Diabetes. . . Many have heard this word and know that "this disease is somehow related to sugar. "Some people are afraid of getting sick, others don't care.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus is a group of endocrine diseases that develop as a result of insufficiency of the hormone insulin, resulting in the development of hyperglycemia - a persistent increase in blood glucose levels.
The disease is characterized by chronic course and disruption of all types of metabolism: carbohydrate, fat, protein, mineral and water-salt. There are 2 types, each of which requires a separate approach.
How do I know if I have diabetes?
Naturally, the most accurate diagnostic methods are various blood and urine tests. Measuring the sugar level once is not enough, so if there is any suspicion, the doctor will definitely prescribe a series of tests for the patient to undergo.
What could cause such suspicions? The main symptoms are:
- Increased urine production caused by an increase in urine pressure due to glucose dissolved in it (normally there is no glucose in urine). It manifests itself as frequent and abundant urination, including at night.
- Constant and insatiable thirst is caused by significant loss of water in the urine and increased blood osmotic pressure.
- Constant and insatiable hunger. This symptom is caused by a metabolic disorder in diabetes, namely the inability of cells to absorb and process glucose in the absence of insulin (hunger in the midst of abundance).
- Weight loss (especially typical of type 1 diabetes) is a common symptom of diabetes, which develops despite patients' increased appetite.
Therefore, if you notice these symptoms, consult a doctor immediately!
What are the types of diabetes?
There are several classifications of diabetes mellitus according to various criteria. The main types of diabetes include types 1 and 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is a disease in which the pancreas cannot produce insulin, which is responsible for the absorption of sugar by the body, the so-called insulin-dependent type. As a rule, it is diagnosed in people under 30 years of age. These patients are forced to receive insulin artificially (through constant injections).
Type 2 diabetes accounts for 85-90% of all cases of diabetes in adults and is most common among people over 40 years of age; usually accompanied by obesity. It is especially important for these patients, as well as people who have a family member with diabetes, to control their blood sugar levels.
The situation is complicated by the fact that, unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes appears gradually. You can be sick for a long time and not even realize it. Often a person finds out about his illness by chance, during an examination for a completely different reason.
Is there a risk group?
Yes, of course it is. Type 1 diabetes is most often inherited. The risk also increases with inflammation of the pancreatic tissue, after injuries and infections.
People at risk of developing type 2 diabetes are those whose parents had obesity and/or type 2 diabetes.
How to calculate if you are at risk of developing diabetes? It is necessary to measure the waist and hip circumference, divide the first indicator by the second. If the resulting value is greater than 0. 95 for men and 0. 85 for women, you are at risk.
What complications does diabetes cause?
The main cause of chronic complications in diabetes is damage to small blood vessels and the peripheral nervous system. The walls of blood vessels and nerves suffer from excess blood sugar; penetrating them, glucose is converted into substances that are toxic to these tissues. As a result, changes occur that disrupt the normal functioning of the organ, which has many small vessels and nerve endings. If the patient maintains blood glucose within acceptable values (6. 7-8. 0 mmol/l), late diabetic complications will not occur.
The negative effects of diabetes have a strong impact on some organs and less on others, for example:
- Eyes - the retina is affected, diabetes can cause cataracts (clouding of the lens) and blindness (changes in the retina).
- Teeth - all diseases of the oral cavity develop at a rapid pace due to lack of blood supply. There are often cases where diabetes is detected at the dentist's office, where the patient arrives with complaints of swollen gums and loose teeth.
- Heart – affected by diabetes; changes in heart muscle, changes in blood vessels due to high cholesterol lead to coronary heart disease.
- Liver - when diabetes is poorly compensated, its normal functioning is disturbed and the liver enlarges.
- The kidneys are directly affected by diabetes, resulting in diabetic nephropathy.
- Reproductive system. Diabetes in men leads to impotence in women, which can lead to spontaneous abortions, premature birth and intrauterine fetal death.
- The pregnancy and birth process is very complicated for diabetic women. Pregnant women with diabetes mellitus require mandatory supervision by two specialists - an endocrinologist and an obstetrician.
- Legs and feet - suffer from diabetes due to damage to blood vessels and nerves. Possible results are trophic ulcers, gangrene, loss of limbs. Additionally, feet and nails are susceptible to fungal diseases.
- Joints are more susceptible to processes such as salt deposition than those of a healthy person; in addition, diabetic changes in the joints are possible.
- The circulatory system is directly affected by diabetes, which in turn initiates all of the above diseases. Blood pressure in diabetics is usually high. Note that an additional factor that encourages blood vessel damage in diabetes is smoking.
Therefore, it is important to understand that only by controlling diabetes and successfully compensating for it can you live a full life. In our country, as well as throughout the world, many people not only live with diabetes, but also achieve remarkable success: they conquer mountain peaks, lead large organizations.
And don't despair if you hear this diagnosis, everything is in your hands!
Can we cure diabetes?
Unfortunately, scientists have not yet invented a medicine that can completely cure a diabetic patient. Currently, its treatment in most cases is symptomatic and aims to eliminate the symptoms without eliminating the cause of the disease.
Patient education plays a very important role in diabetes compensation. The patient must understand what diabetes mellitus is, why it is dangerous, what to do in cases of sudden changes in blood sugar levels, how to avoid them, be able to independently control blood glucose levels andhave a clear understanding of proper nutrition.
Should diabetes be treated?
Undoubtedly! It is important to understand that this disease does not go away on its own. The most important goal in treating diabetes is to constantly monitor your blood sugar levels and maintain them at the level recommended by your doctor.
If a person with diabetes approaches this issue responsibly, his health will be the same as that of a healthy person. Furthermore, the future prognosis in terms of complications, duration and quality of life will be favorable.
Is it difficult to control your blood glucose levels?
In the modern world this is no longer a problem. If before blood sugar could only be measured in the laboratory, now it is very easy to do it at home. To measure glucose, there are high-precision glucometers. They are compact, very easy to use and specifically designed for self-measurement of glucose levels. If necessary, you can find out your sugar level at home, at work, while traveling, etc.
The entire process literally takes a few seconds and requires just a drop of blood. The test strip drips a drop and the result appears on the screen.
Preventing diabetes
It is important to remember that the best way to protect yourself is constant prevention, which you can do yourself:
- Active lifestyle and weight control. Diabetes is directly related to obesity. Physical activity helps lower blood sugar and reduces the need for insulin.
- Proper nutrition. Eat foods rich in dietary fiber, which normalize intestinal function and reduce cholesterol levels. These products include all fruits and vegetables, legumes, dairy products, nuts and others.
- Refusal of excessive consumption of flour products, sweets, pasta and baked goods. Eat bread made only with whole grains.
- Avoid stress and don't smoke. One of the causes of diabetes is stress and anxiety. Stress and smoking reduce the body's resistance to diabetes.
- Monitor your blood glucose levels regularly if you are over 40 years of age. It is also necessary to take a sugar test for those who tend to be obese and lead a sedentary lifestyle.