Diabetes Mellitus is a group of endocrine diseases that develop due to the disruption of glucose absorption processes and is chronic.According to Kim's calculations, about half a billion people worldwide suffer from this pathology.Correct and timely treatment of diabetic patients is very important for patients.It does not relieve the disease, but it allows one to prevent severe complications and alleviate the symptoms, thereby ensuring a normal quality of life.
To be the cause
Simply put, the causes of diabetes can be described as a decrease in the sensitivity of cells to the hormone insulin or a violation of its secretion.
The pancreas synthesizes insulin, which maintains the desired level of sugar in the blood and ensures the delivery of glucose to the cells of almost all tissues of the body.
Metabolic processes are disturbed in diabetes.Either the cells in the pancreas no longer make enough insulin (type 1) or the body cannot use it properly (type 2).As a result, instead of entering the cells, glucose accumulates in the blood and urine.The patient experiences hyperglycemia and glycosuria, respectively.
Diabetes Mellitus is one of the multifactorial diseases.Its occurrence can be caused by:
- viral diseases;
- poor nutrition;
- physical inactivity;
- excess weight, especially in the stage of obesity;
- age-related changes;
- alcohol, overeating;
- uncontrolled use of drugs;
- hypertension;
- other endocrine pathologies;
- pancreatic injuries;
- Effects of stress.
The probability of developing the disease in the presence of one or more inciting factors depends on the hereditary predisposition.
Symptoms of diabetes
Specific symptoms of the disease include:
- frequent urination (polyuria).In diabetes mellitus, urine is released in large volumes, but painlessly and mainly during the day;
- constant thirst caused by dehydration;
- Appetite that may manifest itself in attacks at the beginning of the disease.Patients generally gravitate to sweet foods that contain simple carbohydrates;
- Weight change.Due to excessive appetite, patients often lose weight as a result of increased patabolism of proteins and fats.
Diabetes Mellitus is accompanied by other symptoms:
- decreased visual acuity;
- numbness of hands and feet;
- drowsiness (especially during the day), weakness, severe fatigue and sweating even with the slightest effort;
- skin problems (itching, non-healing wounds, the appearance of dark spots on certain areas of the body);
- Dry mouth, gingivitis, tooth decay.
In the first type, insulin deficiency develops quickly and the listed symptoms increase rapidly and are not noticeable.In patients with type 2, the disease may be asymptomatic for a long time, and even the visible signs may not be so pronounced.Therefore, the second variant of the disease is often detected several years after the onset.
The patient may not show all symptoms, but only 2-3 of them.In addition, the symptoms of hyperglycemia may bother him only at a certain stage of the disease, and then the body adapts to the increased sugar and these sensations disappear.Therefore, it is important to conduct a special diagnosis at the first signs of diabetes.
Types of diabetes
Diabetes Mellitus is not a single disease, but a group of pathological conditions.The international classification includes several types, but most patients are diagnosed with type 1 or 2 disease.Generalized diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy and can threaten the health of the woman and the child, is also common.
Diabetes mellitus type 1
Type 1 diabetes begins when the pancreas stops producing insulin due to the destruction of beta cells.Therefore, absolute deficiency of this hormone occurs in the body, carbohydrate metabolism is disturbed, and then other metabolic processes suffer.The disease usually begins before the age of 30, often in childhood or adolescence.
This type of disease is determined genetically, and the development of the pathology occurs under the influence of external factors acting on the immune system.
Diabetes mellitus type 2
Type 2 diabetes is more commonly diagnosed than type 1.The mechanism of its formation is different: the pancreas still produces insulin, but glucose does not enter the cells due to sensitivity to the hormone.Its amount in the blood remains at a constant high level.This condition is called insulin resistance.
The disease usually develops after 40-45 years, often in adults.Being overweight is very important for the occurrence of the disease: according to statistics, it is typical for more than 80% of patients with this diagnosis.With the presence of this factor, it is more likely that a genetic predisposition will be realized because of a defect in insulin receptors due to excess fat mass.
In people who are not overweight, insulin resistance is caused by other causes, endocrine and some other diseases.
Gestational diabetes
This pathology occurs in pregnant women due to a decrease in glucose tolerance.This is an intermediate state between normal and diabetes, which usually goes away after delivery.It should be distinguished from the main manifestation of type 1 or 2 detected during pregnancy.
Women at risk:
- overweight;
- over 30 years old;
- the presence of severe toxicosis and gestosis, chronic childbirth, childbirth, chronic malformations in children during the previous pregnancy;
- suffers from cardiovascular and endocrine diseases.
Diabetes in pregnant women can start without these factors.
This pathology poses a threat to women and children, causing even life-threatening conditions.Risks and possible complications can be avoided by keeping your sugar levels under control.
Risk factors
Numerous studies directly link the likelihood of developing the disease with a genetic predisposition.If one of the parents has type 1 diabetes, there is a 5% chance of inheriting the disease;If both parents are sick, it increases to 20%.For a person whose parents have type 2 disease, the probability of acquiring the disease is about 80%, and approaches 100% in the presence of obesity.
If you have direct relatives with diabetes, if you consider the risk factors and take preventive measures, you can prevent the realization of the hereditary tendency.
Visceral obesity is one of the main factors that provoke the development of diabetes.Excess weight is caused by a poor diet with a high consumption of simple carbohydrates, lack of physical activity, certain drugs and hormonal disorders (such as excess androgens).According to international standards, visceral obesity is diagnosed when the waist circumference is more than 80 cm in women and more than 94 cm in men.
Other lifestyle factors include smoking, alcohol abuse, and chronic exposure to stress.
Other diseases
At risk are women with polycystic ovary syndrome, as well as sexually active people with cardiovascular and endocrine diseases.
Age
All other things being equal, people over the age of 45 have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Diagnostic methods
The most reliable way to diagnose diabetes is a laboratory test.The first thing that allows you to avoid suspecting the presence of a disease is that your blood sugar is higher than normal (6.1-7.0 mmol / l on an empty stomach and 11.1 mmol / l 2 hours after eating).If the results are in doubt, an additional glucose tolerance test is performed;Helps identify prediabetes.
During the examination, the insulin resistance index, the urine glucose index, the presence of insulin are also checked, and tests for insulin and c-peptide are performed, which allow to evaluate the activity of β cells and the volume of insulin.
In especially atypical cases, a blood test for antibodies to β cells is prescribed to diagnose type 1 diabetes.
The patient can also be referred to specialists (cardiologist, ophthalmologist) to prevent complications.
It is better to undergo a complete examination in a medical institution where you can quickly test and receive medical advice.The modern medical center created conditions for quick and high-quality examination of patients.The technical equipment of the Medical Center allows for the necessary research, and the clinic employs experienced doctors who will prescribe treatment and clarify any questions that may arise.
Treatment of diabetes
No method has yet been found to completely get rid of this disease.Treatment aims to stabilize the patient's condition, relieve symptoms and prevent complications.If all recommendations are followed, patients with diabetes can minimize the impact of the disease on their daily life.
Drug treatment may include insulin therapy or oral medications that lower blood sugar.For patients with type 1 diabetes, insulin solves the problem of compensation of diabetes mellitus, carbohydrate metabolism and prevents the development of hypo and hyperglycemia.In the second type, it is determined due to the ineffectiveness of other measures, as well as due to the indications (for example, during pregnancy, significant reduction of body weight, significant reduction of certain complications.
Antihyperglycemic drugs are prescribed to the second type of patients.This group includes products with different operating principles:
- increasing insulin secretion;
- Increase insulin sensitivity;
- reduce the absorption of carbohydrates and others;
They work differently, but ultimately help restore normal blood glucose levels.
It is the doctor's responsibility to determine the treatment program, to choose a drug or their combination.You can get an appointment with a local therapist at the clinic or an endocrinologist at the clinic without applying for a fee.You can make an appointment for a consultation online or by phone.
Other treatment methods are used in combination with drugs:
- diet (diet for diabetes mellitus necessarily limits carbohydrates),
- possible physical activity,
- Compensation for deficiencies of vitamins and trace elements,
- regular monitoring of sugar level.
If complications or elective diseases occur, appropriate treatment is additionally prescribed.Surgical methods (bariatrics) are also used in the treatment of diabetes if other measures are effective enough.
Possible complications
Carbohydrate metabolism disorder in diabetes mellitus affects the entire body, but the disease has the most destructive effect on blood vessels.
Common diabetic complications:
- retinal detachment;
- kidney failure;
- neuropathy;
- Atherosclerosis, which causes many serious problems, including angina, heart attacks and strokes.
The disease has a negative effect on the immune system, which causes pathologies of the skin and joints.
The most serious complication is diabetic coma.This condition can be caused by too high or too low sugar levels.In such cases, the patient needs emergency medical resuscitation.
Prevention of pathology
Measures to prevent Diabetes Mellitus coincide with general recommendations to maintain health and prevent disease.People with a genetic predisposition should observe them especially carefully:
- an active lifestyle and weight control;
- Reduce the consumption of fast carbohydrates, (baked goods, sweets, etc.) Eat properly;
- giving up bad habits (smoking, regular alcohol consumption);
- avoid unnecessary stress;
- After age 40, check your blood sugar levels every year.
In order not to miss the development of diabetes, to identify it at an early stage and to help your body, it is important not to hesitate to follow the warning signs and consult a doctor.