Diabetes mellitus (lat. Diabetes mellitus) is an incurable chronic systemic metabolic disorder characterized by persistently high blood glucose levels. This is mainly due to hereditary factors and is due to a reduction in secretion or a reduction in the biological effect of the hormone insulin or a combination of both. This deficiency disrupts the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in the body (which is indicated by typical problems), and after a long period of time affects the structure and function of blood vessels, nerves and vital organs and other organ 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 an increase in the number of external etiological factors, among which obesity stands out.
Diabetes is most common in older people as a result of general 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 due to certain infections. disease.
Types of Diabetes
Due to the different clinical picture, today there are several forms (types) of diabetes:
- Childhood diabetes (0 to 14 years)
- Juvenile diabetes (15 to 24 years)
- Adult diabetes (25 to 64 years)
- "senile" diabetes (from 65 until the end of life)
Specialist doctors classify diabetes in their own way:
- Endocrine diabetes, combined with diseases of the endocrine glands (endocrine glands).
- Pancreatogenic diabetes associated with pancreatic disease (diabetes).
- Iatrogenic diabetes, which occurs in children after the use of certain types of drugs.
- Hepatic diabetes mellitus (hematogenous), 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 very little or no insulin. It can occur at any age, but is most often seen in children and young adults. Insulin is used from day one. Strict self-control, diet and physical activity are a mandatory 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 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), obese and elderly. A modern lifestyle with a high daily rate 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 tea is used as an aid in all cases of moderate physical activity. If this therapy does not show positive results, they turn to insulin therapy, with the possibility of using oral antidiabetic agents.
Diabetes during pregnancy (gestational)
This latent form of diabetes is associated with pregnancy, where there are changes in the hormonal balance in women, which can cause disruptions in insulin secretion and, as a result, an increase in blood glucose levels. The risk group includes women over 25 who were overweight before pregnancy, especially those with a genetic predisposition to developing the disease. Blood sugar levels usually stabilize after the baby is born. However, in women, gestational diabetes may 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 to you, if they appear at all. You can have diabetes for months or even years and not see the signs.
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) accumulates in the 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 a 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 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 cells, which leads to constant hunger. The overall effect is potential 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 do not persist for a long time, they can cause vision loss and blindness.
- Slow-healing 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 why. It is possible that high blood sugar levels weaken the natural healing of wounds and the ability to fight infection. In women, bladder and vaginal infections are common.
- Tingling in hands and feet. Excess blood sugar can damage nerves. You may notice tingling and numbness in your arms and legs, as well as a painful burning sensation in your arms, legs and feet.
- Red, swollen, sensitive gums. Diabetes can affect the ability to fight germs, increasing the risk of infection in the gums and bone that hold teeth in place. Teeth become loose and inflammation can occur, especially if you had a gum infection before diabetes developed.
Type 1 diabetes usually develops quickly, and therefore the symptoms are more noticeable. The second type usually does not cause any unusual problems because it develops gradually and in a very subtle way over many years. It is diagnosed only after complications of diabetes are detected. If you notice any early signs of diabetes, talk to your doctor. This condition is diagnosed early and treatment can be started earlier.
4 causes of diabetes. what does it come from?
- Ancestry. The tendency to diabetes is passed directly to the offspring, and the manifestation of the disease can also depend on other factors during life, and this is why diabetes does not appear in every offspring. There are many examples of this diabetic behavior in everyday life. It is known that children of parents should not suffer from diabetes. In addition, people with diabetes themselves are not always closely related to the occurrence of this disease, or do not know the history of the disease of the deceased predecessor.
- Diseases and other 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 harmful effect on the body's functions. What causes diabetes mellitus? The occurrence of this disease is possible with chronic alcoholism, chronic pancreatic disease, various endocrine disorders (adrenal gland, pituitary gland, thyroid gland), obesity and other conditions. The occurrence of diabetes in this condition and disease is associated with impaired breakdown of glucose in the blood under the influence of the same cause that leads to the development of this disease or condition.
- Additional risk factors. In addition to the transmission of hereditary diseases, there are other causes of diabetes, such as a diet high in sweets, fat intake and obesity, decreased physical activity, the transition period in men and women (menopause), a tendency to frequent infections, colds and inflammation. It is also known that risk factors for the development of diabetes in a modern lifestyle include changes in the environment, lifestyle and diet (rural - urban), the performance of professional tasks that require a large mental load (stressful situations), the birth of large children (more than4 kg) and others.
- Effects of certain medications. The first group of drugs that can affect the external manifestations 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 by medicine and the control of their intake allows timely elimination of blood sugar behavior disorders.
Diabetes diagnosis
Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is carried out in the laboratory. The doctor confirms (or denies) the diagnosis based on the following data:
- If in two cases the level of fasting blood glucose is more than 7 mmol / l
- If blood glucose at any time during the day exceeds 11. 1 mmol/L
- Your doctor may order what is called a glucose tolerance test (OGTT). This test measures fasting blood sugar and then, after drinking a drink, a sweet 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 lower than the level diagnosed with diabetes. 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 and diet drugs;
- a diet;
- combination therapy of insulin + pills (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.
Treatment options depend on:
- age (children and young adults are always given insulin and diet)
- disease complexity (decreased insulin production or complete absence 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 steps that will lead to lifestyle changes. You need to change your diet, maintain physical activity, control your weight, stop smoking, and use medications only as directed by your doctor.
Changing the diet involves consuming food according to energy needs, optimal food composition, understanding what can be eaten without restrictions, foods high in simple sugars, cooking food, the effect of physical activity on energy expenditure.
Physical activity should be a habit. Your daily physical activity schedule should include:
- At least 30 minutes of walking every day.
- Use the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Walk or bike to work.
- When using transport, get off early and walk along the road.
- Walking distance to shops and other amenities.
- Supervise children in their physical activities.
- Clear the snow and organize gardening.