Many people think diabetes is just "slightly high blood sugar" and nothing serious. But today, we must solemnly tell you: diabetes can truly be life-threatening. It is like a silent assassin; long-term hyperglycemia is quietly eroding your blood vessels and organs throughout the body, and may eventually trigger a series of deadly complications.

Do you know these "deadly killers"?

The danger of diabetes lies not in the disease itself, but in the serious complications it causes, especially the following:

1. Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease ❤️

This is the leading cause of death in patients with diabetes.

Why is it deadly? Persistent hyperglycemia continually damages the vascular endothelium, accelerating atherosclerosis. The blood vessels become stiff and narrow, like rusted pipes.

、

Fatal consequences: The risk of sudden myocardial infarction and stroke is 2–4 times higher than in the general population. These conditions often have acute onset, high mortality, and high disability rates.

2. Acute complications: direct threats to life

。

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA): Common in type 1 diabetes or in type 2 diabetes under stressors such as infection. Severe insulin deficiency leads to a rapid rise in blood glucose and extensive fat breakdown producing large amounts of ketone bodies, turning the blood into an "acidic toxic soup." Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, deep rapid breathing; in severe cases, coma, shock, and very high mortality.

Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state: Common in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. Blood glucose soars to astonishing levels (often exceeding 33.3 mmol/L), causing extreme blood hyperconcentration, severe dehydration, altered consciousness, coma, with mortality exceeding 50%.

3. The kidney's "silent failure" →

Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (uremia). The kidney's filtration network (glomeruli) is damaged by hyperglycemia, and function gradually declines. Once it progresses to uremia, life must be sustained by dialysis or kidney transplantation, quality of life drops sharply, and the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events increases dramatically.

4. Difficult-to-heal infections and gangrene

Hyperglycemia is a "breeding ground" for bacteria and simultaneously damages nerves and blood vessels.

Diabetic foot: A minor wound can rapidly progress to difficult-to-control ulcers and gangrene due to local ischemia, diminished sensory neuropathy, and infection, ultimately leading to amputation. The 5-year mortality rate after amputation is as high as 50%.

Systemic infections: Such as pneumonia and urinary tract infections, which are more difficult to control in patients with diabetes and can more easily lead to sepsis, endangering life.

5. Other “hidden killers”

Retinopathy: It is the leading cause of blindness among working-age adults; blindness greatly increases the risk of accidental death.

Neuropathy: in addition to causing pain and numbness, it can also lead to "silent myocardial infarction," causing patients to miss the optimal rescue window.

Prevention is the only "antidote"!

The good news is that the vast majority of fatal complications can be prevented or delayed! The key is early, strict, and comprehensive management. Remember the following "three driving forces" and "one center":

First driving force: Scientific monitoring, keep a "count" in mind

Blood glucose: regularly monitor fasting and postprandial blood glucose; check glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) every 3–6 months — this is the "gold standard" for assessing glucose control over the past 2–3 months. Targets should be individualized, usually recommended <7%.

Complication screening: perform a comprehensive examination at least once a year:

Heart: electrocardiogram, blood pressure

Kidneys: urine microalbumin/creatinine, renal function

Eyes: Fundus examination

Feet: Neurological and vascular examination

Second driver: Standardized treatment; take medications as prescribed

Do not stop or adjust medications on your own! Pharmacologic therapy is the cornerstone of blood glucose control.

Newer glucose-lowering drugs (such as GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors) not only lower blood glucose but have also been shown to have clear cardioprotective and renoprotective effects, reducing the risks of heart failure, progression of kidney disease, and cardiovascular death.

The third pillar: lifestyle, which is always the foundation ♂️

As shown in the Tianjin Union Medical Center study we introduced earlier, intensive lifestyle intervention can create “reversal” miracles. It is equally crucial for preventing complications:

Diet: balanced nutrition, control total caloric intake, choose low glycemic index foods. The “high-protein diet” pattern studied, under physician guidance, is beneficial for weight loss and glycemic control.

Exercise: Maintain at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (such as brisk walking or swimming), plus two sessions of resistance training; this can significantly improve insulin sensitivity and protect cardiovascular health.

Weight management: Keeping body weight and waist circumference within standard ranges (BMI <24, male waist <90 cm, female <85 cm) is central to reducing insulin resistance.

One focus: controlling multiple risk factors

Diabetes management is not just glucose control, it is also a "battle to protect the vasculature."

Strict blood pressure control: blood pressure target is generally <130/80 mmHg.

Lipid-lowering therapy: focus on managing "bad cholesterol" (LDL-C).

Smoking cessation and alcohol limitation: smoking rapidly accelerates vascular damage.

✨ Summary

Diabetes is certainly frightening, but it is more like a "manageable chronic disease." Its deadliness largely depends on your attitude and actions toward it.

：

From today onward, please do the following:

Face it: accept the fact of the disease, but never be afraid.

Manage it: form an alliance with your physician to develop and adhere to a personalized treatment plan.

Overcome it: build the strongest long-term defense against complications with daily healthy eating, regular exercise, and a positive mindset.

Remember, the length and quality of your life are firmly in your own hands. Don’t give the "silent killer" any more chances!