Diabetes mellitus (lat. Diabetes mellitus) is a chronic, incurable systemic metabolic disorder characterized by persistently high blood glucose levels. This is mainly due to hereditary factors and due to reduced secretion or reduced biological effects of the insulin hormone or a combination of both. This deficiency interferes with the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in the body (which manifests itself with typical problems), and after a long period of time affects the structure and function of blood vessels, nerves and other vital organs and systems.
Diabetes is one of the most common endocrine disorders with a continuous increase in prevalence (especially in developed countries). This is the result of a modern lifestyle and the increase in the number of external etiological factors, among which obesity stands out.
Diabetes is more common in older people as a result of generalized degenerative and sclerotic changes in the body (affecting the pancreas), and in young men and women it can be associated with genetic disorders or damage to the pancreas as a result of certain infections. diseases.
Types of diabetes
Due to the different clinical appearance, today there are several forms (types) of diabetes:
- Childhood diabetes (0 to 14 years)
- Juvenile diabetes (15 to 24 years old)
- Adult-onset diabetes (25 to 64 years)
- "Plenic" diabetes (from 65 to the end of life)
Expert doctors classify diabetes in their own way:
- Endocrine diabetes, in combination with diseases of the endocrine glands (endocrine glands).
- Pancreatogenic diabetes associated with diseases of the pancreas (diabetes).
- Iatrogenic diabetes, which appears in children after the use of certain types of drugs.
- Hepatic diabetes mellitus (hematogen), in patients with liver failure and other diseases.
Type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent)
Type 1 diabetes is the most severe form of diabetes and occurs because the cells in the pancreas (beta cells) produce too little or no insulin. It can occur at any age, but is most commonly seen in children and young adults. Insulin is applied from the first day. Strict self-control, diet and physical activity are a mandatory part of the treatment. You can read more about insulin therapy in the article about insulin.
type 2 diabetes
Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes in our country and around the world. The pancreas of patients with the second type produces insulin, but in insufficient quantities, or the body creates resistance (immunity) to the hormone insulin. It occurs at all ages, but mostly in adults (over 40), the obese and the elderly. Modern life with high daily rates is very favorable for the development of this type of diabetes. Treatment is done with diet or a combination of diet and oral antidiabetic medications. Herbal teas are used as aids in all cases of moderate physical activity. If this therapy does not give positive results, it is switched to insulin therapy, with the possibility of using oral antidiabetic agents.
Diabetes during pregnancy (gestational)
This latent form of diabetes is related to pregnancy, during which in women there is a change in the hormonal balance, which can lead to disorders of insulin secretion and, consequently, to an increase in the level of glucose in the blood. The risk group includes women over 25 who are overweight before pregnancy, especially those with a genetic predisposition to develop the disease. Blood sugar levels usually stabilize after the baby is born. However, in a woman, gestational diabetes can later be the cause of type 2 diabetes.
Symptoms of diabetes
Symptoms of diabetes are often invisible. The first signs of diabetes, especially type 2, may seem small and harmless, if they appear at all. You can have diabetes for months or even years and not see any signs of it.
Understanding the possible symptoms of diabetes can lead to early diagnosis and treatment. If you have any of the following signs and symptoms, consult your doctor immediately.
- Excessive thirst and frequent urination are classic signs and symptoms of diabetes. When you get sick, excess sugar (glucose) builds up in your blood. Your kidneys have to work harder to filter and absorb excess sugar. If your kidneys fail, excess sugar is excreted in the urine as fluid from the tissues. This causes more frequent urination, which can lead to dehydration. You will want to drink more fluids to quench your thirst, which again leads to frequent urination.
- Fatigue can be caused by many factors. It can also be caused by dehydration, frequent urination and the body's inability to function properly because less sugar can be used for energy.
- Weight loss is also known as a possible sign and symptom of diabetes. When you lose sugar through frequent urination, you lose calories. At the same time, diabetics can take sugar from food for cells, which leads to constant hunger. The overall effect is potentially rapid weight loss, especially if you have type 1 diabetes.
- Symptoms of diabetes can sometimes include vision problems. High blood sugar draws fluid from tissues, including the eyes. This affects the ability to concentrate. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to eye damage. For most people, these early changes do not cause vision problems. However, if these changes do not continue for a long time, they can lead to vision loss and blindness.
- Slow wound healing or frequent infections. Doctors and patients have noticed that infections are more common if you have diabetes. Scientists, however, have not yet been able to explain the reason for this. It is possible that high blood sugar levels weaken natural wound healing and the ability to fight infections. In women, bladder and vaginal infections are particularly common.
- Crushing in hands and feet. Too much sugar in the blood can damage nerves. You may notice tingling and numbness in your arms and legs, as well as painful burning sensations in your arms, legs and feet.
- Red, swollen, sensitive gums. Diabetes can impair the ability to fight germs, increasing the risk of infection of the gums and the bones that hold the teeth in place. Teeth become loose and inflammation can occur, especially if you have gum infections before diabetes develops.
Type 1 diabetes usually develops quickly and therefore its symptoms are more pronounced. The second type often does not cause any unusual problems because it develops gradually and in a very subtle way over many years. It is diagnosed only after the complications of diabetes are detected. If you notice any possible early signs of diabetes, talk to your doctor. The condition is diagnosed earlier and treatment can begin sooner.
4 causes of diabetes. Where do you come from?
- Legacy. The tendency of diabetes passes directly to the offspring and the manifestation of the disease can also depend on other factors during life and this is the reason that diabetes does not appear in every offspring. There are many examples of this diabetes behavior in everyday life. It is known that children of parents should not suffer from diabetes. In addition, diabetics themselves are not always closely related to the appearance of this disease, or do not know the history of diseases of deceased ancestors.
- Diseases and other conditions. Unlike inherited diabetes mellitus, there are diseases and conditions in which diabetes can also be diagnosed. Such diabetes is called secondary because it develops under the direct influence of a real disease or a harmful effect on the functioning of the body. What causes diabetes mellitus? The appearance of the disease is possible with chronic alcoholism, chronic pancreatic disease, various endocrine disorders (adrenal gland, pituitary gland, thyroid gland), obesity and other conditions. The appearance of diabetes in these conditions and diseases is associated with impaired breakdown of glucose in the blood under the influence of the same causes that led to the development of this disease or condition.
- Additional risk factors. In addition to the hereditary transmission of the disease, there are other causes of diabetes, such as a diet rich in sweets, fat intake and obesity, reduced physical activity, the transition period in men and women (menopause), the tendency to frequent infections, etc. colds and inflammations. It is also known that the risk factors for the development of diabetes in the modern lifestyle include changes in the environment, the way of life and nutrition (rural - urban), performing professional tasks that require a large mental load (stressful situations), the birth ofa large child (more than 4 kg) and others.
- Effects of certain drugs. The first group of drugs that can affect the external manifestation of diabetes include drugs used for rheumatic diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, some drugs for kidney and skin diseases and various allergic diseases. Another group of drugs are products that act on blood pressure and better urination. In addition, oral contraceptives, or birth control pills, have an effect on blood sugar behavior. There are other drugs and hormones that affect the onset of diabetes. But all these drugs are known to medicine and the control of their intake allows timely elimination of blood sugar behavior disorders.
Diabetes diagnosis
The diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is carried out in the laboratory. The doctor confirms (or rejects) the diagnosis based on the following data:
- If in two cases the fasting blood glucose level is more than 7 mmol/l
- If blood glucose at any time during the day is greater than 11. 1 mmol/L
- Your doctor may order a so-called glucose tolerance test (OGTT). This test measures your fasting blood sugar and then, after you've drunk a drink, a sugary liquid consisting of 75 grams of glucose dissolved in water. Measuring blood sugar confirms the diagnosis of diabetes.
Blood glucose levels may be higher than normal (6 to 7 mmol/L glucose, or between 7. 8 and 11. 1 mmol/L 2 hours after a glucose tolerance test) and even morelower than the level at which diabetes was diagnosed. A diagnosis of impaired glucose tolerance or prediabetes can be made.
How to treat diabetes?
Diabetes can be treated in several ways:
- insulin and diet;
- tablet medicine and diet;
- a diet;
- combination therapy with insulin + pills (it is a very common way for type 2 and obesity, insulin and metformin are taken.
There are 5 basic principles of diabetes management. The choice of treatment method depends on many factors.
The choice of treatment depends on:
- age (children and young adults are always given insulin and diet)
- the complexity of the disease (decrease in insulin production or complete lack of synthesis in the pancreas)
- physical condition (fat, thin or normal weight)
Prevention of diabetes
Prevention of type 2 diabetes involves an individual approach - counseling on the implementation of simple measures that will lead to lifestyle changes. You should change your diet, maintain physical activity, control your body weight, stop smoking and use medications only as directed by your doctor.
Dietary modification includes eating foods according to energy needs, optimal food composition, understanding what can be eaten without restrictions, foods high in simple sugars, cooking food, the impact of physical activity on energy expenditure.
Physical activity should become a habit. Your daily physical activity program should include:
- At least 30 minutes of walking a day.
- Use the stairs instead of the elevator.
- I walked or biked to work.
- When using transport, get off early and walk the rest of the way.
- Walk to shops and other facilities.
- Supervise children in their physical activity.
- Clear the snow and organize the gardening.