Is there some mistake? I rarely eat sweets and feel perfectly fine—how could I have diabetes? Mr. Li, a resident of Mingshi Haoting District 1, expressed disbelief upon hearing his blood glucose test results at the free clinic. In reality, diabetes isn't necessarily caused by consuming sweets; it can develop even without eating them. Let's explore how this happens.
Zhai Hongkun, Director of the Diabetes Department at Lixia District People's Hospital, explained that diabetes is diagnosed when fasting blood glucose exceeds 7.0 mmol/L or postprandial blood glucose exceeds 11.1 mmol/L within two hours. "Since complications haven't yet developed and there are no physical symptoms, many diabetics remain unaware of their condition. Early treatment at this stage yields better outcomes. Early detection and early treatment—that's the purpose of our screening efforts."
Zhai Hongkun noted that diabetes has diverse causes influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Avoiding sweets and starchy foods does not guarantee immunity. China currently has the world's largest diabetic population at 92.4 million. Diabetic retinopathy is a common cause of blindness, with approximately one million patients losing their sight annually due to delayed treatment.
"The progression of this disease is irreversible. Early stages typically show no symptoms or noticeable changes, making it easy to overlook. In reality, if detected early and treated promptly with laser therapy, most patients can control their condition. Early treatment is also less costly and less painful," Zhai explained.
Zhai Hongkun advises diabetic patients to establish the habit of regular eye examinations. "It's best to have an eye exam once a year or even every six months. If abnormalities are detected during an exam, follow-up intervals should be shortened."
Jiang Lixiang, Director of Medical Affairs at Lixia District People's Hospital, stated that under Lixia District's "Brightness Project" policy, residents aged 60 and above with local household registration receive free screenings for diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, and cataracts. Patients diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy receive complimentary laser treatment, while those with cataracts undergo free surgical intervention.Low-income households and individuals with disabilities are also eligible for these services without age restrictions.
Diabetes isn't necessarily caused by eating sweets; it can develop even without consuming sugary foods. This concludes our introduction. We hope this information proves helpful. Wishing you good health and smooth sailing this winter.