Diabetes mellitus (lat. Diabetes mellitus) is a chronic, incurable systemic metabolic disorder characterized by constantly elevated blood sugar levels. This is mainly due to hereditary factors and reduced secretion or reduced biological effects of the hormone insulin or a combination of both. This deficiency interferes with the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in the body (which manifests itself in typical problems) and, after a long time, affects the structure and function of blood vessels, nerves and othervital organs and systems.
Diabetes is one of the most common endocrine disorders with a steady increase in prevalence (especially in developed countries). This is the result of a modern lifestyle and an increase in the number of external etiological factors, among which obesity stands out.
Diabetes is most common in older people due to generalized degenerative and sclerotic changes in the body (affecting the pancreas), and in young adult men and women it may be associated with genetic disorders or damage to the pancreasas a result of certain infectious diseases. diseases.
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 old)
- Adult diabetes (25 to 64 years old)
- "senile" diabetes (out of 65 until the end of life)
Expert doctors classify diabetes in their own way:
- Endocrine diabetes, in association with diseases of the endocrine glands (endocrine glands).
- Pancreatigenic diabetes associated with diseases of the pancreas (diabetes).
- Iatrogenic diabetes, which occurs in children after using certain types of medication.
- Hepatic (hematogenous) diabetes mellitus, 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 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. Strict self-control, diet and physical activity are an integral part of treatment. About insulin therapy, you can read more in the article about insulin.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes in our country and in 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 especially in adults (over 40), the obese and the elderly. Modern lifestyle with a high daily rhythm is very conducive to the development of this type of diabetes. Treatment is with diet or a combination of diet and oral antidiabetics. Herbal teas are used as an aid in all cases of moderate physical activity. If this therapy does not show positive results, they switch to insulin therapy, with the possibility of using oral antidiabetics.
Diabetes in pregnancy (gestational)
This latent form of diabetes is associated with pregnancy, during which a change in the hormonal balance in women occurs, which can lead to disturbances in insulin secretion and, as a result, an increase in blood sugar. The risk group includes women over the age of 25 who were overweight before pregnancy, especially those with a genetic predisposition to developing the disease. Blood sugar usually stabilizes after the baby is born. However, in a woman, gestational diabetes can later be the cause of type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes symptoms
Symptoms of diabetes are often invisible. The first signs of diabetes, especially type 2, may seem minor and innocuous to you, or even non-existent. You can have diabetes for months or even years without seeing any signs of it.
Understanding the possible symptoms of diabetes can lead to early diagnosis and treatment. If you experience any of the following signs and symptoms, see your doctor immediately.
- 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, the excess sugar is excreted in the urine as fluid from the tissues. This causes more frequent urination, which can lead to dehydration. You'll 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 sign and possible symptom of diabetes. When you lose sugar by urinating frequently, you lose calories. At the same time, diabetics can obtain sugar from food for the 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. It 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 don't last long, they can lead to vision loss and blindness.
- Slow healing or frequent infections. Doctors and patients have noticed that infections are more common if you have diabetes. However, scientists have not yet been able to explain the reason for this. High blood sugar levels may impair natural wound healing and the ability to fight infection. In women, infections of the bladder and vagina are particularly common.
- Tingling in the hands and feet. Excess sugar in the blood can damage the 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 sensitive gums. Diabetes can impair the ability to fight germs, increasing the risk of infection of the gums and bones that hold 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, so its symptoms are more pronounced. The second type often does not cause unusual problems because it develops gradually and very subtly over many years. It is diagnosed only after the detection of complications of diabetes. If you notice possible early signs of diabetes, talk to your doctor. The condition is diagnosed earlier and treatment can begin sooner.
4 causes of diabetes. What is it from?
- Heredity. The tendency of diabetes is transmitted directly to the offspring, and the manifestation of the disease may also depend on other factors during life, and this is the reason why diabetes does not appear in every offspring. There are many examples of this diabetes behavior in everyday life. We know that the children of 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 diseases of deceased predecessors.
- 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 a real disease or a negative effect on the functioning of the body. What causes diabetes mellitus? The onset 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 onset of diabetes in these conditions and diseases is associated with a deterioration in the 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. Apart from the hereditary transmission of the disease, there are other causes of diabetes, such as diet rich in sweets, fat intake and obesity, decrease in physical activity, transition period inman and woman (menopause), a tendency to frequent infections, colds and inflammations. It is also known that risk factors for the development of diabetes in the modern way of life include changes in the environment, lifestyle and diet (rural - urban), performance of work tasks requiring heavy loadsignificant mental (stressful situations), the birth of a 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 affect 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 controlling their intake helps to eliminate blood sugar behavioral disorders in time.
Diagnosis of diabetes
The diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is made in the laboratory. The doctor confirms (or refutes) the diagnosis based on the following data:
- If in two cases the fasting blood sugar level is greater than 7 mmol/l
- If blood sugar at any time of the day is above 11. 1 mmol/L
- Your doctor may order a so-called glucose tolerance test (OGTT). This test measures blood glucose on an empty stomach and then, after drinking a drink, a sugary liquid composed of 75 grams of glucose dissolved in water. Blood glucose measurement confirms the diagnosis of diabetes.
Blood sugar levels can be higher than normal (6 to 7 mmol/L of glucose, or between 7. 8 and 11. 1 mmol/L 2 hours after a glucose tolerance test) and even lower than the level at which diabeteshas been diagnosed. A diagnosis of glucose intolerance or prediabetes may be made.
How to treat diabetes?
Diabetes can be treated in several ways:
- insulin and diet;
- drugs in tablets and diet;
- a diet;
- insulin + pills combination therapy (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 still receive insulin and diet)
- the complexity of the disease (decreased insulin production or total absence of synthesis in the pancreas)
- physical condition (fat, lean or normal weight)
Diabetes prevention
Prevention of type 2 diabetes involves an individual approach - advice 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.
Changing diet involves eating foods based on energy needs, optimal food composition, understanding what can be eaten without restriction, foods high in simple sugars, cooking foods, impact ofphysical activity on energy expenditure.
Physical activity should become a habit. Your daily physical activity schedule should include:
- At least 30 minutes of walking per day.
- Use the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Go to work on foot or by bike.
- 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.
- Plow snow and organize gardening.