Live healthy, live normally with diabetes

According to experts, combining a healthy lifestyle with early intervention and treatment compliance will help diabetics live proactively and positively, reducing the burden of disease to maintain health and a normal life.

Prof. Dr. Tran Huu Dang shares about diabetes - Photo: DNCC

Sharing at the event in response to World Diabetes Day held in Da Nang recently, Prof. Dr. Tran Huu Dang - President of the Endocrine and Diabetes Association - said that diabetes is currently one of the biggest public health challenges in Vietnam.

Currently, this disease is on the rise and comes with many risks of complications, especially cardiovascular, causing a great burden on health and medical economy . Therefore, patients need to proactively seek information, discuss with doctors to understand their health status as well as how to live with and manage the disease effectively, because controlling diabetes is a long-term process.

Dr. Dang also shared about the concept of 'diabetes remission', which is understood as the condition in which a patient has been diagnosed with diabetes (usually type 2) but after a period of treatment and lifestyle changes, blood sugar levels return to normal and can be maintained with diet and exercise.

However, it is important to note that regression does not mean permanent cure. Patients still need regular follow-up because the risk of relapse is high if they gain weight or change their lifestyle, Dr. Dang emphasized.

Early intervention to reduce cardiovascular events

Prof. Dr. Huynh Van Minh - President of the Vietnam Cardiology Association - said that when a patient is diagnosed with clinical diabetes, most of the cardiovascular damage has actually formed. Therefore, intervention in the pre-diabetic stage will help slow down the disease progression and reduce the risk of complications, especially cardiovascular.

This is related to the phenomenon of 'metabolic memory' or 'translational memory', which means that a short period of hyperglycemia or lack of blood sugar control in the past can still cause the blood vessels to remember the damage, so early control and intervention can create a cardiovascular protective effect that lasts for 10-20 years later.

Prof. Dr. Huynh Van Minh at a scientific conference on diabetes treatment - Photo: DNCC

In addition to health benefits, early detection and treatment also helps reduce economic burden, because when complications occur, treatment costs and health consequences are often much more severe.

Sharing advice for patients when they discover the disease, MSc. Dr. Diep Thi Thanh Binh, Vice President of the Vietnam Endocrinology and Diabetes Association, encouraged patients not to be too stressed and worried.

When diagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes, patients need to calmly discuss with their doctor to get accurate information about their medical condition and management goals.

MSc. Dr. Diep Thi Thanh Binh consults on diabetes management for people in Da Nang - Photo: DNCC

In addition, Master, Doctor Binh emphasized that first, patients need to learn how to live with diabetes 'normally', from learning how to check and monitor blood sugar, adjusting lifestyle and diet.

Next, it is important to follow the doctor's treatment instructions to help the patient manage the condition, while minimizing and preventing possible complications.

It is necessary to monitor and have regular health check-ups. Do not follow unscientific advice from social networks, otherwise the disease will not improve but you will risk other health problems.

Dr. Binh also shared that current medical advances have brought a variety of treatment solutions, consistent with recommendations for personalization in diabetes management.

Current drugs not only help patients manage blood sugar effectively, but can also control multiple targets, minimizing the risk of heart and kidney complications, which are high risks and dangers in people with diabetes; at the same time, providing convenience to help control the disease and increase compliance.

Thanks to that, patients can manage their health well, while minimizing the disease burden that can be caused by complications.

Lifestyle is the core foundation

Professor, Dr. Minh added that lifestyle changes are still the core foundation, including weight control, blood pressure, stress reduction, diet and increased exercise.

The most important factor is still the patient's compliance with treatment. In fact, many patients are still afraid of complicated intervention methods, fear pain or having to take pills or injections many times a day, making them easily abandon treatment.

Dr. Binh was excited to share about the medical advances that have been able to prolong the effectiveness of drugs in treating diabetes, patients do not have to use drugs every day. This helps increase compliance in patients, helps them reduce the 'treatment' mentality, and gives them more freedom to live and work like others, leading a normal life.

VTK

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/song-khoe-song-binh-thuong-cung-dai-thao-duong-20251209162732109.htm