Over 2.5M Vietnamese undiagnosed diabetes: May you be among these cases?

In the world, a person out of ten people diagnoses diabetes. In 2021, the number of diabete cases, as concerning, is more and more rejuvenated, and rapidly increasing between the ages 20 and 79, according to the International Diabetes Federation. In Vietnam,  the number of Vietnamese with diabetes is around 5 million cases in 2022. According to Nguyen Thi Lien Huong, Deputy Minister of Health, in only 3 years (2019 - 2022), the number of cases will increase by 1.5M cases. As predicted, the number of people with diabetes in Vietnam is expected to quickly rise in the coming years. In 2019, the Ministry of Health announced there were 3.5 million Vietnamese afflicted with diabetes, and the figure could double in 2045. Among these 3.5 million cases, around 69% were undiagnosed, and only 29% were in treatment. Meaning, there are around 2.5M Vietnamese with diabetes unacknowledged.

Previously, the elder had a high rate of diabetes. Nowadays, the rate of diabetes is increasingly in young people. Unhealthy lifestyles might be the primary reasons: consuming too much sugar and fat, not enough fiber, less physical exercises,... In celebration of World Diabetes Day on November 14, have a right recognition about diabetes and how to prevent it properly. 

1. Causes of diabetes and signs to recognize

Diabetes is a heterogeneous metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia due to defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Chronic elevation of glucose for a long time causes disturbances in carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolism, causing damage to many different organs, especially in the heart and blood vessels, kidneys, eyes, and nerves.

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

a) 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.

b) 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

• In addition, diabetes due to other causes, such as Neonatal diabetes or diabetes caused by the use of drugs and chemicals such as glucocorticoid use, HIV/AIDS treatment or after tissue transplantation, etc.

2. Various and unpredictable 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.

3. 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.

Besides, we 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:

DIABETES SCREENING TEST

As mentioned, diabetes progresses unpredictably, silently, occurring at any age. Therefore, disease screening is necessary when early detection and timely control of the disease. When using the diabetes screening package, you will get the following benefits:

1. CONSULTATION WITH SPECIALIST                                                                             

• CHECK THE BODY INDEX

• INTERNAL MEDICINE

2. IMAGING

• ELECTROCARDIOGRAM (IDENTIFY CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE)                                                  

3. LABORATORY

• GLUCOSE

• HBA1C

• URINALYSIS

• KIDNEY FUNCTION (UREA/ CREATININE)

• LIPID PROFILE (TOTAL CHOLESTEROL, LDL CHOLESTEROL, HDL CHOLESTEROL, TRIGLYCERIDE)

SCREENING FOR DIABETES COMPLICATIONS TEST

Prevent dangerous complications and get advice on how to make the right lifestyle changes. Necessary items include:

1. CONSULTATION WITH SPECIALIST                                                                             

• CHECK THE BODY INDEX

• INTERNAL MEDICINE

• OPHTHALMOLOGY (CATARACTS)

2. IMAGING

• ECG

• ECHOCARDIOGRAM

• CAROTID ULTRASOUND (IDENTIFY ARTERIOSCLEROSIS)

• VASCULAR ULTRASOUND                                                     

3. LABORATORY

• GLUCOSE

• HBA1C

• URINALYSIS (IDENTIFY HYPERGLYCEMIA, DIABETES)

• LIVER FUNCTION (AST, ALT)

• KIDNEY FUNCTION (URE, CREATININE)

• LIPID PROFILE (TOTAL CHOLESTEROL, LDL CHOLESTEROL, HDL CHOLESTEROL, TRIGLYCERIDE)

Thus, building and maintaining healthy habits is also a good method to help us prevent diabetes before it's too late: increase physical activity, eat healthy vegetables, control weight. When taking care of health becomes a habit, we not only prevent and control diabetes but also other potential diseases.

Immediately screen for diabetes and related complications at CarePlus international clinic system to have a prevention plan and timely treatment, to avoid dangerous complications later. In addition, you can use other convenient and comprehensive medical services from Careplus Vietnam.

For advice on details of the examination package as well as how to make an appointment, please contact:

• Hotline: 1800 6116

• Email: info@careplusvn.com

• Fanpage: CarePlus Clinic Vietnam