Diabetes. . . Many have heard this word and know that "this disease is related to some kind of sugar". Some people are afraid of getting sick and some don't care.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus is a group of endocrine diseases that develop as a result of a deficiency of the hormone insulin, resulting in the development of hyperglycemia - a continuous increase in the level of glucose in the blood.
The disease is characterized by a chronic course and a violation of all types of metabolism: carbohydrate, fat, protein, mineral and water-salt. There are 2 types, each requiring a separate approach.
How do I know if I have diabetes?
Of course, the most accurate diagnostic methods are various blood and urine tests. It is not enough to measure your sugar level once, so if there is any doubt, the doctor will definitely prescribe a series of tests for the patient to undergo.
What can cause such doubts? The main symptoms are:
- Increased urinary output due to increased urinary pressure due to glucose dissolved in the urine (normally there is no glucose in the urine). It manifests itself with frequent, abundant urination, including at night.
- Constant unquenchable thirst is caused by a significant loss of water in the urine and an increase in the osmotic pressure of the blood.
- Constant insatiable hunger. This symptom is due to the metabolic disorder in diabetes, that is, the inability of cells to absorb and process glucose in the absence of insulin (starvation in the midst of plenty).
- Weight loss (especially characteristic of type 1 diabetes) is a common symptom of diabetes that develops despite the increased appetite of patients.
Therefore, if you notice these symptoms, see a doctor immediately!
What types of diabetes are there?
There are several classifications of diabetes mellitus according to different criteria. The main types of diabetes include type 1 and type 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 younger than 30 years old. Such patients must take insulin artificially (through regular injections).
Type 2 diabetes accounts for 85-90% of all diabetes cases in adults and is most common in people over the age of 40; usually accompanied by obesity. It is especially important for such patients, as well as people who have a family member with diabetes, to monitor their blood sugar levels.
The situation is complicated by the gradual appearance of type 2 diabetes, unlike type 1 diabetes. You can be sick for a long time and not even realize it. Often, a person accidentally learns about his disease during an examination for a completely different reason.
Is there a risk group?
Yes, of course it is. Type 1 diabetes is mostly inherited. The risk also increases with inflammation of the pancreatic tissue after injuries and infections.
People who are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes are people whose parents have obesity and/or type 2 diabetes.
How to calculate the risk of developing diabetes? It is necessary to measure the waist circumference and the hip circumference, and divide the first indicator by the second. If the obtained value is more 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 peripheral nervous system. The walls of blood vessels and nerves suffer from excess sugar in the blood; penetrating them, glucose turns into toxic substances for these tissues. As a result, there are changes that disrupt the normal functioning of the organ with many small vessels and nerve endings. If the patient keeps blood sugar within acceptable values (6, 7-8, 0 mmol/l), late diabetic complications do not occur.
The negative effects of diabetes have a strong effect 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 in the oral cavity develop rapidly due to lack of blood supply. There are often cases where diabetes is detected in the dentist's office, where the patient comes with complaints of swollen gums and loose teeth.
- Heart - affected by diabetes; changes in heart muscle, changes in blood vessels due to high cholesterol cause coronary artery disease.
- Liver - when diabetes is poorly compensated, its normal function is disturbed and the liver enlarges.
- Kidneys are directly affected by diabetes, resulting in diabetic nephropathy.
- Reproductive system. In men, diabetes leads to impotence in women, miscarriage, premature birth and intrauterine fetal death are possible.
- The process of pregnancy and childbirth is very complicated for women with diabetes. Pregnant women suffering from diabetes mellitus require the mandatory supervision of two specialists - an endocrinologist and an obstetrician-gynecologist.
- Legs and feet - suffer from diabetes due to damage to blood vessels and nerves. Possible consequences are trophic ulcers, gangrene, loss of limbs. In addition, feet and nails are susceptible to fungal diseases.
- Joints are more sensitive to processes such as salt deposition than a healthy person; In addition, diabetic changes in the joints are possible.
- The circulatory system is directly affected by diabetes, which initiates all of the above diseases. Diabetic patients usually have high blood pressure. It should be noted that smoking is an additional factor that stimulates damage to blood vessels in diabetes.
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 around the world, many people not only live with diabetes, but also achieve outstanding success: they conquer mountain peaks, lead large organizations.
And if you hear such a diagnosis, there is no need to despair;
Can we cure diabetes?
Unfortunately, scientists have not invented a remedy that can completely cure diabetes. At present, its treatment is mostly symptomatic and aimed at eliminating the symptoms without eliminating the cause of the disease.
Patient education plays a very important role in diabetes compensation. The patient should have a clear understanding of what diabetes is, why it is dangerous, what to do in case of sudden changes in blood sugar levels, how to protect against them, be able to independently control blood glucose levels, and have a clear understanding of proper nutrition.
Should diabetes be treated?
Of course! It is important to understand that this disease will not go away on its own. The most important goal in treating diabetes is to keep your blood sugar under control and at the level recommended by your doctor.
If a diabetic patient approaches this issue responsibly, his health will be the same as the health of a healthy person. Moreover, the future prognosis in terms of complications, duration and quality of life will be favorable.
Is it difficult to manage your blood glucose levels?
In today's world, this is no longer a problem. If previously it was possible to measure blood sugar only in the laboratory, now it is very easy to do it at home. There are high-precision glucometers for measuring glucose. They are compact, very easy to use and specially designed for self-monitoring of glucose levels. If necessary, monitor your sugar level at home, at work, while traveling, etc. you can learn.
The whole process literally takes seconds and only requires a drop of blood. The test strip draws a drop and the result appears on the screen.
Prevention of 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. Eating foods rich in dietary fiber, which normalizes bowel function and lowers cholesterol levels. These products include all fruits and vegetables, legumes, dairy products, nuts, etc.
- Rejection of excessive consumption of flour products, sweets, pasta and bakery products. Eat only whole grain bread.
- 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.
- If you are over 40, check your blood glucose levels regularly. People who are prone to obesity and lead a sedentary lifestyle should also undergo a sugar test.