Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces, which can lead to a series of metabolic disorder syndromes such as protein, fat and electrolytes, among which hyperglycemia is 
the main sign. The main clinical manifestations of diabetes are polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia and weight loss ("three more and one less"), as well as high blood sugar and glucose in the urine (normal urine should not contain glucose). If diabetes is not treated effectively, it can cause damage to multiple systems of the body.
According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), there are more than 400 million people with diabetes worldwide, and this number is expected to reach 590 million by 2030.
More than 537 million, 10.5% of the adult population (20-79 years) has diabetes, with almost HALF UNAWARE that they are living with the condition. To live a heathy life, there are 55 questions about diabetes that we must know!
Q1. How many typs does diabetes have?
The WHO divides diabetes into four types: type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, special types of diabetes, and gestational diabetes. Among them, type 2 diabetes and type 1 diabetes are the two main types.
Q2. What is type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes mostly occurs in children and is the result of a combination of factors such as viral infection and toxic environment.
Q3. What is type 2 diabetes?
More than 95% of diabetic patients have type 2 diabetes, which mostly occurs in people over 40 years old, especially in middle-aged and elderly patients.
Q4. Who is susceptible to type 2 diabetes?
- Those with a family history of diabetes;
- Those who are overweight or obese;
- For people over 40 years old, the incidence rate increases with age;
- Those suffering from metabolic syndrome, that is, those suffering from hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, hyperviscosity, and hyperuricemia.
Q5. What are the common symptoms of type 2 diabetes?
Frequent urination, especially nocturia, obvious hunger, eating too much, weight loss, loss of sexual desire, impotence, vulvar itching, numbness of the lower limbs, insensibility and local ulcers that cannot be healed after long-term treatment.
Q6. How is diabetes clinically diagnosed?
If there are typical symptoms of diabetes above in Q5:
- The random blood glucose in the vein is >11.1mmol/L, diabetes can be diagnosed,like 39 mmol hba1c,that can be sure for diabetes.
If the patient's fasting blood glucose is >7.0mmol/L, he or she may be diagnosed with
diabetes. There are also some patients whose symptoms are not very typical and their blood sugar is only slightly high. At this time, the health provider will recommend an OGTT, or oral glucose tolerance test,or a HbA1C blood test in blood or finger tip can auxiliary diagnose.
- After an oral glucose tolerance test, if the blood sugar 2 hours after a meal is >11.1mmol/L, the patient can be diagnosed with diabetes.
If there are no symptoms, it is recommended to retest the next day or next time to avoid false hba1c. The above are the diagnostic criteria for diabetes.
Once diagnosed, control goals will be set for the patient. The general framework is that fasting blood glucose should be between 4.4-7.0mmol/L, rather than <10mmol/L in the non-fasting state, and glycosylated hemoglobin should be below 7%. This is the general framework of the guidelines.
Within this framework, individualized treatment will also be achieved. The principle is that the younger the patient, the tighter the blood sugar control must be; while the older the patient, the blood sugar control can be relatively loose.
Q7. At what age should you start physical examination for diabetes?
It is recommended that the screening age for diabetes be advanced to 35 years old.
The American Diabetes Association's "Standards for Medical Diagnosis and Treatment of Diabetes (2021 Edition)" recommends that the entire population start screening for diabetes at the age of 45. However, in view of the younger trend of diabetic patients around the world, the latest published "Standards for Medical Diagnosis and Treatment of Diabetes (2022 Edition)" recommends that, The diabetes screening age for the entire population has been advanced from 45 to 35 years old, a full 10 years earlier. It is recommended that everyone should start screening for prediabetes and diabetes starting from the age of 35, regardless of whether they have diabetes risk factors such as obesity.
Q8. Is urine sugar used as a basis for diagnosing diabetes?
Urine glucose is not used as a basis for diagnosing diabetes, but is only used as a basis for testing the control of diabetes and providing the dosage of hypoglycemic drugs and insulin.
Q9. Is lower blood sugar better?
No, when blood sugar reaches 2.77 mmol/L (mmol/L) or 50 mg/dl, hypoglycemia may occur, resulting in hunger, fatigue, trembling hands, cold sweats, and pale complexion. If it continues to develop, it will Unconsciousness and coma occur.
Q10. What is fasting blood glucose?
The normal value of blood sugar measured after fasting for 8-14 hours is less than 6.1 mmol/L (mmol/L) or 110 mg/dl (mg/dl).
Q11: What is two-hour post-meal blood sugar?
The normal blood sugar value measured two hours after eating 100 grams of raw flour for steamed buns or 100 grams of rice (or food with the same amount of sugar) is less than 7.8 mmol/L (mmol/L), which is 140 mg/dl (mg/dl).
Q12: What complications are prone to occur with diabetes?
- Diabetic heart disease;
- Diabetic cerebrovascular disease;
- Diabetic nephropathy;
- Diabetic eye disease;
- Diabetic foot (diabetic foot necrosis);
- Diabetic psychosis.
Q13: Why do diabetic patients need to control their blood pressure?
High blood pressure is an independent factor that causes diabetes.
High blood pressure can easily lead to diabetes, heart disease, stroke, etc.
When high blood pressure is combined with diabetes, the mortality rate increases by more than twice, so people with diabetes must control their blood pressure.
Q14: What are the new concepts in diabetes treatment?
- Diabetes education and psychological treatment: Diabetic patients should learn and understand knowledge
about diabetes, treat it correctly and adhere to treatment; - Diet treatment: reasonable meal preparation that controls total calories, small meals with frequent meals, a high-fiber diet, a light diet, and no smoking or alcohol consumption;
- Exercise therapy: aerobic exercise, within your ability, step by step, perseverance, no less than five times a week, no less than thirty minutes each time;
- Drug treatment;
- Monitoring of diabetes;
- Diet treatment and exercise treatment for diabetes are the first choice treatments for patients. Drug treatment is only considered when blood sugar cannot reach the ideal level after diet treatment and exercise treatment.
Q15: What are the principles of dietary treatment for diabetes?
Based on the patient's individual conditions, including weight, fasting blood sugar, and postprandial blood sugar data, the minimum calories necessary to maintain health, maintain nutrient balance, and the minimum requirements for sugar, protein, fat, vitamins, inorganic salts, and fiber are formulated.
Q16: What are the dangers of high blood pressure and diabetes?
As we all know, diabetes can continuously increase high blood pressure, increase blood lipids, cause intravascular damage and increase blood viscosity, thus further increasing and aggravating high blood pressure.
- Damage to myocardium:
Diabetic heart disease aggravates high blood pressure, damages the dilation function of the heart, decreases myocardial systolic function, and increases the incidence of coronary heart disease.
- Damage to cerebral blood vessels: Diabetes increases blood lipids and causes abnormal coagulationfunction, which further aggravates the existing hypercoagulability of patients with hypertension and makes them more prone to fat infarction.
- Damage to kidneys:
Diabetes aggravates the hardening of renal arterioles, leading to a rapid decline in tight function.
- Damage to blood vessels:
The coexistence of hypertension and diabetes causes early and severe sclerosis of large and medium-sized arteries (including carotid arteries, cerebral arteries, aorta, coronary arteries, renal arteries, etc.).
- Damage to the fundus:
Diabetes aggravates triangulation of fundus arterioles and ischemic changes. It is prone to non-healing wounds and foot necrosis caused by foot trauma.
From the above changes, diabetes aggravates the occurrence and development of hypertension complications, with extremely serious consequences.
Q17: Why do patients with diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia need dietary treatment?
Reduce the burden on pancreatic islet cells, so that insulin secretion is conducive to blood pressure and sugar control;
Dietary control can lower blood sugar and reduce weight, thereby reducing the burden on the heart;
Reduce blood lipids, reduce arteriosclerosis, and improve blood pressure.
Q18: Why do patients with diabetes and hypertension need to limit salt intake?
A large number of survey statistics indicate that salt intake is closely related to the occurrence of hypertension. The intake of high-salt foods and the decrease in the kidney's ability to excrete sodium cause sodium to accumulate in the body, causing small blood vessels to constrict, leading to increased vascular resistance and increased blood pressure. For people with hereditary sodium excretion disorder, high blood pressure will occur after eating high salt, and this phenomenon is more obvious. Therefore, the salt intake of patients with high blood pressure should not exceed 6 grams per day.
Q19: Why can't diabetics smoke?
In addition to carcinogens such as nicotine, carbon monoxide, tar, hydrocyanic acid, and fenpyridine, cigarette smoke and e-liquid also contain nicotine, which stimulates the secretion of adrenaline, which excites the sympathetic nerves and increases High blood sugar hormones cause blood sugar fluctuations, which is detrimental to patients. In addition, smoking will constrict blood vessels, making the inner walls of blood vessels in diabetic patients not smooth, increasing blood sugar viscosity, further increasing the chance of blocking blood vessels and causing cerebral infarction, angina pectoris or myocardial infarction, blocking kidneys and fundus blood vessels, aggravating diabetes, kidney disease or causing vision loss. obstacle.
Q20: Why should diabetics limit alcohol consumption?
Drinking alcohol can lead to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Drinking 100 ml (two taels) or more per day will increase blood pressure and cause "stroke". The incidence of heart disease in excessive drinkers is significantly higher than that in non-drinkers. It does not contain nutrients and only adds calories, so it is not good for diabetic patients. Drinking should be limited. For example, if you drink low-alcohol liquor, you can drink less than 30 ml of beer, less than 300 ml of beer, and less than 50 ml of sugar-free wine.
Q21: What should diabetics pay attention to in their diet?
Do not eat glucose, white sugar, sweet pastries and sugary drinks. When eaten in small amounts, they should be included in the daily staple food. Do not eat peanuts, walnuts, sunflower seeds, pine nuts and other nut foods at will. Calculate fat and calories. Diabetic patients should eat less and more meals, that is, reduce the amount of each meal and increase the number of meals. For example, three meals a day can be changed to four or five meals. The food intake of the three meals should be distributed, one-fifth for breakfast, two-fifths for lunch, and five for dinner, two-thirds.
Q22: Is it better for diabetics to eat rice or drink porridge?
It is better for diabetic patients to eat rice and noodles than porridge, because the more pulpy the food, the faster it is absorbed and the faster it raises blood sugar, which has a greater impact on blood sugar.
Q23: Are whole legumes good for diabetes?
Eating whole beans such as soybeans, red beans, mung beans, cloud beans, broad beans, etc. is good for diabetes. In addition to obtaining a large amount of protein to increase nutrition, it does not contain cholesterol and helps lower blood sugar.
Q24: How do diabetics eat whole grains?
Eat at least one meal a day or each meal of half and half thickness, such as corn, sorghum, millet, oats, oats, buckwheat, etc.
Q25: Can diabetics eat potato foods?
Diabetic patients can eat potato foods such as sweet potatoes, potatoes, yams, taro, etc., but because of their high sugar content, the consumption should be small and should be included in the amount of food eaten.
Q26: Which foods are rich in dietary fiber?
Foods such as various coarse grains include whole wheat flour, corn, millet, sorghum, buckwheat, oats and various beans (including soy products); various vegetables such as celery, spinach, cabbage, radish, leek, etc.; various fruits; Bacteria and algae such as white fungus, fungus, fragrant fungus, mushroom, kelp, seaweed, etc. Others such as mushrooms, agar, pectin, etc.
Q27: Which fruits are suitable for diabetics to eat?
Fruits that are rich in nutrients and low in sugar, such as kiwis, oranges, grapefruits, strawberries, pears, watermelons, tomatoes, cucumbers, etc., but fruits with high sugar content, such as bananas, lychees, and grapes, should not be eaten. The time to eat fruit should be between meals, which will have less impact on blood sugar.
Q28: Can diabetics eat eggs?
You can eat it. It is better to eat one egg every day, but patients with increased blood lipids and cholesterol are better not to eat it or not to eat egg yolks.
Q29: What are the benefits of drinking milk for diabetics?
Milk is rich in high-quality protein, has very low cholesterol content, and contains lactose, which is good for digestion. It contains vitamins A, D, B1, B2, C, and trace elements. It is also rich in calcium (120 mg/100 ml) and is easy to absorb. and used by the human body. The nutritional content of yogurt is the same as that of milk. In addition, it also contains a large amount of lactobacilli, which is beneficial to adjusting the function of the gastrointestinal tract and relieving constipation.
Q30: Can diabetics eat meat?
It's okay to eat. Because meat is rich in protein, the order of meat consumption for diabetic patients should be fish, chicken, duck (skinless), pork, beef, and mutton (lean meat of pig, beef, and mutton because of their fat and duck skin). contain higher cholesterol).
Q31: Can diabetics eat seafood?
Seafood such as marine fish, shrimp, crab, shellfish, seaweed... are all high-quality protein and can be eaten by diabetic patients. However, caviar, crab roe, shrimp and shellfish have high cholesterol content, so they should be eaten less or not at all.
Q32: How much soy products should a diabetic patient
ea
t every day?
Beans and soy products are also high-quality protein and do not contain cholesterol. Soy products produce the same calories as sugar and are recommended foods for diabetic patients. You can eat 50-100 grams of soy products or 100-200 grams of tofu every day if your kidney function is not good. Those who are healthy should eat less and limit their food.
Q33: What are the benefits of nucleic acids to diabetic patients?
Nucleic acid is a health food approved by the Ministry of Health. It can regulate blood sugar and blood lipids, and can improve immune function. Therefore, it has an auxiliary therapeutic effect on diabetes. Diabetic patients can eat it, but patients with increased blood uric acid and gout should not eat it.
Q34: People with diabetes need to control their diet, but what should they do when they are hungry?
First, eat less meals more frequently, and change the three-meal system to four-to-five-meal system. The total amount remains unchanged and the intervals between meals are shortened. Secondly, when you are hungry, you can eat cucumbers, tomatoes or various vegetables to satisfy your hunger, which not only increases the stomach content, but also contains very little sugar. and calories, resistant to hunger and does not affect blood sugar.
Q35: How much oil should a diabetic patient eat every day?
It is advisable for diabetic patients to consume 30-35 grams of vegetable oil every day, and nut foods (peanuts, walnuts, sunflower seeds) should be limited to prevent increased blood lipids.
Q36: Why do diabetics need to exchange food portions? What is a food exchange portion?
In order to enrich the food varieties of diabetic patients without affecting the caloric intake, food exchange is carried out.
For example, a cup (250 milliliters) of fresh milk (whole milk) has the same nutritional content and calories as the following milks.
1 cup full-fat yogurt (250 ml)
1 cup whole cheese (250 ml)
Whole milk powder 31g (0.60 taels)
The nutritional content and calories of wheat flour (100 grams of standard flour or rich and strong flour) are equivalent to those of the following grains;
The nutritional content of 100 grams each of macaroni, cornmeal, millet, sorghum, and rice is the same as:
100 grams of flour is equal to 160 grams of steamed buns
Equivalent to 300 grams of cooked noodles
Equivalent to 140 grams of pancakes
Equivalent to 400 grams of potatoes
Exchange portion of soy products: 100 grams of soybeans has the same nutritional content and calories as the following soy products
100g green beans
900g soy milk
800g of tofu (Southern tofu) 520g (Northern tofu)
200g dried tofu
300g soybean sprouts
Exchange portion of fat: one teaspoon (5 grams) of vegetable oil, its nutritional content and calories are equivalent to those of the following foods
16 peanuts (10g)
One whole walnut meat (5g)
Sunflower seeds (peeled) 20 grams
20g sesame paste
Q37: What changes should you pay attention to in diabetes prevention?
Pay attention to changes in blood sugar, blood pressure, heart, kidneys, eye vision, and foot skin. Changes in blood sugar, blood pressure, heart, and kidneys need to be determined through hospital examinations, tests, and self-perception.
Q38: What principles should diabetic patients follow when exercising?
Aerobic exercise:
Moderate to below intensity, non-stop, rhythmic exercise, such as walking, jogging, swimming, dancing, etc.
- Step by step:
The exercise time should be increased from short to long, and the exercise intensity should be increased from small to large to achieve gradual adaptation.
- Just do you best:
According to your own specific situation, choose different exercise methods, exercise volume, and exercise time. If you are not comfortable with it, adjust it at any time, reduce the amount, or stop it.
- Persistence:
Exercise is one of the treatment options. If you are unable to adapt and persist, you cannot "fish for three days and dry the net for two days", otherwise the effect will not be achieved. Exercise should be no less than half an hour a day and no less than five days a week.
Q39: When to choose drug treatment?
Diabetic patients who have chosen and adhered to diet therapy and exercise therapy but still cannot control blood sugar should choose drug treatment.
Q40: What are the commonly used oral hypoglycemic drugs?
See oral hypoglycemic drugs.
- Sulfonylureas: stimulate the secretion of pancreatic islets to achieve the purpose of lowering blood sugar, such as Youjiangdang, Mebida, Dameikang, Suspensa, etc.;
- Biguanides: Suppress appetite, reduce absorption, enhance the sensitivity of pancreatic islets, and achieve the purpose of lowering blood sugar. Such as Tangjiangling, metformin, etc.;
- Glucosidase inhibitors: such as Beixin and Baitangping.
Q41: Which patients are suitable for sulfonylureas?
Diet therapy and exercise therapy are ineffective, or the blood sugar control is not satisfactory and the patient is not obese.
Q42: What are the side effects of sulfonylureas?
The main side effects are weight gain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal distension and other gastrointestinal reactions. Some patients may develop skin allergies and leukopenia.
Q43: Which diabetic patients are suitable for biguanide drugs?
Biguanide drugs should be the first choice for obese diabetic patients.
Q44: What are the side effects of biguanide antidiabetic drugs?
The main side effects are obvious gastrointestinal symptoms, such as loss of appetite, diarrhea, abdominal pain, acid re flux, etc.
Q45: Which diabetic patients are suitable for use of glucose inhibitors?
It is mainly used by patients with diabetic nephropathy. The side effects of the drug are digestive tract reactions, such as flatulence and excessive flatulence.
Q46: Who should not use oral hypoglycemic drugs?
Type 1 diabetic patients, pancreatic islet destroyers, liver and kidney insufficiency patients and diabetic pregnant women.
Patients with type 2 diabetes have taken maximum doses of oral hypoglycemic drugs:
When the fasting backlog of sugar still exceeds 110 mol/L (270 mg/dL), insulin treatment can be used.
Q47: When should insulin be injected? Where to inject?
Insulin should be injected 15-30 minutes before meals. Premature injection is prone to hypoglycemia. The injection sites are the upper arms, abdomen, buttocks, and outer thighs. The upper arms are absorbed faster.
Q48: What items should diabetic patients monitor?
Blood glucose, urine routine, blood lipids, blood viscosity, liverRenal function, electrocardiogram and fundus.
Q49: How often should diabetic patients be reviewed?
Those whose diabetes is well controlled can go to the hospital for a review every three months. For those with poor control, the review time should be shortened.
Q50: Why do we need to check blood sugar two hours after a meal?
Blood glucose two hours after a meal is the best way to monitor whether your diet and medication are appropriate. Simply checking fasting blood sugar can easily lead to errors in judgment. Some patients may have low fasting blood sugar but high postprandial blood sugar.
Q51: What to do if diabetes is complicated by hypertension and coronary heart disease?
While treating diabetes, high blood pressure and coronary heart disease should be treated, and antihypertensive drugs and coronary dilating drugs should be taken.
Q52: Why do diabetics need to control their weight?
It is very important for diabetic patients to control the growth of body fat. Obesity will directly affect the increase in blood sugar.
Q53: What medicines do diabetics need to take long-term?
Diabetic patients need to take vitamin B1, vitamin C, vitamin E, calcium, enteric-coated aspirin and other drugs for a long time.
Q54: My blood sugar is normal and my symptoms have disappeared. Should I continue to treat diabetes?
The blood sugar of diabetic patients is normal and the symptoms disappear. Although the condition is under control, they still need to adhere to the treatment of diabetes. Otherwise, the blood sugar will rise again, symptoms will appear quickly, and the condition will worsen.
Q55: Is diabetes hereditary?
Diabetes is caused by genetic susceptibility, coupled with unreasonable lifestyle and many environmental factors.
