"Diabetes is a chronic disease that is hard to cure,
Through proper treatment and consistent self-care
You can prevent complications and maintain a normal daily life."
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease in which the level of glucose (blood sugar) in the blood rises above normal. It occurs when the secretion or action of insulin from the pancreas is impaired and blood sugar is no longer properly controlled, and without proper management it can lead to a variety of complications throughout the body.
Diabetes symptoms
The most typical symptoms of diabetes are known as the ‘three polys’ (三多).
| Polydipsia | Frequent thirst and increased water intake. |
|---|---|
| Polyuria | Urine volume increases and you urinate more often. |
| Polyphagia | Frequent hunger and increased eating. |
Preventing diabetes
Eat regular meals centered on vegetables, whole grains and unsaturated fats, and cut down on refined carbohydrates (white rice, bread, sugar).
It is better to drink water instead of sugary drinks or fruit juice.
It is important to be more active in daily life and to keep up walking or aerobic exercise for at least 30 minutes, 3~5 times a week, along with strength training to maintain muscle mass.
Keeping BMI (body mass index) between 18.5~23 and waist circumference under 90cm for men and 85cm for women is recommended.
Stress promotes the secretion of cortisol, a hormone that raises blood sugar, and smoking increases insulin resistance and greatly raises the risk of diabetic complications, so day-to-day management is essential.