Diabetes: Do you know who is at risk?

Diabetes actually has several types, but the most common and well-known type is type 2 diabetes, which is often found in middle-aged adults along with obesity. What we need to be aware of is that nowadays, diabetes is increasingly found in younger age groups, especially working-age adults, teenagers, or children who are obese.

The prevalence of diabetes in Thai people is 8.9%, and in the age group 60-79 years, it is as high as 19%. This means that out of 5 people, 1 person has diabetes. From a health survey of Thai people with blood tests, nearly 50% of those with diabetes were unaware that they had the disease, and only 23.5% were treated and had good blood sugar control.

Therefore, diabetes is a silent threat. Some patients with mildly elevated blood sugar levels may have no symptoms and can only be diagnosed through blood tests. Patients with high blood sugar levels may experience frequent thirst, dry mouth and throat, frequent urination, especially needing to get up several times at night to urinate, and weight loss, among other symptoms.

Who should be screened for diabetes?

The Diabetes Association of Thailand recommends screening for diabetes in the following high-risk groups:

• People aged 35 years and older
• People younger than 35 years but at high risk of developing diabetes, including:
  • Obese individuals (with a body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2 and/or waist circumference > 32 inches in women or > 36 inches in men)
  • Having a parent, sibling, or child with diabetes
  • People with high blood pressure
  • People with high blood triglycerides > 250 mg/dL and/or low HDL cholesterol < 35 mg/dL
  • Those with a history of gestational diabetes or giving birth to a baby weighing more than 4 kilograms at birth
  • People with cardiovascular disease
  • People with polycystic ovary syndrome

Additionally, those who have symptoms suggestive of diabetes, such as frequent thirst, dry mouth and throat, frequent urination, and weight loss, should also be tested.

How to treat type 2 diabetes?

Behavioral modification through diet control, exercise, and weight management remains the most important aspect of diabetes treatment.

Regarding medications for diabetes treatment, many new drugs have been developed that can reduce the risk of hypoglycemia, and some can also help patients lose weight. Diabetes medications are divided into oral drugs, insulin injections, and non-insulin injections such as GLP-1 agonists. Doctors will consider the appropriate choice based on the patient’s condition and indications. Taking medications or injections regularly as prescribed will help patients gain the maximum benefit and achieve treatment goals.

Innovations and technology in the care of type 2 diabetes

Currently, besides the development of new drug groups to improve the effectiveness of diabetes treatment, there are also advancements to help patients manage their medications more easily, such as combination pills to reduce the number of tablets taken, combined injections of two drugs in one syringe to reduce injection frequency, and the development of smaller needles and injection devices to reduce pain and improve convenience.

Moreover, there is now real-time blood sugar monitoring technology. By attaching a small device to the abdomen or upper arm, the device measures blood sugar levels every 5 minutes and displays the results on a screen for the patient. This greatly facilitates medication adjustment. There are also apps or tools to help calculate carbohydrate intake or track exercise, which can be used as tools to modify behavior, diet, and exercise.