Does diabetes being painless and asymptomatic mean everything is fine? Does it mean there are no complications?

If you are a diabetic patient and also hold this belief, please carefully read this article—it might just save your life.

Last week, while discussing cases with my mentor, a patient came to the clinic for a diabetes consultation. Before he even spoke, we could tell from his distressed expression that he was emotionally shaken—visibly low-spirited and anxious. My mentor and I sat quietly, allowing him time to collect himself. Nervous, the patient stammered as he spoke, and it took us a while to understand his situation. Let me share his story with you.

The patient, Mr. Wang, aged 55, was diagnosed with diabetes six months ago. Frightened and unfamiliar with the condition, he sought treatment everywhere—like many diabetes patients—hoping to find some miracle cure. He was hospitalized four times in a year, only to see his condition worsen after each discharge. Naturally, his blood sugar control became increasingly erratic, heightening his anxiety. Then, he learned that a relative—his older cousin—had been diabetic for over a decade. Seeking guidance, he asked his cousin how he managed his blood sugar all these years. His cousin reassured him, saying, "Diabetes isn’t scary; it doesn’t hurt or itch. Look at me—I eat and drink normally, and I’m perfectly fine."

Don’t listen to those doctors—they just want to scare you into taking medication. See how well I’m doing? No issues at all. Don’t stress." But just as his cousin was boasting, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest, followed by excessive sweating and shortness of breath. Fortunately, his home was close to a hospital. They called 120, and he was rushed in and diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction. A coronary CT scan revealed a 90% blockage in his major cardiac artery, requiring the immediate placement of three stents to save his life. When Mr. Wang visited his cousin in the hospital, the cousin anxiously told him, "The doctors said my heart attack was caused by diabetes-related macrovascular complications. What I told you earlier was wrong—diabetes isn’t a joke. You must manage your blood sugar carefully. Don’t end up like me—it’ll be too late!

Mr. Wang had initially planned to follow his cousin’s carefree approach, but seeing his cousin suddenly develop severe complications left him terrified. He became so anxious he could barely eat or sleep, nearly pushing himself to the brink of collapse.

After being included in the out-of-hospital management program, through one-on-one guidance and treatment from myself and my mentor, his blood sugar levels have now normalized, his diet has become relatively more reasonable, and most importantly, he is no longer as anxious as before. He has regained confidence in life.

I believe the greatest honor of being a doctor is witnessing the patients under my care gradually regain their health.