Diabetes: A Silent Threat Requiring Systematic Care
Diabetes has become a significant public health issue in Thailand, with over 6.5 million accumulated patients to date. This means that 1 in every 11 Thai citizens aged 15 and above is battling diabetes. Even more concerning, over 40% of these patients are unaware they have the disease. Additionally, more than 20 million obese individuals are at risk of developing diabetes in the future. To achieve the most effective care for diabetic patients, collaboration from a multidisciplinary team of medical and public health professionals is essential to create a comprehensive care system that addresses all aspects of a patient’s needs.
Why Choose Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai’s Comprehensive Diabetes Department?
- Holistic Care: Successful diabetes treatment isn’t just about medication. It requires comprehensive care, including blood sugar control, dietary modifications, exercise, medication management, and monitoring for complications.
- Convenience and Time-Saving: Having a comprehensive service in one location reduces travel time, simplifies appointments, and ensures continuity of care.
- Multidisciplinary Team at the Comprehensive Diabetes Clinic:
- Physicians Specializing in Diabetes and its Complications:
- Endocrinologists are experts in diabetes management and hormone-related disorders.
- Internal Medicine Physicians have experience in managing chronic diseases and diabetes complications.
- Diagnosis and Personalized Treatment Plans: We diagnose and create treatment plans tailored to each individual.
- Regular Monitoring and Medication Adjustments: We consistently monitor and adjust medications as needed.
- Management of Various Complications: Our specialized team addresses complications such as kidney disease, eye disease, and heart disease, including:
- Ophthalmologists: Examine and treat eye complications like diabetic retinopathy.
- Nephrologists: Provide care when diabetic patients begin to show signs of kidney deterioration.
- Cardiologists: Evaluate and treat cardiovascular conditions, which are a leading cause of death in diabetic patients.
- Neurologists: Treat nerve complications, such as diabetic neuropathy.
- Rehabilitation Physicians: Design appropriate footwear for diabetic patients to prevent foot ulcers.
- Professional Nurses (Diabetes Nurse Educators):
- Provide education and counseling on self-care for diabetic patients.
- Teach self-monitoring of blood glucose and accurate record-keeping.
- Offer guidance on insulin injection techniques and appropriate timing.
- Monitor symptoms and side effects from medication.
- Provide psychological support and help patients adapt to the disease.
- Dietitians:
- Assess nutritional status and individual energy requirements.
- Plan personalized meals suitable for lifestyle and preferences.
- Educate on carbohydrate counting and appropriate food choices.
- Monitor and adjust meal plans based on treatment outcomes.
- Recommend suitable food substitutes and supplements for diabetic patients.
- Physicians Specializing in Diabetes and its Complications:
Comprehensive Services at the Diabetes Clinic
Diagnosis:
- Complete Blood Sugar Tests: Includes FBS, Random glucose, HbA1c.
- OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test): For accurate diagnosis.
- Complication Screening: Such as kidney, eye, heart, and neurological system examinations.
- Assessment of Other Risk Factors: Including blood lipids and blood pressure.
Treatment and Control:
- Personalized Treatment Goals: Set according to age, health status, and risk factors.
- Diverse Diabetes Medications: Including oral medications and injectables (insulin or GLP-1 receptor agonists).
- Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Pump (Insulin Pump) Treatment: A medical device used to control blood sugar levels in diabetic patients by continuously delivering small amounts of insulin throughout the day (basal) and allowing for additional insulin doses with meals (bolus).
- Consistent Monitoring of Treatment Outcomes: And appropriate adjustment of the treatment plan.
- Timely Management of Complications.
Education and Counseling:
- Systematic Diabetes Education Programs.
- Self-Care Skill Training: Including blood sugar testing, injections, and foot care.
- Counseling on Appropriate Exercise: Tailored for diabetic patients.
- Behavior Modification Counseling: For better disease control.
Advanced Diagnostic Tools:
- Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM): A device with a small sensor implanted under the skin that monitors glucose levels 24/7, providing real-time results and alerts for high or low blood sugar.
- Advanced Complication Screening Technologies:
- EKG, Echo, CT coronary artery calcium score: To detect abnormal heart rhythm and myocardial dysfunction, as diabetes increases the risk of silent myocardial infarction (Silent MI).
- Nerve Conduction Study (NCS): Detects diabetic neuropathy and nerve deterioration even before clear symptoms appear.
- Carotid doppler ultrasound: Used to screen for carotid artery stenosis, which can lead to cerebral infarction.
- ABI (Ankle-Brachial Index): Used to detect peripheral artery disease.
- Albumin/Creatinine Ratio (ACR): Detects proteinuria in urine, allowing early screening for diabetic kidney disease.
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): Measures retinal thickness in detail, used to detect macular edema from diabetes.
- Diabetic Foot Exam with Monofilament: Tests sensation in the skin of the foot.
Monitoring and Evaluation System:
- Application for Recording and Tracking Results: For use with continuous glucose monitoring devices.
- Medication Reminders.
- Online Reporting of Results.
Long-Term Diabetes Prevention and Care
- Lifestyle Modification: Adjusting eating habits, exercising, and maintaining a healthy weight are crucial factors in long-term diabetes control.
- Regular Follow-ups: Consistent attendance at scheduled appointments helps maintain effective disease control and prevent complications.
- Motivation: Having clear goals and receiving support from the medical team helps patients stay motivated in their continuous self-care.
Effective diabetes care requires collaboration from a multidisciplinary team of specialists. Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai’s Diabetes Department is ready to provide care with an experienced team of doctors, nurses, and dietitians, along with a closely coordinated multidisciplinary team, ensuring continuous and highly efficient care. Regular monitoring of complications helps in rapid and timely adjustment of treatment plans. Moreover, patients receive continuous psychological support and care from an understanding and supportive team, empowering them to continue self-care and improve their quality of life.
