Upon admission, Binh's blood sugar was 4 times higher than normal, and her blood ketone levels were 20 times elevated. Doctor of first-degree specialization Vo Tran Nguyen Duy, from the Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes at Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, explained that Binh's constant thirst and frequent urination stemmed from her body's inability to effectively use sugar from food.

The accumulation of sugar in the blood forces the kidneys to work harder, expelling excess sugar through urine. This results in frequent urination, rapid dehydration, and constant thirst. For Binh, persistently high and uncontrolled blood sugar led to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a complication characterized by the buildup of acidic ketone bodies in the blood, causing rapid shallow breathing, a fast heart rate, and low blood pressure.

Doctor Duy examines Binh after her blood sugar was stabilized. *Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital*

Doctors prescribed fluid replacement and administered insulin via an automatic syringe pump to stabilize the patient's blood sugar and avert severe ketoacidosis complications. Binh's thirst subsided after one day of hospital treatment, and by the 5th day, her blood sugar was stable, with ketone levels returning to normal.

Key indicators of diabetes include significant weight loss, frequent urination, and intense thirst. Yet, these symptoms can be subtle in the early stages, leading many individuals to delay seeking medical evaluation. Consequently, most patients are diagnosed with diabetes only after complications have developed.

Measuring a patient's blood sugar during a check-up. *Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital*

The Ministry of Health reports that approximately 7 million Vietnamese people are living with diabetes, with over 55% experiencing complications. The prevalence of diabetes is increasing and affecting younger demographics, partly attributed to modern life stress, unhealthy eating habits, sedentary lifestyles, and diets rich in sugar and fat.

Doctor Duy emphasized that early detection and effective management of blood sugar, blood pressure, and other risk factors can reduce the risk of diabetes complications by 80%.

Bach Duong

*Patient's name has been changed