Know This: How Scary Is Diabetes?

Did you know? Having diabetes can shorten your lifespan! Statistics show that if a person aged 60 has diabetes, their life expectancy is reduced by 6 years, and if they have diabetes along with heart vascular disease, their life expectancy is reduced by up to 12 years. High blood sugar levels also increase the risk of chronic complications affecting various organs, such as blindness, kidney failure, chronic foot ulcers, heart vascular disease, and stroke. Therefore, controlling blood sugar levels well, taking medication regularly, and following the doctor’s advice can help prevent all these risk factors.

Prevention is better than cure if you are not diabetic but have risk factors

Losing 5-7% of initial body weight in overweight individuals by controlling the amount and type of food, combined with regular exercise, can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by more than 30-50%. However, for those who already have diabetes, good blood sugar control is the best way to prevent chronic complications from diabetes.

COVID-19 and diabetic patients

In the situation of the COVID-19 outbreak, diabetic patients are considered a high-risk group for severe complications if infected with the virus and develop COVID-19. Therefore,

1. Avoid traveling to places with a high risk of infection. If you must go to the community, wear a cloth mask or surgical mask and wash your hands frequently.
2. If you have a fever, diabetic patients may experience very high blood sugar levels leading to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome (HHS). However, if the patient eats less, hypoglycemia may occur. Therefore, diabetic patients, especially those with type 1 diabetes, should frequently check their fingertip blood sugar levels when unwell. If very high blood sugar levels are detected, see a doctor immediately.
3. Prepare enough regular medication to avoid running out. If the outbreak situation is severe and you cannot get medication from the hospital, study options for receiving medication by mail or telemedicine, which many healthcare facilities currently offer. Also, know the emergency contact numbers in case urgent hospital treatment is needed.