Pre-diabetes
2020.3.2
*Available in Chi Version Only
Related Information
Novel Coronavirus Infection What Is the Pathogen? “Severe Respiratory Disease associated with a Novel Infectious Agent” refers to a cluster of viral pneumonia cases that first appeared in Wuhan, Hubei Province.According to health authorities in Mainland China, the pathogen responsible is a new type of coronavirus. What Are the Symptoms? Reported symptoms include fever, fatigue, dry cough, and breathing difficulties.Some patients may experience severe illness.Older adults or individuals with chronic medical conditions are at higher risk of developing serious complications. How Does It Spread? What Is the Incubation Period? The primary mode of transmission is through respiratory droplets, though contact transmission can also occur.Current information suggests the incubation period ranges from 1 to 12.5 days, with a median of 5–6 days, and may last up to 14 days in some cases. How Can It Be Treated? There is currently no specific antiviral treatment.Care is mainly supportive, focusing on symptom relief and maintaining organ function. How Can It Be Prevented? There is no vaccine for this novel coronavirus at the moment.To prevent pneumonia and respiratory infections, the public should maintain good personal and environmental hygiene through the following measures: Wear a surgical mask when taking public transportation or visiting crowded places.Always keep your hands clean before putting on or removing a mask. Wash hands frequently, especially before touching your mouth, nose, or eyes; before eating; after using the toilet; after touching public installations such as handrails or door handles; or after contact with respiratory secretions (for example, after sneezing or coughing). Maintain drainage and sewer hygiene by pouring about half a liter of water into each floor drain (U-trap) once a week to keep it filled and prevent the spread of germs. Close the toilet lid before flushing to avoid the dispersal of germs. Wash hands properly using liquid soap and water for at least 20 seconds, rinse thoroughly, and dry with a paper towel.If washing facilities are not available and hands are not visibly soiled, use a 70–80% alcohol-based hand sanitizer instead. Cover your mouth and nose with tissue when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of the used tissue in a covered rubbish bin at once, then wash hands thoroughly. If respiratory symptoms appear, wear a surgical mask, avoid work or school, stay away from crowded places, and seek medical advice promptly. Preventive Measures When Travelling Abroad Avoid travelling to Hubei Province or other areas with community transmission of the novel coronavirus. In affected countries or regions, avoid close contact with people who have fever or respiratory symptoms.If contact is unavoidable, wear a surgical mask and continue wearing it for 14 days after returning to Hong Kong. Avoid visiting hospitals unless necessary. If you must go, wear a surgical mask and practice strict hand hygiene. Avoid contact with animals, including wild game, birds, or animal droppings. Avoid wet markets, live poultry markets, or farms. Stay away from people with acute respiratory symptoms. Do not eat wild animals or patronize restaurants that serve them. Ensure food safety and hygiene by avoiding raw or undercooked animal products (such as milk, eggs, or meat), or any food possibly contaminated by animal secretions, excretions (e.g., urine), or products—unless it has been properly cooked, washed, or peeled. If you feel unwell while abroad, especially with fever or cough, wear a surgical mask, notify hotel staff or your tour guide, and seek medical care immediately. After returning to Hong Kong, if you develop fever or any symptoms, see a doctor promptly and inform them about your recent travel history and possible animal contact. Wear a mask to avoid transmitting illness to others. Source: Centre for Health Protection 2020.2.11 
The Hidden Fat More Dangerous than What You See Many people plan to “burn fat” when they see visible fat on their bodies.However, what’s far more dangerous is the invisible fat—visceral fat, which often goes unnoticed but can lead to serious health consequences. What’s the Difference Between Visceral Fat and Normal Fat? Most people think of body fat as the visible fat found on areas like the arms, abdomen, and thighs.But visceral adipose tissue (VAT) refers to fat stored around internal organs in the abdomen, such as the liver and intestines. This “active fat” releases various hormones and inflammatory chemicals that affect metabolism and increase insulin resistance, which in turn raises the risk of cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders. How Can I Know If My Visceral Fat Is Too High? Check whether you have central obesity (abdominal fat accumulation) — people with more fat around the waist tend to have higher visceral fat levels.To accurately measure visceral fat, MRI or CT scans are used, though these are primarily for medical research due to cost, time, and radiation exposure. Central obesity can be estimated by your waist-to-hip ratio (WHR): Men: WHR > 0.9 → Central obesity Women: WHR > 0.85 → Central obesity Is Visceral Fat Only a Problem for Overweight People? No. There are slim-looking individuals with high visceral fat—especially common among Asians.They may appear lean but actually have little muscle mass and high internal fat due to poor eating habits and lack of strength training.Because visceral fat accumulates around internal organs rather than under the skin, it often goes unnoticed, posing hidden health risks. Are there any Doctor’s Health Tips? Ignoring high visceral fat for too long can lead to severe illnesses such as: Type 2 diabetes Heart disease Hypertension High cholesterol or triglycerides Cognitive decline Stroke Breast cancer Colorectal cancer To reduce visceral fat and maintain health: Exercise 2 to 3 times a week, engaging in aerobic activities for at least 30 minutes—such as running, cycling, or swimming. Maintain a balanced, low-fat, low-sugar diet. Choose healthy cooking methods like steaming or boiling, and avoid deep-frying, pan-frying, or stir-frying. 2019.11.5 
Be aware! Having cholesterol that’s too low isn’t good for your health either! Why Are People Afraid of “Cholesterol”? Many people become anxious when they hear the word “cholesterol,” since it is often linked to serious conditions like heart disease, stroke, and vascular blockage.But is completely avoiding cholesterol the right way to stay healthy? And are slim people truly immune from cholesterol problems? Is It True That “the Lower the Cholesterol, the Better”? No!Cholesterol is an essential substance that helps maintain the structural integrity of cells. It is a type of fat that plays a key role in forming cell membranes, bile, and various hormones, and also helps digest dietary fats. Cholesterol is divided into “good” and “bad” types: People with low good cholesterol (HDL below 1 mmol/L) People with high bad cholesterol (LDL above 3.4 mmol/L) Both groups are at greater risk of developing heart disease. Therefore, cholesterol should neither be too high nor too low — it’s all about maintaining a healthy balance. Dietary Tips To reduce cholesterol absorption:Eat plenty of fresh fruits and high-fibre foods. To raise good cholesterol (HDL):Consume omega-3 fatty acids, found in deep-sea fish such as salmon or in fish oil supplements. To prevent the buildup of bad cholesterol (LDL):Avoid fatty and high-cholesterol foods such as fatty meat, animal organs, chicken skin, pork knuckles, duck feet, egg yolks, crab roe, hairy crabs, shrimp, oysters, and squid. Do Slim People Need to Worry About Cholesterol? Yes—everyone should pay attention! Even slim individuals can have high cholesterol levels.About 70% of cholesterol is produced naturally by the body, while only 30% comes from food.Slim people may have genetic factors that cause the liver to produce excess cholesterol or prevent it from breaking down efficiently. If you have a family history of high cholesterol, you must remain cautious—even if you appear slender. Apart from Medication, How Can You Improve Cholesterol Levels? Start with everyday habits!Doctors frequently emphasize lifestyle adjustments: Maintain a healthy body weight. Eat a low-fat, low-salt, and low-sugar diet. Exercise regularly and stay active. There is no medication more effective than healthy living.Many patients who have committed to these habits have seen improvements in their cholesterol readings within three to six months. 2019.8.2