Diabetes. . . Many people have heard this word and know that "this disease is somehow related to sugar". Some people are afraid of diseases, others do not care.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a group of endocrine diseases that develop as a result of insufficiency of the hormone insulin, resulting in hyperglycemia - a persistent increase in blood sugar.
The disease is characterized by a chronic course and all kinds of metabolic disorders: carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals and water-salt. There are 2 types, each of which requires a different approach.
How do I know if I have diabetes?
The most accurate diagnostic methods are, of course, various blood and urine tests. It is not enough to measure the sugar level once, so if suspicions arise, the doctor will definitely prescribe a series of tests for the patient.
What could cause such suspicion? The main symptoms are:
- Increased urine output, caused by an increase in the pressure of the urine due to the glucose dissolved in it (there is usually no glucose in the urine). It manifests itself in frequent, copious urination, also at night.
- The constant unquenchable thirst is caused by the significant loss of water in the urine and the increased osmotic pressure of the blood.
- Constant insatiable hunger. This symptom is caused by a metabolic disorder that occurs in diabetes, namely the inability of cells to absorb and process glucose in the absence of insulin (hunger in the midst of plenty).
- Weight loss (especially typical of type 1 diabetes) is a common symptom of diabetes, which occurs despite patients' increased appetite.
Therefore, if you notice these symptoms, consult a doctor immediately!
What are the types of diabetes?
There are many 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 is unable to produce insulin, which is responsible for the body's absorption of sugar, this is the so-called insulin-dependent type. It is usually diagnosed in people under the age of 30. Such patients receive insulin artificially (by constant injections).
Type 2 diabetes accounts for 85-90% of all adult-onset diabetes 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 those whose family members are diabetic, to monitor 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 notice. Often, a person learns about his illness by accident, 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.
Those whose parents are obese and/or have type 2 diabetes are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
How to calculate if there is a risk of developing diabetes? You need to measure the waist and hip circumference, divide the first indicator by the second. If the value obtained is greater than 0. 95 for men and 0. 85 for women, then you are at risk.
What are the complications of diabetes?
The main cause of chronic complications of diabetes is damage to small blood vessels and the peripheral nervous system. The walls of blood vessels and nerves suffer from excessive sugar in the blood; penetrating into them, glucose turns 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 keeps the blood sugar level within acceptable values (6. 7-8. 0 mmol/l), late diabetic complications do not occur.
The negative effects of diabetes are strong on some organs and less so on others, for example:
- Eyes - the retina is affected, diabetes can cause cataracts (clouding of the lens) and blindness (retinal changes).
- Teeth - all diseases in the oral cavity develop at an accelerated rate due to the lack of blood supply. There are often cases when diabetes is detected in the dentist's office, where the patient comes with complaints of swollen gums and loose teeth.
- Heart - affected by diabetes; the heart muscle changes, changes in the blood vessels due to high cholesterol lead to coronary artery disease.
- Liver - if diabetes is poorly compensated, its normal function is disrupted and the liver becomes enlarged.
- The kidneys are directly affected by diabetes, resulting in diabetic nephropathy.
- Reproductive system. In men, diabetes leads to impotence, miscarriage, premature birth and intrauterine fetal death are possible.
- The process of pregnancy and childbirth is very complicated for women with diabetes. 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 consequences are trophic ulcers, gangrene, limb loss. In addition, feet and nails are susceptible to fungal diseases.
- The joints are more sensitive to processes such as salt deposition than in a healthy person; in addition, diabetic changes in the joints are also possible.
- The circulatory system is directly affected by diabetes, which in turn triggers all of the above diseases. People with diabetes usually have high blood pressure. Note that an additional factor that stimulates blood vessel damage in diabetes is smoking.
Therefore, it is important to understand that you can live a full life only if you take control of your diabetes and successfully compensate for it. In our country and around the world, many people not only suffer from diabetes, but also achieve outstanding success: they conquer mountain peaks and lead large organizations.
And there is no need to despair when you hear such a diagnosis, everything is in your hands!
Can we cure diabetes?
Unfortunately, scientists have not yet found a cure that can completely cure diabetes patients. Currently, 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 must understand what diabetes mellitus is, why it is dangerous, what to do in case of sudden changes in blood sugar level, how to avoid them, be able to control blood sugar level independently and be aware 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 the treatment of diabetes is the continuous control of the blood sugar level and keeping it at the level recommended by the doctor.
If a person with diabetes approaches this issue responsibly, his health will be the same as that of a healthy person. Moreover, the future prognosis will be favorable in terms of complications, duration and quality of life.
Having trouble controlling your blood sugar?
In the modern world, this is no longer a problem. If previously it was only possible to measure blood sugar in a laboratory, now it is very easy to do at home. High-precision glucometers are available for measuring glucose. They are compact, very easy to use and specially designed for self-measurement of glucose levels. If necessary, you can find out your sugar level at home, at work, while traveling, etc.
The whole process literally takes a few seconds and only requires a drop of blood. The test strip draws a drop and the result is displayed on the screen.
Prevention of diabetes
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 lowers blood sugar levels and reduces the need for insulin.
- Proper nutrition. Eating foods rich in dietary fiber, which normalizes bowel function and lowers cholesterol. These items include all fruits and vegetables, legumes, dairy, nuts, and more.
- Avoid excessive consumption of flour products, sweets, pasta and baked goods. 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 sugar regularly. It is also necessary to perform a sugar test for people who are prone to obesity and lead a sedentary lifestyle.