Can’t resist Chinese New Year delicacies? Be careful of acute complications caused by high blood sugar! Doctors call for: 3 keys to stabilize blood sugar

The Chinese New Year is a time for family and friends to reunite and enjoy delicious food, but diabetic patients should not forget the importance of controlling blood sugar while celebrating the festival! Chen Weilong, an internal medicine and weight loss specialist, recalled that he once treated a diabetic woman in her 50s who developed gastroenteritis due to uncontrolled eating during the Chinese New Year, which in turn induced hyperglycemia and hyperosmolarity syndrome (HHS). She was eventually rushed to the intensive care unit and had to spend the end of the Chinese New Year in the ward.

Dr. Chen Weilong pointed out that this patient was worried that long-term use of hypoglycemic drugs would lead to dependence, so he often reduced his medication on his own, resulting in unstable blood sugar control. During the Chinese New Year, she could not resist the temptation of high-fat, high-sugar foods such as fried rice cakes, cured meat glutinous rice, and Dongpo pork, and she ate without restraint. During a spring outing, he allegedly ate unclean food from a roadside stall, which caused him to have diarrhea several times. I thought it was just ordinary gastroenteritis, but the symptoms were not relieved by taking gastrointestinal medicine, and I even developed symptoms such as drowsiness and weakness. After being sent to the hospital for examination, it was found that her blood sugar level was as high as 1000mg/dL. She was diagnosed with hyperglycemia and hyperosmolarity and needed to be immediately admitted to the intensive care unit for observation and treatment.

What is hyperglycemic hyperosmolarity?

Dr. Chen Weilong explained that hyperglycemia-hyperosmolarity is an acute complication caused by high blood sugar, which is common in patients with poorly controlled diabetes. If you fail to take your medicine on time and overeat during the holidays, your blood sugar concentration will continue to rise; if it is accompanied by symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting, the water loss will cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, forming a vicious circle. If not treated promptly, it may lead to coma, shock or even life-threatening.

3 Key points to stabilize blood sugar

1. Correct use of hypoglycemic drugs

Many diabetic patients do not take blood sugar-lowering drugs as prescribed by their doctors because they misunderstand the effects of the drugs and worry about drug dependence. In fact, correct use of medication is the cornerstone of stabilizing blood sugar and can effectively reduce the risk of acute complications. In addition, healthy diet and weight management are also important means of controlling sugar.

2. Choose low glycemic index ingredients

It is recommended that diabetic patients reduce refined starch and high-sugar foods, choose ingredients with a low glycemic index, and use steaming and stewing instead of frying for cooking, and increase the proportion of vegetables and high-quality protein to help improve blood sugar stability.

3. Exercise to control weight

According to a 2020 study in the journal Diabetic Medicine, obese people newly diagnosed with diabetes can significantly improve their blood sugar control and relieve their symptoms if they lose 10% of their body weight within the first five years. But be careful not to take weight-loss drugs blindly just because you want to lose weight. If you have any needs, consult a professional weight-loss physician.

In addition, moderate aerobic exercise and resistance training can also improve insulin sensitivity and further stabilize blood sugar. Through the guidance of a physician and a multi-pronged approach, diabetic patients may even have the opportunity to gradually reduce medication dosage, moving towards the goal of partially stopping medication and reversing diabetes.

Dr. Chen Wei-Lung stressed that diabetic patients do not need to sacrifice the joy of the holidays because of their disease. Through proper medication, dietary sugar control and exercise management, you can protect your health while enjoying family reunions and delicious food, even during the New Year holidays. (Photo provided by Hatsuhito Hospital)

"Sugar control and weight loss are two sides of the same coin in health management." Dr. Chen Weilong emphasized that diabetic patients do not need to sacrifice the joy of the holidays because of the disease. Through proper medication, dietary sugar control and exercise management, you can protect your health while enjoying family reunions and delicious food, even during the New Year holidays.