Diabetes mellitus is a group of endocrine diseases that develop due to disruption of glucose absorption processes and are chronic. According to WHO estimates, around half a billion people worldwide suffer from this pathology. Correct and timely treatment of diabetes mellitus is very important for patients. This does not lead to complete relief from the disease, but it helps to avoid serious complications and alleviate symptoms, ensuring a normal quality of life.
Causes
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 sugar level in the blood and ensures the supply of glucose to the cells of almost all tissues in the body.
In diabetes, metabolic processes are disrupted. Either the cells of the pancreas no longer produce enough insulin (type 1), or the body cannot use it properly (type 2). As a result, glucose, instead of entering cells, accumulates in the blood and urine. The patient presents with hyperglycemia and glycosuria, respectively.
Diabetes mellitus is one of the multifactorial diseases. Its appearance can be triggered by:
- viral diseases;
- poor diet;
- physical inactivity;
- excess weight, especially at the stage of obesity;
- age-related changes;
- drinking alcohol, overeating;
- uncontrolled use of medications;
- hypertension;
- other endocrine pathologies;
- injuries to the pancreas;
- impact of stress.
The likelihood of developing the disease in the presence of one or more provoking factors depends on the hereditary predisposition.
Diabetes Symptoms
Specific symptoms of the disease include:
- frequent urination (polyuria). In diabetes mellitus, urine is released in large quantities, but painlessly and mainly during the day;
- constant thirst caused by dehydration;
- increased appetite, which at the beginning of the disease can manifest itself in attacks. Patients are generally attracted to sweet foods composed of simple carbohydrates;
- weight change. Due to excessive appetite, patients often lose weight due to increased catabolism 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 increased sweating even with minor exertion;
- skin problems (itching, non-healing sores, appearance of dark bumps on certain areas of the body);
- dry mouth, inflammation of the gums, deterioration of teeth.
In the first type, insulin deficiency develops quickly and the listed symptoms increase rapidly and are difficult to ignore. In patients with type 2, the disease may remain asymptomatic for a long time, and even the signs that appear indicating it may not be as pronounced. Therefore, the second variant of the disease is often detected several years after its onset.
The patient may not have all the signs, but only 2-3 of them. In addition, the symptoms of hyperglycemia may only bother it at a certain stage of the disease, then the body seems to adapt to the increase in sugar and these sensations disappear. Therefore, at the first signs of diabetes, it is important to make a special diagnosis.
Types of diabetes
Diabetes mellitus is not a single disease, but a group of pathological conditions. The international classification contains several types, but most patients are diagnosed with type 1 or 2 disease. Gestational diabetes is also common. It occurs during pregnancy and can threaten the health of the woman and child.
Type 1 diabetes mellitus
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas stops producing insulin due to the destruction of beta cells. Due to this, an absolute deficiency of this hormone occurs in the body, carbohydrate metabolism is disrupted, and then other metabolic processes suffer. The disease generally begins before age 30, often during childhood or adolescence.
This type of disease is genetically determined, and the development of pathology occurs under the influence of external factors acting on the immune system.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed much more often than type 1 diabetes. The mechanism of its occurrence is different: the pancreas still generates insulin, but glucose does not enter the cells due to impaired sensitivityto the hormone. Its quantity in the blood remains constantly high. This condition is called insulin resistance.
The disease usually develops in adults, often after age 40 to 45. The presence of excess weight is of great importance for the occurrence of the disease: according to statistics, it is typical for more than 80% of patients with this diagnosis. In the presence of this factor, a hereditary predisposition is more likely to come true, because due to excess fat mass, a defect in insulin receptors occurs.
In people who are not overweight, insulin resistance is caused by other reasons, including endocrine and other diseases.
Gestational diabetes
This pathology occurs in pregnant women due to a decrease in glucose tolerance. It is an intermediate state between normal and diabetes, which usually disappears after childbirth. It must be distinguished from the primary type 1 or 2 manifestation discovered during pregnancy.
Women at risk:
- overweight;
- over 30 years old;
- have a history of severe toxicosis and gestosis, chronic miscarriages, stillbirths, chronic malformations in children during previous pregnancies;
- suffering from cardiovascular and endocrine diseases.
Diabetes in pregnant women can begin without these factors.
This pathology poses a threat to women and children, which can even lead to potentially fatal pathologies. Risks and possible complications can be avoided by keeping your sugar levels under control.
Risk factors
Many studies directly associate the likelihood of developing the disease with a genetic predisposition. If one parent has type 1 diabetes, the risk of inheriting the disease is 5%; if both parents are sick, it increases by up to 20%. For a person whose parents have type 2 disease, the probability of contracting the disease is about 80%, and in the presence of obesity, it approaches 100%.
But even if you have direct relatives with diabetes, you can prevent the appearance of a hereditary predisposition if you take into account risk factors and take preventive measures.
Visceral obesity is one of the key factors provoking the development of diabetes mellitus. Excess weight is caused by poor diet with high consumption of simple carbohydrates, lack of physical activity, taking certain medications and hormonal disorders (for example, excess androgens). According to international standards, visceral obesity is diagnosed when the waist circumference is greater than 80 cm in women and greater than 94 cm in men.
Other lifestyle factors include smoking, alcohol abuse, and prolonged exposure to stress.
Other diseases
Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome, as well as people of both sexes with cardiovascular and endocrine diseases, are at risk.
Age
All things being equal, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases in people over 45 years old.
Diagnostic methods
Laboratory tests are the most reliable way to diagnose diabetes. The first thing that allows you to suspect the presence of a disease is that your blood sugar level is higher than normal (on an empty stomach it is above 6. 1-7. 0 mmol/l, and 2 hours after a meal itis greater than 11. 1 mmol). /L). If the results are doubtful, an additional glucose tolerance test is performed; it helps identify prediabetes.
During the examination, glycated hemoglobin, insulin resistance index, the presence of glucose in urine are also checked and insulin and C-peptide tests are carried out, which make it possible to assessβ-cell activity and insulin volume. production.
To diagnose type 1 diabetes, especially in atypical cases, a blood test for antibodies to β cells is prescribed.
The patient can also be referred for consultation to specialists (cardiologist, ophthalmologist) in order to prevent complications.
It is better to undergo a complete examination in a medical institution, where you can quickly get tested and get medical advice. The modern medical center has created conditions for rapid and high-quality examination of patients. The technical equipment of the medical center allows you to carry out the necessary research, and the clinic employs experienced doctors who will prescribe treatment and clarify any questions that may arise.
Diabetes treatment
No method has yet been found to completely get rid of this disease. Treatment is aimed at stabilizing the patient's condition, relieving symptoms and preventing complications. If all recommendations are followed, diabetic patients can minimize the impact of the disease on their daily lives.
Drug treatment may include insulin therapy or oral medications that lower blood sugar. Insulin is necessary for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, as it solves the problem of compensation of carbohydrate metabolism and prevents the development of hypo and hyperglycemia. In the second type, it is prescribed in case of ineffectiveness of other measures, as well as according to indications (for example, during pregnancy, significant reduction in body weight, some complications).
Antihyperglycemic drugs are prescribed to patients of the second type. This group includes products with different principles of action:
- improve insulin secretion;
- increased insulin sensitivity;
- reduce the absorption of carbohydrates and others;
They work differently, but ultimately help restore normal blood sugar levels.
Determining the treatment program, choosing a medication or a combination of both is the responsibility of the attending physician. You can get an appointment with an endocrinologist at the clinic on the recommendation of a local therapist or without a referral for a fee. You can make an appointment for a consultation online or by telephone.
Other treatment methods are also used in combination with medications:
- diet (diet for diabetes mellitus necessarily involves limiting carbohydrates),
- feasible physical activity,
- compensation for vitamin and microelement deficiencies,
- regular monitoring of sugar levels.
In case of complications or concomitant diseases, appropriate treatment is additionally prescribed. Surgical methods (bariatrics) are also used in the treatment of diabetes when other measures are not effective enough.
Possible complications
Impaired carbohydrate metabolism in diabetes mellitus affects the functioning of the whole body, but the disease has the most destructive effect on blood vessels.
Common complications of diabetes are:
- retinal detachment;
- renal failure;
- neuropathy;
- atherosclerosis, which leads to many serious problems, including angina, heart attacks and strokes.
The disease negatively affects the immune system, causing pathologies of the skin and joints.
The most serious complication is diabetic coma. This condition can be caused by sugar levels that are too high or too low. In such cases, the patient requires urgent medical attention in intensive care.
Prevention of pathology
Measures aimed at preventing diabetes mellitus partly coincide with general recommendations aimed at maintaining health and preventing diseases. People with a genetic predisposition should observe them with particular attention:
- lead an active lifestyle and control your weight;
- eat well, reducing the consumption of fast carbohydrates (bakeries, sweets, etc. );
- give up bad habits (smoking, regular alcohol consumption);
- avoid unnecessary stress;
- After age 40, check your blood sugar 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 to monitor the warning signs and not hesitate to consult a doctor.