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 arise as a result of a deficiency of the hormone insulin and lead to the development of hyperglycemia - a persistent increase in blood sugar levels.
The disease is characterized by a chronic course and disruption of all types of metabolism: carbohydrates, fat, protein, minerals and water-salt. There are two types, each requiring its own approach.
How do I know if I have diabetes?
Of course, the most accurate diagnostic methods are various blood and urine tests. A one-time measurement of sugar levels is not enough, so if there is any suspicion, the doctor will definitely prescribe a series of tests to the patient.
What could cause such suspicions? The main symptoms are:
- Increased urine output caused by an increase in urine pressure due to glucose dissolved in it (normally there is no glucose in urine). Manifested by frequent, copious urination, even at night.
- Constant, unquenchable thirst is caused by significant water losses in the urine and increased osmotic pressure of the blood.
- Constant, insatiable hunger. This symptom is caused by a metabolic disorder in diabetes, namely the inability of cells to absorb and process glucose without insulin (starvation in the midst of excess).
- Weight loss (particularly typical of type 1 diabetes) is a common symptom of diabetes that develops despite patients' increased appetite.
Therefore, if you notice these symptoms, consult a doctor immediately!
What types of diabetes are there?
There are a number of classifications of diabetes mellitus according to various criteria. The main types of diabetes include diabetes types 1 and 2.
Type 1 diabetes is a disease in which the pancreas is unable to produce insulin, which is responsible for the body's absorption of sugar, the so-called insulin-dependent type. It is usually diagnosed in people under 30 years old. Such patients are forced to artificially administer insulin (through constant injections).
Type 2 diabetes accounts for 85-90% of all adult diabetes cases and occurs most commonly in people over 40 years of age; usually accompanied by obesity. For such patients, as well as for people whose family members have diabetes, it is particularly important to control their blood sugar levels.
To make matters worse, type 2 diabetes, unlike type 1 diabetes, occurs gradually. You can be sick for a long time and not even notice it. Often a person finds out about their 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 commonly inherited. The risk also increases with inflammation of the pancreatic tissue, after injuries and infections.
People whose parents had obesity and/or type 2 diabetes are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
How can you calculate whether you are at risk of developing diabetes? It is necessary to measure the waist and hip circumference and divide the first indicator by the second. If the resulting value is over 0. 95 for men and over 0. 85 for women, then 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 an excess of sugar in the blood; Penetrating into them, glucose is converted into substances that are toxic to these tissues. This leads to changes that disrupt the normal function of the organ, which has many small vessels and nerve endings. If the patient keeps his blood sugar within the acceptable range (6. 7-8. 0 mmol/l), there are no late diabetic complications.
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 lead to cataracts (clouding of the lens) and blindness (changes in the retina).
- Teeth – all diseases in the oral cavity develop at an accelerated rate due to a lack of blood supply. It is common for diabetes to be diagnosed in the dentist's office and the patient complains of swollen gums and loose teeth.
- Heart – affected by diabetes; Changes in the heart muscle, changes in the blood vessels due to high cholesterol levels lead to coronary artery disease.
- Liver – when diabetes is poorly compensated, its normal function is disrupted and the liver enlarges.
- The kidneys are directly affected by diabetes, resulting in diabetic nephropathy.
- reproductive system. Diabetes leads to impotence in men; In women, miscarriages, premature births and intrauterine fetal death are possible.
- The process of pregnancy and birth is very complicated for diabetics. Pregnant women with diabetes need 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 consequences are trophic ulcers, gangrene, loss of limbs. In addition, feet and nails are susceptible to fungal diseases.
- Joints are more susceptible to processes such as salt deposition than those of a healthy person; Diabetic joint changes are also possible.
- The circulatory system is directly affected by diabetes, which in turn is the cause of all of the diseases mentioned above. Blood pressure in diabetics is usually high. Note that smoking is an additional factor that promotes blood vessel damage in diabetes.
Therefore, it is important to understand that you can only live a fulfilling life if you control your diabetes and successfully compensate for it. In our country and around the world, many people not only live with diabetes, but also achieve outstanding successes: conquer mountain peaks, lead large organizations.
And there is no need to despair when you hear such a diagnosis; everything is in your hands!
Can diabetes be cured?
Unfortunately, scientists have not yet invented a remedy that can completely cure a diabetic. Currently, in most cases, treatment is symptomatic and is aimed at eliminating 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 case of sudden changes in blood sugar levels, how to avoid them, be able to independently control blood sugar levels and have a clear understanding of proper nutritionhave.
Should diabetes be treated?
Undoubtedly! It is important to understand that this disease will not go away on its own. The most important goal in treating diabetes is to constantly monitor blood sugar levels and maintain them at the level recommended by your doctor.
If a person with diabetes approaches this issue responsibly, his health status will be that of a healthy person. In addition, the future prognosis will be favorable in terms of complications, duration and quality of life.
Do you find it difficult to control your blood sugar levels?
In the modern world this is no longer a problem. While blood sugar could previously only be measured in the laboratory, this can now be easily done at home. There are high-precision blood glucose meters for measuring glucose. They are compact, very easy to use and specifically designed for self-measuring glucose levels. If necessary, you can check your sugar level at home, at work, while traveling, etc.
The entire process literally takes a few seconds and requires only a drop of blood. The test strip absorbs a drop and the result appears on the screen.
Prevent diabetes
You must remember that the best way to protect yourself is constant prevention, which you can do yourself:
- Active lifestyle and weight control. Diabetes is directly linked to obesity. Physical activity helps lower blood sugar levels and reduce insulin requirements.
- Proper nutrition. Eat foods rich in fiber, which normalize intestinal function and lower cholesterol levels. These products include all fruits and vegetables, legumes, dairy products, nuts and others.
- Refusal to excessive consumption of flour products, sweets, pasta and baked goods. Eat bread made only from 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 sugar levels regularly if you are over 40. A sugar test is also necessary for people who tend to be overweight and lead a sedentary lifestyle.