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Hello everyone, I am a doctor in the endocrinology department. Today, I want to share a problem that is becoming increasingly common in our daily lives — diabetes. As a chronic disease, diabetes not only affects the physical health of patients but may also lead to various complications. In this article, I will explain in detail the knowledge related to diabetes to help everyone better understand and cope with this disease.
1. Causes and Classification of Diabetes
Diabetes is mainly divided into two major types: Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is caused by an absolute deficiency of insulin secretion, leading to an inability to lower blood sugar normally. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, involves insulin resistance and relatively insufficient insulin secretion, resulting in the inability to lower blood sugar to normal levels.
2. Diagnostic Criteria for Diabetes
The diagnosis of diabetes is primarily based on the following three criteria:
Fasting Blood Sugar: Refers to blood sugar values after fasting for more than 8 hours. The normal range is 3.9-6.1 mmol/L; if fasting blood sugar ≥ 7.0 mmol/L, diabetes may be diagnosed.
Postprandial Blood Sugar (2 hours after a meal): Refers to the blood sugar value calculated two hours after the first bite of food. The normal range is ≤ 7.8 mmol/L; if postprandial blood sugar ≥ 11.1 mmol/L, diabetes may be diagnosed.
Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c): Reflects the average blood sugar levels over the past three months. The normal range is 4.0-6.0%; if HbA1c ≥ 6.5%, diabetes may be diagnosed.
3. Dangers of Diabetes
Long-term high blood sugar can lead to various complications, such as cardiovascular diseases, kidney diseases, retinal diseases, and neuropathies. These complications severely affect the quality of life for patients and can even threaten their lives.
4. Treatment of Diabetes
The treatment of diabetes mainly includes medication, lifestyle intervention, and blood sugar monitoring. Medication primarily involves oral hypoglycemic agents and insulin injections. Lifestyle interventions include proper diet, moderate exercise, and avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol intake. Blood sugar monitoring helps patients understand blood sugar fluctuations and make timely adjustments to their treatment plans.
Here, I want to remind everyone to pay attention to an important question: how to determine if you need to take hypoglycemic medication? The following three numbers can serve as a reference:
Fasting Blood Sugar: If fasting blood sugar is consistently between 7.0-10.0 mmol/L, it is recommended to take hypoglycemic medication under the guidance of a doctor.
Postprandial Blood Sugar (2 hours after a meal): If postprandial blood sugar is consistently between 10.0-14.0 mmol/L, it is recommended to take hypoglycemic medication under the guidance of a doctor.
HbA1c: If HbA1c is between 6.5%-8.0%, it is recommended to take hypoglycemic medication under the guidance of a doctor.
Of course, the specific medication situation should also consider factors such as the patient’s age, duration of illness, and complications, with personalized treatment plans developed by specialized doctors.
5. Daily Life Management for Diabetes Patients
In addition to medication, diabetes patients also need to focus on daily life management. Here, I would like to recommend a blood sugar management assistant. With this assistant, patients can transmit monitoring data in real-time, record dietary and exercise situations, and adjust their lifestyle habits based on the data. Additionally, some platforms have prepared a list of sugar-free foods that can be collected for free in the marketplace. These sugar-free foods can satisfy taste while effectively controlling blood sugar, making them a great helper for diabetes patients.
In summary, although diabetes can be frightening, as long as we master the relevant knowledge, actively cooperate with treatment, and maintain good lifestyle habits, we can effectively control the condition and enjoy a wonderful life. I hope this article can help everyone, and if you have any questions, please feel free to consult a professional doctor. Let us work together to overcome diabetes!
