Diabetes mellitus (lat. Diabetes mellitus) is a chronic and 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 hormone insulin or a combination of the two. This deficiency interferes with the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in the body (which is manifested by typical problems) and, over a long period of time, affects the structure and function of blood vessels, nerves and other vital organs and organ systems.
Diabetes is one of the most common endocrine diseases with a steadily increasing 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 adult men and women it can be associated with genetic disorders or damage to the pancreas as a result of certain infectious diseases. illnesses.
types of diabetes
Due to the different clinical picture, today there are several forms (types) of diabetes:
- Childhood diabetes (0 to 14 years old)
- Juvenile diabetes (15 to 24 years)
- Adult diabetes (25 to 64 years)
- "senile" diabetes (from 65 to end of life)
Specialist 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 occurs in children after using certain types of medication.
- Hepatic (haematogenic) diabetes mellitus, in patients with hepatic impairment and other diseases.
Type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent)
Type 1 diabetes is the most serious form of diabetes and occurs because the cells in the pancreas (beta cells) produce very little or no insulin. It can occur at any age, but is more common in children and young adults. Insulin is applied from day one. Rigorous self-control, diet and physical activity are a mandatory part of the treatment. About insulin therapy, you can read more in the article on 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 amounts, or the body creates resistance (immunity) to the hormone insulin. It occurs in all ages, but mainly in adults (over 40 years), obese and elderly. The modern lifestyle with a high daily pace is very conducive to the development of this type of diabetes. Treatment is with diet or a combination of diet and oral antidiabetic drugs. Herbal teas are used as an aid in all cases of moderate physical activity. If this therapy does not show positive results, they are switched to insulin therapy, with the possibility of using oral antidiabetics.
Diabetes during pregnancy (gestational)
This latent form of diabetes is associated with pregnancy, during which there is a change in the woman's hormonal balance, which can lead to disturbances in insulin secretion and, consequently, to an increase in blood glucose. The risk group includes women over 25 who were 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.
diabetes symptoms
The symptoms of diabetes are often invisible. Early signs of diabetes, especially type 2, may seem minor and harmless to you if they appear. 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, see your doctor right away.
- Excessive thirst and frequent urination are classic signs and symptoms of diabetes. When sick, excess sugar (glucose) builds up in the blood. Your kidneys have to work hard to filter and absorb excess sugar. If your kidneys fail, excess sugar is excreted in the urine as tissue fluid. 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 recognized as a possible sign and symptom of diabetes. When you lose sugar through frequent urination, you lose calories. At the same time, diabetics can get sugar from food into their 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 persist for a long time, they can lead to vision loss and blindness.
- Slow healing of wounds 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 for high blood sugar levels to weaken natural wound healing and the ability to fight infections. In women, bladder and vaginal infections are especially common.
- Tingling in hands and feet. Excessive blood sugar 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 and tender gums. Diabetes can impair your ability to fight germs, increasing your risk of infection of the gums and bones that hold your teeth in place. Teeth become loose and inflammation can occur, especially if you had gum infections before diabetes developed.
Type 1 diabetes usually develops quickly, so its symptoms are more pronounced. The second type usually does not cause unusual problems because it develops gradually and very subtly over many years. It is diagnosed only after 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 start sooner.
4 causes of diabetes. What does it come from?
- Heredity. The tendency of diabetes is directly passed on to the offspring, and the manifestation of the disease can also depend on other factors during life, and this is the reason why diabetes does not appear in all offspring. There are countless examples of this diabetes behavior in everyday life. It is known that the children of the parents should not suffer from diabetes. In addition, diabetics themselves are not always closely associated with the occurrence of this disease or do not know the history of the diseases of deceased ancestors.
- Other diseases and conditions. Unlike hereditary 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 an actual disease or a harmful effect on the functioning of the body. What causes diabetes mellitus? The occurrence of the disease is possible with chronic alcoholism, chronic diseases of the pancreas, various endocrine disorders (adrenal glands, pituitary gland, thyroid gland), obesity and other conditions. The occurrence of diabetes in these conditions and diseases is associated with impaired breakdown of blood glucose 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, decreased physical activity, transition period in men and women (menopause), tendency to frequent infections, colds and inflammation. It is also known that risk factors for the development of diabetes in the modern lifestyle include changes in the environment, lifestyle and nutrition (rural - urban), the performance of professional tasks that require a great mental load (stressful situations), the birth of a large child (over 4 kg) and others.
- Effects of certain drugs. The first group of drugs that can affect the external manifestation of diabetes includes drugs used for rheumatic diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, some drugs for kidney and skin diseases, and various allergic diseases. Another group of medications are products that work on blood pressure and improve urination. Also, oral contraceptives or birth control pills affect blood sugar behavior. There are other drugs and hormones that affect the onset of diabetes. But all these drugs are known to medicine and controlling their intake allows for the timely elimination of behavioral blood sugar disorders.
diabetes diagnosis
The diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is performed in the laboratory. The doctor confirms (or refutes) the diagnosis based on the following data:
- If in two cases the fasting blood glucose level is greater than 7 mmol/l
- If blood glucose at any time of day is greater than 11. 1 mmol/L
- Your doctor may order a so-called glucose tolerance test (OGTT). This test measures fasting blood sugar and, after drinking a drink, a sugary liquid made up of 75 grams of glucose dissolved in water. Measuring blood sugar confirms the diagnosis of diabetes.
Blood glucose levels can be above 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 below the level in who was diagnosed with diabetes. A diagnosis of glucose intolerance or prediabetes may be made.
How to treat diabetes?
Diabetes can be treated in several ways:
- insulin and diet;
- pills and diet drugs;
- a diet;
- combination therapy of 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 always receive insulin and diet)
- the complexity of the disease (decreased production of insulin or complete absence of synthesis in the pancreas)
- physical condition (fat, thin or normal weight)
diabetes prevention
Preventing type 2 diabetes involves an individual approach - counseling on implementing simple measures that will lead to lifestyle changes. You need to change your diet, maintain physical activity, control your body weight, stop smoking, and use medications only as directed by your doctor.
Changing the diet involves eating food according to energy needs, ideal food composition, understanding what can be eaten without restrictions, foods rich in simple sugars, cooking food, the impact of physical activity on energy expenditure.
Physical activity must become a habit. Your daily physical activity schedule should include:
- At least 30 minutes of walking a day.
- Use the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Walking or cycling to work.
- When using transport, leave early and walk the rest of the road.
- Walk to stores and other facilities.
- Supervise children in their physical activity.
- Clear snow and organize gardening.