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On a summer afternoon, sunlight shines through the windows of the hospital corridor and falls onto the ground, creating bright bands of light. In the emergency room, a middle-aged doctor is frowning, staring at the examination report in his hand.
"Dr. Li, how is the patient in Bed 59?" A nurse walked over and asked.
Dr. Li sighed, "Blood sugar 12.3, blood pressure 180/110, the patient was confused, and the CT scan showed cerebral hemorrhage. He shook his head, "Another tragedy that could have been avoided." "
The nurse whispered, "Is it the patient who didn't care before?"
Dr. Li nodded, "That's right, it's Mr. Zhang." He was still here for a physical examination a few days ago, and we advised him to be hospitalized for high blood sugar, but he didn't think so. Now..."
The nurse covered her mouth in surprise, "Oh my God, it's only been a few days..."
"That's why we have repeatedly stressed that high blood sugar should not be taken lightly. It's a pity that many people, like Mr. Zhang, don't regret it until the catastrophe comes. "
What's going on? Why did Mr. Zhang go from being indifferent to dying in just a few days? How dangerous is high blood sugar? Let's go back a few days and uncover this sobering story.
Five days ago, 58-year-old Zhang Jianguo came to the hospital for a routine physical examination. As a project manager for a construction company, Zhang Jianguo has been busy with work and rarely pays attention to his physical condition.
"Mr. Zhang, your blood sugar level is on the high side, reaching 12.3mmol/L." Dr. Li looked at the examination report and said, "This value is much higher than the normal range, and I recommend that you be hospitalized for further examination and treatment." "
Zhang Jianguo waved his hand disappreciatively, "Doctor Li, are you too sensitive?" I feel fine, nothing unwell. Besides, I still have an important project to follow up, so how can I have time to be hospitalized. "
Dr. Li patiently explained, "Mr. Zhang, although high blood sugar may have no obvious symptoms, it will cause serious harm to the body in the long run. Especially at your age, be extra careful. "
Zhang Jianguo still disagreed, "I heard that someone with blood sugar over 20 is fine, what is my 12.3." Besides, I don't usually feel thirsty or pee too much. "
Dr. Li shook his head helplessly, "Mr. Zhang, you have two misunderstandings. First of all, a blood sugar of 12.3 is already a high value and cannot be compared with more severe cases.
Second, it is true that there may be no obvious symptoms in the early stages of hyperglycemia, but that doesn't mean it's harmless. "
However, Zhang Jianguo still went his own way, "Dr. Li, I understand your good intentions. I'm really busy, though, so I'll review it when the project is over. With that, he hurried out of the hospital.
Dr. Li looked at Zhang Jianguo's distant back, full of worry. He knows that many people, like Zhang Jianguo, have insufficient understanding of the dangers of high blood sugar. But he didn't expect the bad news to come so quickly.
Five days later, Zhang Jianguo was rushed to the hospital. He suddenly felt a severe headache at work, then became confused and collapsed in the office. A CT scan showed that he had suffered a cerebral hemorrhage.
This sudden change has forced us to re-examine the dangers of high blood sugar. In fact, medical studies have long confirmed that hyperglycemia is strongly associated with a variety of serious complications.
According to the Chinese Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, diabetes mellitus can be diagnosed when the fasting blood glucose ≥ 7.0 mmol/L or random blood glucose ≥ 11.1 mmol/L. Zhang Jianguo's blood sugar level of 12.3mmol/L has far exceeded this standard.
Hyperglycemia can lead to increased blood viscosity and damage to the walls of blood vessels, which in turn can lead to a variety of complications. Among them, the most common and dangerous is cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
Research by the United States Diabetes Association (ADA) shows that the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in diabetic patients is 2-4 times higher than that of the general population.
Zhang Jianguo is a typical example. His high blood sugar may have been going on for some time, causing damage to the walls of his blood vessels and eventually a brain hemorrhage with elevated blood pressure.
This also explains why his blood pressure suddenly rose to 180/110mmHg.
In addition to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, hyperglycemia can also lead to a variety of other complications:
1. Diabetic nephropathy: Long-term high blood sugar can damage the filtration function of the kidneys, which may eventually lead to kidney failure.
2. Diabetic retinopathy: High blood sugar can damage the microvessels of the eye, which can lead to vision loss and even blindness.
3. Diabetic neuropathy: High blood sugar can damage peripheral nerves, resulting in numbness and pain in the hands and feet.
4. Diabetic foot: Due to neuropathy and vascular disease, diabetic patients are prone to ulcers on their feet, which may require amputation in severe cases.
These complications often don't show up until years after high blood sugar has persisted, which is why many people, like Zhang Jianguo, don't pay attention to blood sugar control in the early days.
However, prevention is always more important than cure. A study published in The Lancet in 2019 showed that good blood sugar control can significantly reduce the risk of diabetes complications.
Therefore, it is crucial to detect and control hyperglycemia in a timely manner.
So, how can we prevent and control high blood sugar? Here are a few suggestions:
1. Regular medical check-ups: It is recommended to have a blood sugar check at least once a year, especially for people over 40 years old.
2. Reasonable diet: control total calorie intake, reduce the intake of refined carbohydrates and saturated fats, and increase the intake of dietary fiber.
3. Moderate exercise: Engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, such as brisk walking, swimming, etc.
4. Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight and obese is an important risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
5. Take your medications as prescribed: If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, take your medications or use insulin exactly as recommended by your doctor.
6. Quit smoking and limit alcohol: Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can increase the risk of diabetes and its complications.
7. Psychological Regulation: Maintain a good mindset and avoid being in a stressful state for a long time.
Back to Zhang Jianguo's story, if he could have taken the doctor's advice and been hospitalized in time, perhaps such a tragedy would not have happened.
Fortunately, after timely treatment, Zhang Jianguo's life was temporarily saved. But this experience has undoubtedly taught him and his family a painful lesson.
In the recovery ward, Zhang Jianguo held his wife's hand with tears in his eyes, "I'm so stupid, I should have listened to the doctor when I knew it." "
His wife comforted: "Don't blame yourself, it's important to take good care of your body in the future."
Dr. Li walked into the ward, saw this scene, and smiled with relief, "Mr. Zhang, it's good that you can have such an understanding. I hope your experience will serve as a wake-up call for more people to take their health seriously. "
Zhang Jianguo nodded solemnly, "Doctor Li, I will strictly control my blood sugar in the future and recheck on time." When I recover, I want to tell everyone around me about my experience and make them take it seriously. "
Dr. Lee approvingly, "That's a good idea. In fact, health management should become a habit for everyone, rather than waiting until you are sick. "
This story teaches us that health is life's most valuable asset, and prevention is better than cure. High blood sugar may seem silent, but it can have disastrous consequences without even realizing it.
Therefore, each of us should establish health awareness, regular physical examinations, reasonable diet, consistent exercise, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Let us work together to take responsibility for the health of ourselves and our families, and not let Zhang Jianguo's lessons be repeated. Remember, life is precious, and health is even more valuable.
Only by cherishing the present moment and paying attention to health can we truly take control of our lives and embrace a better future.
What are your thoughts on this? Welcome to discuss in the comment area!
[This content is a fictional short story, and any name, place name, or other aspects involved in the text have nothing to do with reality (without any implications). If there is any similarity, it is purely a coincidence, please read it rationally. 】