Diabetes mellitus (from the lat. Diabetes mellitus) is a chronic, incurable systemic metabolic disorder characterized by persistently high blood glucose levels. This is mainly due to hereditary factors and due to reduced secretion or reduced 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 affects the structure and function of blood vessels, nerves and other organs and organ systems. vital.
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 more common in older people as a result of widespread 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 pancreas as a result of certain infectious diseases. . diseases.
types of diabetes
Due to the different clinical picture, 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)
Expert doctors 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 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 the cells of the pancreas (beta cells) produce too 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-monitoring, 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 amounts, or the body develops resistance (immunity) to the hormone insulin. It occurs in all ages, but especially in adults (over 40 years old), obese and elderly. The 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. The infusions are used as an aid in all cases of moderate physical activity. If this therapy does not show positive results, it is switched to insulin therapy, with the possibility of using oral antidiabetic agents.
Diabetes during pregnancy (gestational)
This latent form of diabetes is associated with pregnancy, during which there is a change in the hormonal balance of women, which can cause alterations in insulin secretion and, consequently, an increase in blood glucose levels. The risk group includes women over 25 years of age who are overweight before pregnancy, especially 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.
Diabetes symptoms
The symptoms of diabetes are often invisible. The early 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. If your kidneys fail, excess sugar is excreted in your urine as fluid from your 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 into their cells, causing 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 do not continue for a long time, they can lead to vision loss and blindness.
- Slow healing of wounds 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. High blood sugar levels may weaken natural wound healing and the ability to fight infection. In women, infections of the bladder and vagina are especially common.
- Tingling in hands and feet. Too much 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 affect your ability to fight germs, increasing the risk of infection of your gums and the bones that hold your 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 and therefore its symptoms are more pronounced. The second type often does not cause any unusual problems because it develops gradually and very subtly over many years. It is diagnosed only after complications of diabetes are detected. If you notice any possible 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 of diabetes is directly transmitted to the offspring, and the manifestation of the disease may also depend on other factors throughout life, so diabetes does not appear in all offspring. There are numerous examples of this behavior of diabetes in everyday life. It is known that the children of the 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 harmful 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 occurrence of diabetes in these conditions and diseases is associated with impaired decomposition 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 high in sweets, fat intake and obesity, decreased physical activity, the transition period in men and women (menopause), tendency to frequent infections , colds and inflammation. It is also known that 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 high mental load (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 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 improve urination. Also, oral contraceptives, or birth control pills, have an effect on the behavior of blood sugar. There are other drugs and hormones that affect the onset of diabetes. But all these drugs are known to medicine, and control of their intake allows timely elimination of blood sugar behavior disorders.
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 glucose level is greater than 7 mmol/l
- If blood glucose at any time during the day is greater than 11. 1 mmol/L
- Your doctor may order a so-called 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. Measurement of blood sugar confirms the diagnosis of diabetes.
Blood glucose levels may be higher than normal (6 to 7 mmol/L glucose, or 7. 8 to 11. 1 mmol/L 2 hours after a glucose tolerance test) and even higher lower than the level at which diabetes was 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;
- tablet and diet medications;
- a diet;
- Combined insulin + pill therapy (it is a very common form for type 2 and obesity, insulin and metformin are taken.
There are 5 basic principles for the control of diabetes. 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 involves an individual approach - advice on the implementation of simple measures that will lead to changes in lifestyle. You should change your diet, be physically active, control your body weight, stop smoking, and use medications only as directed by your doctor.
Changing diet involves eating foods according to energy needs, optimal food composition, understanding what can be eaten without restrictions, foods high in simple sugars, cooking foods, impact of physical activity on energy expenditure .
Physical activity must 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.
- Walk or bike 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.
- Shovel snow and organize gardening.