating too much sugar or sweets.
This statement is incorrect; diabetes is a chronic disease caused by long-term genetic and environmental factors.
2. Diabetes is a disease of middle and old age.
Currently, diabetes is becoming younger, and young people, if they indulge in excessive dietary habits, may also develop diabetes.
3. Controlling diabetes by taking medication on time can stabilize blood sugar.
There are multiple factors causing diabetes, and controlling it requires a comprehensive approach. Therefore, controlling blood sugar is difficult through medication alone. It’s best to understand diabetes-related knowledge, self-manage, and help control blood sugar levels more effectively.
With the help of the doctor, Wang Dajie spent half a year lowering her blood sugar to 5.8, and the doctor highly praised her approach.
Additionally, to properly control blood sugar, two things must be done well:
1. Stick to moderate exercise.
People with high blood sugar must cultivate the habit of daily exercise for at least half an hour. Consistent exercise can help the recovery of blood sugar.
Research shows that those who consistently engage in moderate exercise can regularly consume lipids and sugars in the body, promote blood flow, reduce blood viscosity, and help stabilize blood sugar.
2. Avoid staying up late.
Due to the advancement of electronic devices, many elderly people also stay up late. This habit may seem to alleviate the negative effects through adequate rest, but for individuals with poor blood sugar conditions, it exacerbates the situation.
During late nights, hormonal changes occur due to altered habits, leading to worsened insulin secretion. High blood sugar or diabetes patients’ sugar metabolism is further impaired, worsening their condition. Therefore, stable blood sugar levels are essential, with the help of going to bed early and waking up early.
Reference: “Six Major Misunderstandings of Diabetes Treatment, Blind Dieting Is Not Advisable,” 2021
