Is a lifetime of medication inevitable after a diabetes diagnosis? A 36-year-old female engineer who had been living with diabetes for 8 years managed to significantly improve her condition in just 5 months under medical guidance, using two simple methods—one of which involves a specific type of exercise crucial for stabilizing blood sugar.
Weight loss specialist Dr. Wang Lü-ting shared on her Facebook page the case of a 36-year-old female engineer in the tech industry who had struggled with diabetes for eight years and felt deeply helpless. A high-pressure work schedule made it difficult for her to maintain regular eating habits. Her glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) had long fluctuated in the dangerous range of 8-10%, and she relied on a combination of insulin injections and oral hypoglycemic drugs for control. Her initial test results were as follows:
- Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c): 10.9%
- Fasting Blood Glucose: 284 mg/dL
- Body Fat Percentage: 36%
Seeing the frustration and helplessness in her eyes, Wang encouraged her: "Having the motivation means you're already halfway there! Give yourself a few months to rebuild a healthy lifestyle. Let's focus on controlling blood sugar first, then weight loss." She advised starting with two daily habits:
- Precise Dietary Management: Learn to identify different types of foods and master the appropriate portions of carbohydrates, proteins, and vegetables.
- Make Time for Regular Exercise: Improve the body's efficiency in metabolizing sugar through strength training, because muscles are allies in sugar metabolism.
After five months of diligent effort, the woman's follow-up tests showed remarkable progress: her HbA1c had dropped to 5.3%, reaching levels typical of a non-diabetic individual, and her body fat percentage decreased to 28%. Data from continuous glucose monitoring revealed that her blood sugar stability throughout the day reached 99%, indicating near-perfect control. Most encouragingly, she was able to completely stop insulin injections, and the dosage of her oral diabetes medication was significantly reduced.
Over 700,000 Diabetics in Hong Kong: Watch for 8 Early Symptoms
According to data from the Hong Kong Hospital Authority, there are approximately 700,000 people with diabetes in Hong Kong, accounting for about 10% of the total population—meaning 1 in 10 Hong Kong residents has diabetes. Diabetes is also trending younger, with a 2% incidence rate among those under 35. According to World Health
Organization criteria, a diagnosis of "diabetes" is made if fasting blood glucose is ≥7 mmol/L or 2-hour postprandial blood glucose is >11.1 mmol/L(fasting is defined as no caloric intake for over 8 hours). Diabetes is mainly categorized into two types, with the following common symptoms:
- Type 1 Diabetes (Insulin-Dependent):
- Cause: The insulin-producing cells in the pancreas are destroyed and cannot produce insulin.
- Reasons: Related to genetics, autoimmune disorders, or environmental factors.
- Type 2 Diabetes (Non-Insulin-Dependent):
- Cause: The most common type. The body produces normal or slightly reduced amounts of insulin, but the insulin cannot function properly due to the body's resistance to it.
- Reasons: Related to genetics, poor dietary habits, obesity, or lack of exercise.
Common Early Symptoms of Diabetes:
- Frequent thirst
- Frequent urination
- Feeling hungry
- Unexplained weight loss
- Easy fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Slow-healing wounds
- Skin itchiness (women may experience genital itching)
Beware of 2 Major Diabetes Complications: Risk of Stroke/Amputation
According to the Hospital Authority, diabetes can lead to acute or chronic complications, with severe cases posing risks of amputation or fatality:
1. Chronic Complications
If diabetes is poorly controlled and blood sugar remains high long-term, blood vessels and the nervous system can become damaged, leading to chronic organ damage or even loss of function, with potentially fatal risks:
- Brain: Cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke.
- Eyes: Retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma.
- Heart & Blood Vessels: Coronary heart disease, heart failure, hypertension.
- Kidneys: Proteinuria, infections, kidney failure.
- Feet: Neuropathy, vascular disease, ulcers, infections. Chronic non-healing ulcers/infections may necessitate lower limb amputation.
2. Acute Complications
- Acute Hypoglycemia (Blood glucose <3.9 mmol/L):
- Symptoms may include rapid heartbeat, severe hunger, dizziness, blurred vision, tremors, shivering, cold sweats, numbness in lips/tongue/fingers, drowsiness, or even confusion.
- If the patient is conscious, administer 15g of easily absorbed carbohydrates (e.g., 3 sugar cubes/jelly candies, 3 teaspoons of sugar, half a glass of regular soda or juice). After symptoms improve, add a small slice of bread or 3-4 crackers.
- Acute Hyperglycemia (Blood glucose ≥15 mmol/L):
- Symptoms may include rapid, deep breathing; nausea; vomiting; extreme thirst; leading to confusion or coma.
- The patient should be sent to the hospital for treatment immediately.
