A 62-year-old woman frequently experienced dry, itchy skin, palpitations, hand tremors, and blurred vision. Initially, she thought these were symptoms of menopause or a mild skin allergy. However, a medical check revealed her blood sugar had skyrocketed to 474 mg/dL—well above the normal post-meal range of 70–140 mg/dL—putting her on the brink of a diabetic coma. After one week of treatment, her blood sugar dropped to 145 mg/dL, and her condition improved significantly.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner Alice highlighted that the key factor was the woman’s breakfast habit. She regularly consumed rice porridge or instant cereal drinks, both classified as high glycemic index (GI) foods. These cause blood sugar to spike rapidly, and over time, such fluctuations can severely impair metabolic function.
Alice explained that the woman already had mildly elevated blood sugar, but often stopped her medication when symptoms eased. Combined with her diet, this contributed to uncontrolled blood sugar. She emphasized that foods like porridge, sweet drinks, and instant cereals, while seemingly healthy and easy to digest, contain large amounts of carbohydrates that quickly convert to glucose, placing a heavy burden on insulin and pancreatic function.
For better blood sugar control, Alice recommends avoiding white porridge, instant cereals, fried foods, or combining multiple starches for breakfast. Instead, meals should focus on high-fiber vegetables, soy products, and eggs to slow carbohydrate absorption. She also stressed that blood sugar management depends not only on what you eat, but also the order in which foods are consumed.
Anyone experiencing symptoms such as excessive thirst, fatigue, blurred vision, or itchy skin should seek medical evaluation promptly. Untreated high blood sugar can lead to ketoacidosis, coma, and other serious complications. Consistent medication, balanced meals, and regular blood sugar monitoring are essential for long-term health and preventing complications.
