Diabetes (lat. diabetes mellitus) is a chronic, incurable systemic metabolic disorder characterized by persistently high blood sugar levels. The reason for this is primarily hereditary factors, as well as reduced secretion of the insulin hormone or a decrease in its biological effects, or a combination of the two. This deficiency disrupts the body's carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism (which manifests itself in typical problems) and after a long time 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, the prevalence of which is constantly increasing (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 most often develops in the elderly 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 caused by certain infectious diseases. diseases.
Types of diabetes
Due to the different clinical picture, there are several forms (types) of diabetes today:
- Childhood diabetes (ages 0-14)
- Juvenile diabetes (15-24 year olds)
- Adult-onset diabetes (25-64 years)
- "senile" diabetes (from 65 to the end of life)
Expert doctors classify diabetes in their own way:
- Endocrine diabetes, combined with diseases of the endocrine glands (endocrine glands).
- Pancreatogenic diabetes (diabetes) associated with diseases of the pancreas.
- Iatrogenic diabetes, which occurs in children after the use of certain types of drugs.
- In patients with hepatic (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 in the pancreas (beta cells) produce little or no insulin. It can occur at any age, but is most common in children and young adults. Insulin is used from day one. A mandatory part of the treatment is strict self-control, diet and physical activity. You can read more about insulin therapy in the article about insulin.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form in Hungary and worldwide. The pancreas of the second type of patients produces insulin, but not in sufficient quantities, or the body creates resistance (immunity) to the insulin hormone. It occurs at all ages, but mostly in adults (over 40), the obese and the elderly. A modern lifestyle with a high daily pace is very favorable for this type of diabetes. Treatment is with diet or a combination of diet and oral antidiabetics. Medicinal teas are used as aids for all moderate physical activity. If this therapy does not show a positive result, they switch to insulin therapy and it is possible to use oral antidiabetics.
Diabetes during pregnancy (gestational)
This latent form of diabetes is associated with pregnancy, during which women's hormone balance changes, which can lead to insulin secretion disorders and, consequently, an increase in blood sugar levels. The risk group includes women over 25 who are overweight before pregnancy, especially those who have 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 lead to type 2 diabetes.
Symptoms of diabetes
The symptoms of diabetes are often invisible. The first signs of diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes, may seem minor and harmless to you, 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 experience any of the following signs and symptoms, see your doctor immediately.
- Excessive thirst and frequent urination are classic signs and symptoms of diabetes. In case of illness, excess sugar (glucose) accumulates in the blood. The kidneys have to work hard to filter out and absorb excess sugar. If your kidneys fail, the excess sugar is excreted from the tissues as a liquid in the urine. This causes more frequent urination, which can lead to dehydration. You 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, or the body's inability to function properly, because less sugar can be used for energy.
- Weight loss is both 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 their cells, which leads to constant hunger. The overall effect is potentially rapid weight loss, especially in 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 lead to eye damage. For most people, these early changes do not cause vision problems. However, if these changes do not last long, they can lead to vision loss and blindness.
- Slow wound healing or frequent infections. Doctors and patients have noticed that infections are more common if you have diabetes. However, scientists have not yet been able to explain the reason for this. It is possible that high blood sugar weakens 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. Excessive blood sugar can damage the nerves. You may experience 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 impair your ability to fight bacteria, increasing the risk of infection in your gums and the bones that hold your teeth in place. Teeth become loose and inflammation can occur, especially if you had a gum infection before you developed diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes usually develops quickly, so its symptoms are more pronounced. The second type often does not cause unusual problems because it develops gradually and very subtly over many years. It is diagnosed only after the complications of diabetes are detected. If you notice any possible early signs of diabetes, contact 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 passed directly to the offspring, and the manifestation of the disease may depend on other factors during life, and this is the reason why not all offspring develop diabetes. There are many examples of this behavior of diabetes in everyday life. It is well known that children of parents cannot suffer from diabetes. In addition, diabetics themselves are not always closely related to the occurrence of this disease, or do not know the history of diseases of deceased ancestors.
- Other diseases and conditions. In contrast to 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? The occurrence of the disease is possible in chronic alcoholism, chronic pancreatic diseases, various endocrine disorders (adrenal, pituitary, thyroid), obesity and other conditions. The occurrence of diabetes in these conditions and diseases is associated with the 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, a decrease in physical activity, the transition period of men and women (menopause), a tendency to frequent infections, colds and inflammation. It is also known that the risk factors for the development of diabetes in the modern lifestyle are changes in the environment, lifestyle and nutrition (rural - urban), the performance of professional tasks requiring high mental load (stressful situations), a large child (more than 4 kg)and others.
- Effects of certain medications. The first group of drugs that affect the external manifestation of diabetes include drugs used to treat rheumatic diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, some kidney and skin diseases, and various allergic diseases. Another group of medicines are products that improve blood pressure and urination. Also, oral contraceptives or birth control pills affect blood sugar levels. There are other drugs and hormones that affect the development of diabetes. But all these drugs are known to medical science, and controlling their intake makes it possible to eliminate behavioral disorders of blood sugar in a timely manner.
Diagnosis of diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is diagnosed in a laboratory. The doctor confirms (or denies) the diagnosis based on the following data:
- If the fasting blood sugar level exceeds 7 mmol / l in two cases
- If the blood sugar level exceeds 11. 1 mmol/l at any time during the day
- Your doctor may order a so-called glucose tolerance test (OGTT). This test measures your fasting blood sugar level and then after drinking a sugary liquid consisting of 75 grams of glucose dissolved in water. Measuring blood sugar confirms the diagnosis of diabetes.
Blood sugar levels can be higher than normal (6-7 mmol/l glucose, or between 7. 8 and 11. 1 mmol/l 2 hours after the glucose tolerance test) and even lower than those diagnosed with diabetes. Impaired glucose tolerance or prediabetes may be diagnosed.
How do we treat diabetes?
Diabetes can be treated in several ways:
- insulin and diet;
- pill medications and diet;
- a diet;
- combined insulin therapy + tablets (a very common way of taking insulin and metformin in the case of type 2 and obesity.
There are 5 basic principles of diabetes treatment. 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 complete absence of synthesis in the pancreas)
- physical status (fat, thin or normal weight)
Prevention of diabetes
Prevention of type 2 diabetes means an individual approach - advice on the implementation of simple measures that lead to lifestyle changes. You should change your diet, maintain physical activity, control your weight, stop smoking, and use medications only as directed by your doctor.
Changing the diet includes eating foods according to energy needs, optimal food composition, understanding foods that can be eaten without restrictions, foods high in simple sugars, food preparation, and the effect of physical activity on energy expenditure.
Physical activity should become a habit. Your daily physical activity schedule should include:
- Walk at least 30 minutes a day.
- Use the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Walking or cycling to work.
- If you use transport, get off early and walk the rest of the way.
- Walk to shops and other facilities.
- Supervise children's physical activity.
- Clear the snow and organize the gardening.