In Songkhla province, there’s a silent threat quietly taking over – diabetes. The Health Control Office (HCO), in its recent report, revealed an alarming escalation in the incidence of diabetes among its local inhabitants.
The numbers are daunting. In health area 12 alone, the count of diabetic patients has spiraled from 4,980 cases in 2021, to 5,148 the following year, peaking at 5,396 cases this year. Phatthalung holds the dubious distinction of the highest number of cases, reporting 7,555 incidents. Trailing close behind are the provinces of Trang and Songkhla, with a patient count of 6,820 and 6,219 respectively.
A similar troubling trend is noticeable nationwide. The Health Data Center (HDC) exposes an upward shift in diabetes cases across the country. From a rate of 7,010 diagnosed cases in 2021, the figure shot up to 7,336 the next year, reaching 7,692 per 100,000 population this year. Alarmingly, the surge shows no signs of slowing down.
World Diabetes Day, marked every year on November 14, will serve to remind us of this clandestine danger. The observance promotes a shift in lifestyle habits, casting focus on behaviors that not only prevent diabetes but also minimize the risk of complications.
Dr Chalermpol Osothphromma, the incumbent director of HCO 12, sheds light on the disease’s pernicious effects. Marked by a deficiency in insulin production or the body’s inability to utilize sugar effectively, diabetes leads to persistent high blood sugar levels. Over time, this spells disaster for organ function, leading to degeneration in the eyes, kidney, heart vessels, and brain vessels. Poor wound healing and numbness in extremities are additional telltale signs.
“The fight against diabetes can start right at our dining table”, says Dr Chalermpol. Nipping diabetes in the bud involves a host of lifestyle modifications including healthier food choices. He strongly recommends ditching sugary, fatty, and salty meals. The same goes for smoking and alcohol – both convincingly linked to a higher risk of developing diabetes. Exercise too deserves a special mention, being a potent antidote to the disease. Finally, Dr Chalermpol advises those aged 35 and above to check those blood sugar levels annually.
If you’re experiencing symptoms like frequent urination, dry throat, incessant thirst, acute hunger, weight loss, slow-healing wounds, skin itching, blurred vision, numbness in extremities, and a dip in your libido, it’s time to consult a medical professional for diagnosis and treatment. This comes right from KhaoSod’s health report.
In a related narrative of intrigue, a 14-year-old boy from the Jiangxi province of China developed an unusual propensity for drinking water. Downplaying up to 30 liters of water a day, the boy would become restless if his water intake fell below this. Doctors diagnosed well – this was a rare case of diabetes insipidus, characterized by an extreme urge to drink water.
Read more about this fascinating case HERE.
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