Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that occurs when the body does not use insulin effectively – a hormone responsible for transporting glucose from the bloodstream into cells to produce energy. As a result, blood sugar levels remain persistently high, causing damage to many organs in the body.

Let’s join Hoan My Gold PXL Medical Center to learn about proactive prevention and effective treatment methods to better control type 2 diabetes.

How dangerous is type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes often progresses silently and shows few symptoms in the early stages. If not detected and properly controlled, it can cause serious complications affecting many vital organs, including:

  • Cardiovascular system: Increased risk of heart attack and atherosclerosis.
  • Brain: Higher risk of stroke, memory impairment, and early-onset dementia (Alzheimer’s disease).
  • Eyes: Retinal damage and retinal hemorrhage, which may lead to blindness.
  • Kidneys: Chronic kidney failure, possibly requiring dialysis.
  • Feet: Foot ulcers, infections, and even amputation.
  • Peripheral nervous system: Numbness, tingling, loss of sensation, and neuropathic pain.

Who is at risk of developing type 2 diabetes?

  • People aged 40 and above
  • Overweight or obese individuals (especially abdominal obesity)
  • Physically inactive individuals
  • People with a family history of diabetes
  • People with high blood pressure or high cholesterol
  • Women with a history of gestational diabetes or who have given birth to babies weighing ≥ 4 kg

Diagnostic criteria

Diagnostic criteria

You can be diagnosed with diabetes if any one of the following criteria is met:

  • Fasting plasma glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L)
  • Plasma glucose ≥ 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) 2 hours after drinking 75 g of glucose
  • HbA1c ≥ 6.5%
  • Random plasma glucose ≥ 200 mg/dL with typical symptoms (excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, etc.)

Early warning signs

  • Excessive thirst and frequent urination, especially at night
  • Persistent fatigue, frequent hunger
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Blurred vision, dry and itchy skin
  • Slow-healing wounds
  • Frequent infections (skin, dental, urinary tract, etc.)

Effective prevention and disease control

  • Healthy diet: Limit sugar, refined carbohydrates, and fast food. Prioritize vegetables, fiber-rich foods, fish, and whole grains.
  • Increase physical activity: Walking, cycling, yoga, aerobics, etc. for at least 150 minutes per week.
  • Maintain a healthy weight: Losing 5–10% of body weight significantly reduces disease risk.
  • Do not smoke; limit alcohol consumption.
  • Regular health check-ups and blood glucose testing, especially if you belong to a high-risk group.

Type 2 diabetes is no longer a disease of the elderly alone. Today, it is rapidly affecting younger populations due to unhealthy and unscientific lifestyles. Therefore, early prevention is a proactive and smart choice to protect long-term health.

This article was medically reviewed by: MSc., MD., Specialist Level II Dinh Thi Xuan Mai, General Internal Medicine – Endocrinology Physician, Hoan My Gold PXL Medical Center

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