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 reduced secretion or reduction in the 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 after a long period of time it 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 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 more 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 can be associated with genetic diseases or damage to the pancreas due to some infectious diseases. diseases.
Types of diabetes
Due to the different clinical picture, today there are several forms (types) of diabetes:
- Infantile diabetes (0 to 14 years)
- Juvenile diabetes (ages 15 to 24)
- Adult diabetes (25 to 64 years)
- "senile" diabetes (out of 65 until the end of life)
Experienced doctors classify diabetes in their own way:
- Endocrine diabetes, in combination with diseases of the endocrine glands (endocrine glands).
- Pancreatogenic diabetes associated with pancreatic diseases (diabetes).
- Iatrogenic diabetes, which occurs in children after the use of certain types of drugs.
- 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 little or no insulin. It can occur at any age, but is more common 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. On 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 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), obese and the elderly. 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 adjuvant in all cases of moderate physical activity. If this therapy does not give positive results, we 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 occurs in women, which can lead to disturbances in insulin secretion and, consequently, to an increase in blood glucose levels. The risk group includes women over the age of 25 who are overweight before pregnancy, particularly 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 mild and harmless to you if they appear at all. You can have diabetes for months or even years and see no 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 you are sick, excess sugar (glucose) builds up in your 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 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 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 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 fluids from tissues, including the eyes. This affects the ability to concentrate. If left untreated, diabetes can cause eye damage. For most people, these early changes don't cause vision problems. However, if these changes don't last for a long time, they can lead to vision loss and blindness.
- Slow wound healing or frequent infections. Doctors and patients have noted 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.
- Tingling in the hands and feet. Excess blood sugar can damage the nerves. You may notice tingling and numbness in the arms and legs, as well as painful burning sensations in the 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. The teeth become loose and inflammation can occur, especially if you have gum infections before diabetes develops.
Type 1 diabetes usually develops rapidly and therefore its symptoms are more pronounced. The second type often does not cause unusual problems because it develops gradually and in a very subtle way over the course of many years. It is diagnosed only after the complications of diabetes are detected. If you notice any early signs of diabetes, talk to your doctor. The condition is diagnosed earlier, and treatment can begin earlier.
4 causes of diabetes. What does it come from?
- Inheritance. The tendency to diabetes is transmitted directly to the offspring, and the manifestation of the disease can also depend on other factors during life, which is why diabetes does not appear in every offspring. There are numerous examples of this diabetes behavior in everyday life. It is well known that parents' children should not suffer from diabetes. In addition, diabetics themselves are not always closely associated with the onset of this disease or do not know the disease history of their 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 detrimental effect on the functioning of the body. What are the causes of 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), obesity and other conditions. The occurrence of diabetes in these conditions and diseases is associated with a reduced 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, decreased physical activity, transition period in men and women (menopause), tendency to frequent infections, 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, lifestyle and nutrition (rural - urban), the performance of professional tasks that require a large mental load ( stressful situations), the birth of a large child (more than 4 kg) and others.
- Effects of some 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 drugs are products that act on blood pressure and better urination. Also, oral contraceptives or birth control pills have an effect on blood glucose 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 the timely elimination of behavioral disorders of blood sugar.
Diabetes Diagnosis
The diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is made in the laboratory. Doctors confirm (or refute) the diagnosis based on the following data:
- If in two cases the fasting blood glucose level is above 7 mmol / l
- If your blood glucose at any time of the day is above 11, 1 mmol / L
- The doctor may prescribe a so-called glucose tolerance test (OGTT). This test measures fasting blood glucose and then, after drinking a drink, a sugary liquid consisting of 75 grams of glucose dissolved in water. Blood glucose measurement confirms the diagnosis of diabetes.
Blood glucose levels may be above 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 below the level a diagnosed with diabetes. A diagnosis of impaired glucose tolerance or prediabetes can be made.
How to cure diabetes?
Diabetes can be treated in several ways:
- insulin and diet;
- medicinal tablets and diet;
- 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 insulin production or complete absence of synthesis in the pancreas)
- physical condition (fat, thin, or normal weight)
Diabetes prevention
Prevention of type 2 diabetes implies 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, quit smoking, and use medications only as directed by your doctor.
Changing your diet involves eating foods based on energy needs, optimal food composition, understanding what you can eat without restrictions, foods rich in simple sugars, cooking foods, 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 per day.
- Use the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Walking or cycling to work.
- When using transportation, 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 your gardening.