Diabetes is silently but have many unpredictable complications

1. What is diabetes?

Diabetes (diabetes) is a disorder of the metabolism of sugar in the body. It occurs when the pancreas does not produce the hormone insulin by itself or the insulin content is sufficient but not working properly. A deficiency of insulin causes blood sugar levels to rise beyond the limits. To a certain extent when the kidneys are absorbed, the sugar in the blood will be eliminated through the urine, causing diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a disorder in the metabolism of sugar in the blood

The glycemic index (the concentration of glucose in the blood) is too high for a long time, causing many dangerous complications such as:

• Disorders of carbohydrate, protein, lipid metabolism.

• Damage to internal organs, especially the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nervous system.

2. What are the types of diabetes?

Diabetes has 3 main types, including:

 

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder where the body is unable to produce insulin

- Type 1 diabetes mellitus: Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder, accounting for about 10% of all cases. The body is unable to produce insulin because the immune system attacks the beta cells in the pancreas. Without insulin, glucose will not be used, causing rising in blood glucose levels. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes usually appear very early and at a young age, mostly in children or adolescents.

- Type 2 diabetes: Diabetes is not dependent on insulin hormone, accounting for the highest percentage (about 90% - 95%) of the total number of cases. The disease usually appears in adulthood, but the infected people tend to rejuvenate. At the onset stage, beta cells in the pancreas can still produce insulin, but the body begins to develop insulin resistance, not converting glucose into energy to feed the body. Type 2 diabetes is often linked to obesity and lack of exercise.

Type 2 diabetes is often associated with obesity and lack of exercise

- Gestational diabetes: This type of diabetes occurs only in pregnant women, when blood glucose levels are high but the body cannot produce enough insulin to balance it.

Gestational diabetes causes many dangerous complications if left unchecked

About 5% of pregnant women can develop diabetes and most will go away on their own after giving birth. However, gestational diabetes can have a lot of affection to the fetus and has a high chance of developing type 2 diabetes after birth. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the disease to prevent dangerous complications for mother and fetus.

3. Causes and signs of the disease

3.1. Reason: Causes of diabetes are divided into 2 main groups as follows:

Causes that cannot be prevented:

• A relative's history of diabetes.

• Exposure to certain viruses that cause disease.

• Having diseases in the pancreas that affect pancreatic hormones such as pancreatic stones, pancreatic fibrosis, pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis.

• Suffering from endocrine diseases.

• Cushing's syndrome.

• Enlarged head disease.

• Drug-induced diabetes such as corticosteroids, thiazide diuretics, iron infections.

The causes can be prevented:

• A weakened immune system causes white blood cells to attack beta cells.

• Have had gestational diabetes but have not been screened.

• Being old

• Not a scientific diet

• Lack of vitamin D.

• The hormone that sustains pregnancy causes the cells to become insulin resistant.

• Fat.

• Hypertension.

• Glucose metabolism disorder.

• Sedentary

3.2. Symptom: Diabetes can be identified by a few symptoms such as:

• Dry mouth, thirst, drink plenty of water.

• Urinate often, especially at night.

• Tired for unknown reasons.

• Rapid weight loss.

Symptoms of diabetes are rapid weight loss, fatigue

Symptoms with type 1 diabetes:

• Fungal infections, urinary tract infections: The high amount of sugar in the urine creates conditions for bacteria to grow, causing urinary tract infections.

• Cramping: occurs when the nervous system is damaged, causing leg pain, tingling, numbness or cramps.

• Constipation: High blood sugar lowers the water content in the intestine, damages the autonomic nervous system, reduces bowel movements and leads to constipation.

• Skin infections, open wounds, and ulcers take a long time to heal.

• Blurred vision: Small blood vessels in the retina are damaged by increased blood sugar. This causes fluid from the lumen of the vessel such as lipoprotein, plasma to seep through the vessel wall and leak out in the retina.

Marked loss of vision are also one of the common signs 

Symptoms for type 2 diabetes:

• Eat a lot but get hungry quickly: The patient's body does not produce enough insulin to transfer sugar into the cells, causing the muscles and organs to lose energy, causing a feeling of hunger.

• Wounds, ulcers are easy to bleed, take a long time to heal.

• Sexual disorders: erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, premature ejaculation 

• Visually impaired eyesight.

• Tingling, burning skin pain, especially the skin in the groin, vaginal area.

4. Dangerous complications of diabetes

Diabetes develops quietly with signs that are easily confused with many other conditions. Without early detection and timely treatment, the disease can lead to many dangerous complications.

- Acute complications: occurring suddenly, in a short time

• Coma: The glycemic index is too high, causing the patient to fall into a coma due to ketoacidosis (more common in type 1 diabetes) or a coma with increased osmotic pressure (common in type 2 diabetes).

• Trembling, sweating, anxiety, dizziness, palpitations are signs of hypoglycemia. If not treated in time, too low blood sugar can cause brain death, leading to death.

- Chronic complications:

• Cardiovascular diseases: coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident causing paralysis, death.

• Nerve damage: peripheral neuropathy and vegetative nerve.

• Kidney damage: impaired filtration, excretion, renal failure.

• Eye damage: rupture or blockage of small blood vessels in the retina, cataracts, glaucoma, blindness.

• Skin diseases: infections caused by bacteria, fungi.

• Deaf.

• Alzheimer.

5. What should diabetes’s diet look like?

5.1. Foods

Vegetables contain high antioxidants, phytochemicals, vitamins and natural minerals that are capable of boosting the body's immune system. Some vegetables have low Carbohydrates, Calories which help control blood sugar very well such as radish, kale, broccoli, spinach, beets, cabbage, asparagus, beans.

 

Eat plenty of green vegetables, fruits and vegetables with high in vitamins and minerals

• Low-sugar fruits such as oranges, tangerines, grapefruit, guava, apples which are a source of vitamins. In particular, the slow sugar (sugar needs to undergo digestion to be absorbed into the body) in these fruits helps to keep blood sugar levels stable.

• Lean meats, especially lean beef, contain a lot of synthetic linoleic acid, which improves the function of blood sugar metabolism.

• Types of fish: Omega 3 fatty acid content in fish such as salmon, tuna, and fish is very high, very good for people with diabetes, people with heart disease. However, fish should be prepared with steamed dishes, soups, and should not be fried or fried.

• Plant-based fats: Instead of fats of animal origin, people with diabetes should include fats in nuts such as almonds, walnuts or oils from avocado and beans. peanut, olive.

5.2. Food to avoid:

Avoid sweet, starchy, fatty and canned foods

• Limit confectionery, soft drinks, sweet fruits

• Starch: Diabetics should limit their carbohydrate intake. Foods that contain high amounts of starch such as rice, vermicelli, pho, porridge, potatoes, corn should not be used too much, instead, sick people can cook soup, brown rice.

• Fast food, high in saturated fat, cholesterol: Eating foods high in fat is the cause of weight gain and difficult to control blood sugar. Therefore, people with diabetes should abstain from animal-derived foods such as fatty meats, cheese, dairy, or foods containing trans fats such as fast food, canned foods.

• Dried Fruit contains a high amount of sugar, not good for sick people.

• Alcoholic beverages

6. Prevent diabetes

Diabetes is closely related to diet and living habits. Therefore, to prevent the disease, you need to build a scientific diet and actively change harmful habits. Specifically:

• Keep track of your weight and maintain a stable BMI.

• Drink enough water every day.

• Eat more vegetables.

• Get enough sleep.

• Develop a diet that is low in glucose while ensuring the necessary nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

• Reduce stress, pressure.

• Exercise for 30 minutes/day.

• Quit smoking.

Diabetes is a chronic disease with many dangerous complications. So, when there are abnormal signs, you should be examined as soon as possible. When screening for diabetes, choose reputable clinics for a fast screening process, accurate diagnosis results and appropriate treatment methods.

Early diabetes screening is the most effective treatment 

Early screening for diabetes to protect your quality of life

If you are in an at-risk group or have one of the symptoms listed above, consult your doctor and get the necessary tests to screen for diabetes early to prevent the disease from progressing. Late stage and many complications.

Diabetes screening package at CarePlus - Only 990,000 VND. Includes full items:

• A specialist doctor examines and advises: Check body parameters, General Examination

• Diagnostic imaging: Electrocardiogram (Evaluation of cardiac pathology)

• Laboratory tests: HBA1C, Blood sugar (Glucose), Urinalysis, Kidney function (Urea, Creatinine), Blood lipids (Total cholesterol, LDL-Cholesterol, HDL-Cholesterol, Triglycerides)

CarePlus International Clinic System is one of the most popular places to diagnose diabetes and its complications.

In particular, our team of doctors pays excellent attention to combining drug and non-drug treatments to achieve long-term effectiveness and safety for patients. The doctor will give in-depth advice on nutrition and exercise suitable for each person and guide the patient to change a healthy lifestyle.

Please call the hotline 18006116 (toll-free) or inbox Fanpage/Zalo CarePlus Clinic Vietnam or register online at the website. Download the CarePlus app for faster scheduling and more convenient calendar tracking!

CAREPLUS INTERNATIONAL CLINIC SYSTEM - Member of Singapore Medical Group

• Branch 1: 66 - 68 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1, City. Ho Chi Minh City

• Branch 2: 2nd Floor, Crescent Plaza, 105 Ton Dat Tien, Tan Phu Ward, District 7, City. Ho Chi Minh City

• Branch 3: 107 Tan Hai, Ward 13, Tan Binh District, City. Ho Chi Minh City