Two-thirds of people with diabetes do not know they have it

Personal blood glucose meter. Vietnam currently has approximately 2 million people with diabetes. Of which, about 65% did not know they had this disease. This is one of the reasons why patients are very likely to experience complications such as blindness, disability, stroke .

Dr. Ta Van Binh, director of the Central Endocrinology Hospital, said that since 1990, the rate of diabetes has increased 10 times in major cities. Experts from the World Health Organization said that the rate of diabetes development in Vietnam is still higher than their prediction. This disease usually occurs in the fifties, but is currently rejuvenating. Many young people, even children, have diabetes.

Symptoms of diabetes are always thirsty, excessive urination, fatigue, sudden weight loss, or infection (especially skin, genital and urinary) and healing wounds. However, symptoms in patients with type 2 diabetes are often atypical.

Who is prone to diabetes?

- Age over 45.
- Someone in the family has diabetes.
- High blood pressure.
- Overweight, obesity.
- There are blood lipid disorders.
- Has impaired glucose tolerance or fasting blood sugar disorder.
- Each child has more than 4 kg or has gestational diabetes.

So many people have diseases without knowing it. According to Dr. Binh, the subjectivity and ignorance of people about the disease is the biggest obstacle in the treatment of diabetes today. Those who are at high risk have been warned but still have not really paid attention, not having regular health checks to detect and treat early. Even many people who have been identified as having a disease do not go to the examination, take drugs or quit smoking on their own, when going to the hospital, there are often complications, such as stroke, peripheral circulatory disorders, foot necrosis, even amputated legs, kidney failure, impotence, blindness .

'Check your blood sugar to see if you are in a safe or dangerous area, because your blood sugar may be frightening even if you feel completely normal,' said Dr. Binh. This index is too high or too low to bring unhappiness, leading to coma and even death. High blood sugar above 8 mmol / dl can lead to damage in many important parts like the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves. Many studies show that of 10 deaths from type 2 diabetes, 7 have cardiovascular complications, mainly stroke and stroke. Diabetes is one of the main causes of end-stage renal failure, the season of retinopathy.

Professor Le Ngoc Trong, Deputy Minister of Health, said that diabetes is a serious threat to the carrier and causes many complications (every 2 patients have one complication). From the 18th century and earlier, most people with diabetes died within a short time due to lack of treatment. Since the beginning of the 19th century, Fredric Banting has discovered insulin and this drug has won life from the death of diabetes patients. His birth date (November 14) was chosen as the day to prevent world diabetes.

In response to World Diabetes Day, on the morning of November 12, the Central Endocrinology Hospital will hold a meeting at Thong Nhat Park (Hanoi) with the theme 'Stay away from dangerous blood sugar'. There will be free programs such as blood sugar measurement, counseling and instructions on how to self-check blood sugar at home, advice on nutrition and exercise to prevent diabetes.
Hai Ha