Diabetes, a disease called "sweet burden", has more and more patients in China. According to statistics, the number of patients with diabetes in China is close to 100 million, and it is increasing year by year. Diabetes not only affects the quality of life of patients, but also causes many complications, which brings heavy burden to society and families. So, in the face of diabetes, which is difficult to overcome, how should we scientifically deal with it?
1、 Know diabetes
diabetes is a common metabolic disease, which is characterized by insufficient insulin secretion or blocked insulin action, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. Long term elevated blood sugar can cause damage to various organs throughout the body, such as the kidneys, nervous system, cardiovascular system, etc., leading to serious complications.
The typical symptoms of diabetes include polydipsia, polyuria, polydipsia and weight loss, that is, "more than three and less". These symptoms usually appear when blood sugar levels are significantly elevated, but some patients may not have obvious symptoms or may experience other atypical symptoms such as fatigue, blurred vision, and numbness in the hands and feet. Therefore, regular physical examination is very important for early detection of abnormal blood sugar, prevention and control of diabetes.
The etiology of diabetes is complex, including genetic factors, environmental factors and other factors. For example, family heredity, bad lifestyle, eating habits, lack of exercise, etc. may lead to the occurrence of diabetes. Therefore, prevention of diabetes needs to start from many aspects, such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle, reasonable diet, proper exercise, etc.
2、 Complications of diabetes
Complications of diabetes involve multiple organs, including cardiovascular, kidney, eyes, feet, nervous system, etc. The occurrence and development of complications not only affect the quality of life of patients, but also shorten their lifespan. The common complications of diabetes are as follows: ① Arteriosclerosis: diabetes will lead to the deposition of lipids in the blood in the blood vessels, forming arteriosclerosis, which will lead to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. ② Nephropathy: diabetes nephropathy is one of the most common complications of diabetes, which can lead to renal failure in severe cases. ③ Retinopathy: Long term hyperglycemia can lead to retinal lesions, manifested as decreased vision, blurred vision, etc. ④ Neuropathy: diabetes neuropathy is mainly manifested by numbness, pain, diarrhea, etc. of hands and feet. ⑤ Cardiovascular disease: diabetes patients have increased risk of cardiovascular disease, such as myocardial infarction, cerebral infarction, etc.
3、 Scientific response to diabetes
Faced with the sweet burden of diabetes, patients should take the following measures:
1. Adjust diet
diabetes patients need to control their total calorie intake, avoid excessive sugar and fat intake, and calculate the daily total calories required according to personal circumstances. Increasing the intake of dietary fiber and protein can help control blood sugar levels. Moderate intake of protein can provide satiety and maintain muscle and bone health. Limit the intake of high sugar, high-fat, and high salt foods to avoid elevated blood sugar levels and increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
2. Increase exercise
Increase exercise is the key measure for diabetes patients to control blood sugar and improve insulin resistance. Moderate exercise helps muscles utilize glucose, lower blood sugar, and increase the body's sensitivity to insulin. It is recommended to engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per week, such as brisk walking, jogging, swimming, or cycling. Reasonably arrange exercise time and intensity based on personal physical condition and exercise habits to ensure safety. Long term exercise not only helps with blood sugar control, but also improves overall physical fitness and prevents complications.
3. Regular monitoring
Regular monitoring is very important for patients with diabetes, which helps to pay close attention to the changes in the condition, find abnormalities in time and take measures. By monitoring indicators such as blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood lipids, patients can understand changes in their condition, control their blood sugar levels, and discover other potential complications such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia, and intervene and treat them in a timely manner. For blood glucose monitoring, it is recommended to conduct fasting blood glucose monitoring and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose monitoring at least once a day. If blood glucose control is unstable or there are abnormal fluctuations, the monitoring frequency should be increased and adjusted according to the doctor's advice. For monitoring blood pressure and blood lipids, it is recommended to have a check-up every six months to one year.
4. Drug treatment
Under the guidance of doctors, diabetes patients can use hypoglycemic drugs, such as insulin, oral hypoglycemic drugs, etc., to control blood sugar levels. At the same time, patients need to use medication according to the doctor's advice and should not change the dosage or stop taking medication at will.
5. Cultivate good living habits
It is very important for diabetes patients to control their blood sugar level to quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption and keep adequate sleep. Smoking can damage blood vessels and tissues and aggravate diabetes, while drinking can lead to hypoglycemia and other problems. Therefore, people with diabetes should quit smoking and limit drinking. Meanwhile, insufficient sleep can affect the body's metabolism and hormone secretion, thereby affecting blood sugar control. In order to maintain blood sugar stability, diabetes patients should keep adequate sleep time.
Diabetes is a chronic lifelong disease, but it is not invincible. Patients and their families should build confidence, actively cooperate with doctors' treatment, control blood sugar well, and reduce the risk of complications. At the same time, the society should also pay attention to the physical and mental health of diabetes patients and provide them with more care and support. Let's work together to defeat diabetes and enjoy a healthy life!