Diabetes mellitus (lat. Diabetes mellitus) is a chronic, incurable systemic metabolic disease characterized by persistently high blood glucose levels. This is mainly due to hereditary factors and reduced secretion or reduced biological action of insulin hormone or a combination of both. This deficiency interferes with the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in the body (which is manifested by typical problems), and after a long time affects the structure and functions of blood vessels, nerves and other vital organs and organ systems.
Diabetes is one of the most common endocrine diseases (especially in developed countries). This is the result of the modern lifestyle and the increase in the number of external etiological factors, among which obesity stands out.
Diabetes mellitus is most often associated with pancreatic damage in the elderly as a result of generalized degenerative and sclerotic changes in the body (affecting the pancreas) and in young men and women as a result of genetic disorders or certain infectious diseases. diseases.
Types of diabetes
Due to the different clinical picture, there are several forms (types) of diabetes today:
- Childhood diabetes (0-14 years)
- Juvenile diabetes (ages 15-24)
- Adult diabetes (ages 25-64)
- "senile" diabetes (from 65 until the end of life)
Experts classify diabetes according to their:
- Endocrine diabetes, together with diseases of the endocrine glands (endocrine glands).
- Pancreatogenic diabetes (diabetes mellitus) associated with pancreatic diseases.
- Iatrogenic diabetes in children after the use of certain types of drugs.
- In patients with liver (hematogenous) diabetes mellitus, 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 of 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 administered from the first day. Strict self-control, diet and physical activity are a mandatory part of treatment. You can read more about insulin therapy in the article about insulin.
type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form in our country and around the world. The pancreas of patients of the second type produces insulin, but in insufficient amounts, or the body creates resistance (immunity) to the insulin hormone. It occurs at all ages, but is more common in adults (over 40), the obese, and the elderly. A modern lifestyle with a high daily pace greatly contributes 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 adjuncts in all cases of moderate physical activity. If this therapy does not give a positive result, they switch to insulin therapy with the possibility of using oral antidiabetic agents.
Diabetes during pregnancy (gestational)
This hidden form of diabetes is associated with pregnancy, during which a change in the hormonal balance occurs in women, which can lead to a violation of insulin secretion and, as a result, an increase in the level of glucose in the blood. The risk group includes women over 25 years of age who were overweight before pregnancy, especially those with a genetic predisposition to the development of the disease. Blood sugar levels usually stabilize after the baby is born. However, in a woman, gestational diabetes can later become 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 to you, if they appear at all. You can have diabetes for months or even years and not have any symptoms.
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.
- Extreme thirst and frequent urination are classic signs and symptoms of diabetes. When sick, excess sugar (glucose) accumulates in the blood. Your kidneys have to work harder to filter and absorb excess sugar. If your kidneys fail, excess sugar is excreted from the tissues as a liquid in the urine. This leads to 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 due to dehydration, frequent urination and the body not working properly because less sugar can be used for energy.
- Weight loss is also considered 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 causes 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 cause eye damage. For most people, these early changes do not cause vision problems. However, if these changes are not sustained for a long time, they can lead to vision loss and blindness.
- Slow healing or frequent infections. Doctors and patients have noted that infections are more common if you have diabetes. Scientists have not yet been able to explain the reason for this. It is possible that high blood sugar levels impair the natural healing of wounds and the ability to fight infections. Bladder and vaginal infections are especially common in women.
- Tingling in hands and feet. Too much blood sugar can damage nerves. You may experience 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 weaken the ability to fight microbes, 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 had gum infections before developing diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes usually develops quickly and therefore its symptoms are more pronounced. The second type often does not cause unusual problems, because it develops gradually and very subtly over many years. Diagnosed only after the complications of diabetes are detected. 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 does it come from?
- Heredity. The tendency to diabetes is directly passed down through generations, and the manifestation of the disease can depend on other factors throughout life, which is the reason why diabetes does not appear in every generation. There are numerous examples of this behavior of diabetes in everyday life. It is known that children of parents should not suffer from diabetes. In addition, diabetes patients themselves are not always closely related to the occurrence of this disease or do not know the history of the diseases of their deceased predecessors.
- Other diseases and conditions. Unlike hereditary diabetes, there are diseases and conditions for which diabetes can also be diagnosed. Such diabetes is called secondary, because it develops as a direct effect of a real disease or as a result of a harmful effect on the functioning of the body. What causes diabetes mellitus? The occurrence of the disease is possible due to 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 a violation of the breakdown of glucose in the blood under the influence of the same causes that lead 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 high in sweets, fat intake and obesity, reduced physical activity, transition period (menopause) in men and women, frequent infections, colds and inflammation. Risk factors for the development of diabetes in a modern lifestyle include changes in the environment, lifestyle and nutrition (rural - urban), performing professional tasks that require a large mental load (stressful situations), having 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 include rheumatic diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, some drugs for kidney and skin diseases, and drugs used for various allergic diseases. Another group of drugs are products that affect blood pressure and better urination. In addition, oral contraceptives or birth control pills affect the behavior of blood sugar. There are other drugs and hormones that affect the onset of diabetes. However, all these drugs are known to medicine, and controlling their intake allows timely elimination of behavioral disorders of blood sugar.
Diabetes diagnosis
Diabetes mellitus is diagnosed in the laboratory. The doctor confirms (or denies) the diagnosis based on the following information:
- If the fasting blood glucose level is more than 7 mmol/l in two cases
- If blood glucose is more than 11. 1 mmol/L at any time of the day
- Your doctor may order a so-called glucose tolerance test (OGTT). This test measures fasting blood sugar and then a sugary liquid containing 75 grams of glucose dissolved in water after drinking a drink. Blood sugar measurement confirms the diagnosis of diabetes.
Blood glucose levels may be higher than normal (between 6-7 mmol/L glucose or 7. 8 to 11. 1 mmol/L 2 hours after a glucose tolerance test) and may even be below the level at which diabetes is diagnosed. Impaired glucose tolerance or prediabetes can be diagnosed.
How to treat diabetes?
Diabetes can be treated in several ways:
- insulin and diet;
- tablet drugs and diet;
- a diet;
- insulin combination therapy + pills (a very common method for type 2 and obesity, insulin and metformin are taken.
There are 5 main principles of diabetes treatment. 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 - advice on implementing 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 food intake appropriate for energy needs, optimal food composition, what can be eaten without restriction, foods high in simple sugars, cooking, and the effect of physical activity on energy expenditure.
Physical activity should become a habit. Your daily physical activity schedule should include:
- Walking at least 30 minutes a day.
- Use the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Walk or bike to work.
- When using transport, get off early and walk the rest of the way.
- Walk to shops and other facilities.
- Supervise children's physical activity.
- Clear snow and organize gardening.