Core information on diabetes prevention and treatment (2016)

(en.nhfpc.gov.cn)

Updated: 2016-04-08

I. Diabetes is a metabolic disease caused by insulin secretion and (or) function defect. It is characterized by elevated blood sugar.

II. Major symptoms of diabetes includes polydipsia, polyphagia and frequent urination, as well as weight loss, itchy skin, blurred vision and other acute metabolic disorders.

III. Common complications, possibly leading to disability or premature death, include apoplexy, myocardial infarction, retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy and diabetic foot syndrome.

IV. Those who are overweight, or have hypertension, dyslipidemia, or cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and those who sit a lot, are at high risk and are advised to take a diabetes test. 

V. Diabetes can be avoided. Keeping a normal body weight, taking regular exercise and paying attention to healthy diet can reduce the risk of getting diabetes. 

VI. Nutrition, sports and drug therapies, as well as health education and blood sugar monitoring are effective measures against diabetes. Self-monitoring of blood sugar should be carried out under the guidance of medical personnel. 

VII. Diabetes patients should take measures to bring down blood sugar and pressure, adjust blood fat and control weight. Redressing an unhealthy lifestyle, such as cutting back on smoking, drinking, oil and salt and increasing exercise can significantly reduce the risks of diabetes and complications. Active treatment and stable control of the disease and any complication development can enable patients to lead a normal life. 

VIII. Traditional Chinese medicine can be used to treat people at high risk and early-stage diabetes patients. 

IX. China carries out a tiered system of medical care service for diabetes. Medical teams consisting of doctors from hospitals above second level and medical personnel from community medical facilities offer quality on-site services for patients. 

X. Hospitals above second level and community medical facilities implement two-way referral systems to offer health checks, complication screenings, follow-up visits and treatment to patients and guide them in health management. The third-level hospitals are responsible for difficult and critical cases.