Diabetes and China
orjohnston
May 28, 2008, 01:14 AM posted in General DiscussionI am moving to China for 6 months this summer and happen to have type 1 diabetes (requiring insulin). Wondering if someone can help me understand what to say if I need to ask someone for help while there including "I have diabetes", "I need some fruit juice quickly", and "Take me to a hospital". It would also be helpful to understand the following words: insulin, syringe, and sugar. Any other basic language indicating a medical emergency would be helpful.
Hopefully of course I won't need any of it!!
OJ
auntie68
May 28, 2008, 02:24 AMHello. May I add my 2-cents worth, even though I am not medically trained?
As soon as you arrive in China, check out the local healthcare facilities and try to get at least one local doctor -- somebody you have a good feeling about; bring a friend along with you -- acquainted with you, and your medical history, well enough to give you his or her cellphone number.
This China doctor may not necessarily be the one handling your medical needs in an emergency. But he or she can help you to communicate with the healthcare professionals who are treating you, and maybe even your home country doctor.
And it might not hurt to have your physician in your home country write you a detailed "To Whom It May Concern" note concerning your medical history and current treatment, which can be translated by a professional translator, and vetted by a relatively young PRC-born doctor in your home country (who could give you useful tips, vet the translation to make sure that it makes sense to any China doctor, and -- if the need arises -- be put on the phone with your China doctor). Your personal physician should not have a problem with any of that if you found this doctor-advocate through his or her help.
I know that Singaporean doctors would be extremely reluctant to act on such a document, but if it saves any time when time is of the essence, and your only problem is communication... well...
Still better if this PRC-born "doctor-advocate" can get to "know" your local China doctor via e-mail. Even in rural areas, it can be surprisingly easy to swing this.
Do try to ask a PRC-born doctor in advance about supplies. You may want to bring all your own sharps. Depending on the kind of insulin you take, it may be worth your while to check out the supply situation in your part of China.
Good luck and I am so happy for you that you are going to spend six whole months in China! Please keep us all posted!
orjohnston
May 30, 2008, 02:12 AMThis is great! Thank you Amber and auntie68! I will definitely keep you posted - I'm sure I'll be asking for lots of advice as I get adjusted to my new temporary home!
auntie68
May 30, 2008, 03:00 AM
You're welcome, orjohnston! One thing which may turn out to be a "plus" for you on your China adventure is the fact that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) does seem to have a highly developed "dietary philosophy" aimed at supporting the general health of diabetics.
It's not a substitute for Western medicine. Just an emphasis on certain foods (or combinations of foods) which are thought to help build up the system in just the right places, without aggravating the underlying diabetic condition.
Just make sure that you exercise good judgement. I can't speak for China, but here in Singapore, if you consulted an accredited TCM practitioner and asked for a supplement (补药；bu3yao4) to help support your general health as a Type I diabetic, they would be required by law to take your medical history so that they don't accidentally prescribe something that would interfere with your medication. I wish you all the best health in China!
amber
May 28, 2008, 02:06 AMhi OJ,
Here you go:
I have diabetes
我有糖尿病。
(Wǒ yǒu tángniàobìng.)
I need some fruit juice quickly。
我得马上喝点儿果汁。
(Wǒ děi mǎshàng hē diǎnr guǒzhī.)
Take me to a hospital
请送我去医院
(Qǐng sòng wǒ qù yīyuàn)
insulin 胰岛素 (yídǎosù)
syringe 注射器 (zhùshèqì)
sugar 糖 (táng)