Diabetes mellitus (lat. Diabetes mellitus) is a chronic, incurable systemic metabolic disorder characterized by persistently high blood sugar levels. This is mainly due to hereditary factors and to reduced secretion or reduction in the biological action of the hormone insulin or a combination of both. This deficiency disrupts the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in the body (which manifests itself in typical problems) and over time impairs 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 an increasing prevalence (particularly 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 the elderly 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.
types of diabetes
Due to the different symptoms, there are several forms (types) of diabetes today:
- Childhood diabetes (0 to 14 years)
- Juvenile diabetes (15 to 24 years)
- Adult diabetes (25 to 64 years)
- "Senile" diabetes (from 65 to the end of life)
Specialists 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 taking 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 most common in children and young adults. Insulin is administered from day one. 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 is the most common form of diabetes in our country and around the world. The pancreas of people with the second type produces insulin, but in insufficient amounts, or the body creates resistance (immunity) to the hormone insulin. It occurs at any age, but is particularly prevalent in adults (over 40), the obese, and the elderly. The modern lifestyle with a high daily rhythm is very conducive to the development of this form 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 antidiabetic drugs.
Diabetes during pregnancy (pregnancy)
This latent form of diabetes is associated with pregnancy, during which women experience hormonal changes that can lead to insulin secretion disorders and thus to an increase in blood sugar levels. The risk group includes women over 25 who are 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 a woman, gestational diabetes can later become the cause of type 2 diabetes.
Symptoms of Diabetes
The symptoms of diabetes are often invisible. The first signs of diabetes, especially type 2, may seem minor and harmless if they appear at all. 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 you are sick, excess sugar (glucose) builds up in your blood. Your kidneys have to work hard to filter and absorb excess sugar. When your kidneys fail, the 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 in turn 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.
- Diabetes symptoms can sometimes include visual disturbances. High blood sugar draws fluid from tissues, including the eyes. This affects the ability to concentrate. Left untreated, diabetes can cause 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 wound healing or frequent infections. Doctors and patients have found that infections are more common when you have diabetes. However, the scientists have not yet been able to explain the reason for this. It's possible that high blood sugar levels impair the natural healing of wounds and the ability to fight infection. Bladder and vaginal infections are particularly common in women.
- Tingling in hands and feet. Excess blood sugar can damage nerves. You may notice tingling and numbness in your arms and legs, and painful burning sensations in your arms, legs, and feet.
- Red, swollen, sensitive gums. Diabetes can impair your ability to fight germs and increase 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 gingivitis before diabetes develops.
Type 1 diabetes usually develops quickly and therefore its symptoms are more pronounced. The second type often does not cause any unusual problems as it develops gradually and in a very subtle way over many years. It is diagnosed only after complications of diabetes are identified. If you notice possible early signs of diabetes, talk to your doctor. The disease is diagnosed earlier and treatment can start earlier.
4 causes of diabetes. Where does it come from?
- inheritance. The tendency to diabetes is passed directly to offspring, and the manifestation of the disease may also depend on other factors throughout life, which is why diabetes does not occur in every offspring. There are numerous examples of this behavior of diabetes in everyday life. It is well known that children of parents should not have diabetes. In addition, diabetics themselves are not always closely associated with the occurrence of this disease or do not know the history of the disease of deceased ancestors.
- Other Diseases and Conditions. Unlike hereditary diabetes mellitus, there are diseases and conditions that can also be diagnosed with diabetes. Such diabetes is called secondary because it develops under the direct influence of a real 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 diseases (adrenal, pituitary, thyroid), obesity and other diseases. The occurrence of diabetes in these conditions and diseases is associated with impaired 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 ascolds and inflammation. It is also known that risk factors for the development of diabetes in modern lifestyle include changes in the environment, lifestyle and diet (rural - urban), the performance of professional tasks that require a large psychological burden (stressful situations), the birth ofa 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 in rheumatic diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, some drugs for kidney and skin diseases, various allergic diseases. Another group of drugs are products that affect blood pressure and improve urination. In addition, oral contraceptives or birth control pills have an impact on blood sugar levels. There are other drugs and hormones that affect the onset of diabetes. But all these drugs are well known to medicine, and control of their intake allows timely elimination of behavioral disorders of blood sugar.
diagnosis of diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is diagnosed 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 more than 7 mmol / l
- When blood glucose is above 11. 1 mmol/L at any time of the day
- 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 sugary liquid consisting of 75 grams of glucose dissolved in water. Measuring blood sugar confirms the diagnosis of diabetes.
Blood glucose levels can 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 even lower than the level at which diabetes was diagnosed. A diagnosis of impaired glucose tolerance or prediabetes can be made.
How is diabetes treated?
Diabetes can be treated in a number of ways:
- insulin and nutrition;
- tablet medication and diet;
- a diet;
- Insulin combination therapy + pills (is a very common method in 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 (decrease in insulin production or the 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 - advice on the implementation of simple measures that lead to lifestyle changes. You must change your diet, exercise, control your weight, stop smoking, and take medications only as directed by your doctor.
Dietary change involves eating foods according to energy needs, optimal food composition, understanding what can be eaten without restrictions, foods high in simple sugars, cooking foods, and the impact of physical activity on energy expenditure.
Physical activity should become a habit. Your daily physical activity schedule should include:
- At least 30 minutes walk per day.
- Use the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Walk or bike to work.
- If using public transport, get off early and walk the rest of the street.
- Walk to shops and other facilities.
- Supervise children in their physical activities.
- Clear snow and organize gardening.