The idyllic province of Songkhla in Thailand has been recently plagued by a not-so-silent demon: an ever-increasing prevalence of diabetes among its residents. The Health Control Office (HCO) there has been wringing their hands over the dawning awareness of a steep surge in this ailment. Astoundingly, the number of diagnosed cases has escalated from 4,980 in the not-so-distant time of 2021 to a chilling 5,396 in health area 12 this year!
The ghost town of Phatthalung takes the first prize in this unenviable race, being home to 7,555 recorded cases. Not lagging too far behind are Trang and Songkhla, with 6,820 and 6,219 respective cases revealing themselves. Alas, the silent threat named diabetes seems intent on casting its sombre shadow over innocent Thai souls.
The evidence is hard to ignore – data from the Health Data Center (HDC) shows spikes in the disease across the nation. In a matter of a few years, the numbers for every 100,000 people have edged up unnervingly from 7,010 in 2021 to 7,692 in the present year.
Come November 14, the people of Thailand will collectively pause to reflect on the silent danger lurking on their doorstep as part of the World Diabetes Day. It’s a call to arm for the public to pave a different path; one that leads them away from diabetes, and consequently, a bevy of risk-loaded complications.
“Diabetes,” notes Dr. Chalermpol Osothphromma, the director of HCO 12, “is a stealthy predator. Born from a malfunction in the body’s production and utilisation of the insulin hormone, it preys on our health by causing alarming rises in blood sugar levels.” Overgirding these effects is a wider network of potential damage – the eyes, kidneys, heart, brain vessels, and even wound-healing capabilities suffer a slow but devastating erosion. The dreadful ailment also inflicts numbness on your hands and feet.
Yet, according to Dr. Chalermpol, this dire fate isn’t sealed. A few adjustments in health behaviours can wage an effective war against the disease. It’s simple, really: cut down on sweet, fatty, and salty foods, exercise regularly, and steer clear of smoking and alcohol. Especially for those aged 35 and above, annual blood sugar check-ups and maintaining an appropriate body weight are as essential as air.
But, that’s not all. Nobody is immune to diabetes. And it doesn’t hesitate to rear its head in the most unexpected forms—like the case of a 14-year-old boy from the distant Jiangxi province of China. He began guzzling down a jaw-dropping 30 litres of water every day, throwing fits without his excessive hydration. The diagnosis? Diabetes Insipidus, an ultra-rare form of diabetes that triggers an unquenchable thirst. Intrigued? Find the full story HERE.
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