Diabetes mellitus is a chronic endocrine disease that develops in people with insulin resistance and pancreatic dysfunction. Accompanied by persistent hyperglycemia. Patients are constantly thirsty, complain of frequent emptying of the bladder. The disease is based on a deficiency of one's own insulin against the background of an increase in the level of glucose. Against the background of diabetes, appetite is often disturbed, general well-being worsens, wounds and ulcers do not heal well. The disease is chronic, characterized by constant progression. Lack of therapy is fraught with stroke, kidney failure, heart attack, a significant decrease in visual acuity. A sharp fluctuation in blood sugar can cause hyper or hypoglycemic coma.
Symptoms
Diabetes mellitus develops gradually, in the early stages there may be no specific symptoms. Often, a violation is detected by accident, during the next scheduled inspection.
The progression of the disease leads to complaints of:
- thirst and dry mouth
- insomnia
- cramps in the lower limbs
- itchy skin
- disability
- decreased emotional lability
- abundant and frequent urination
- increased appetite
- dryness of the skin and mucous membranes, which is fraught with cracks, ulcerative lesions
- decreased visual acuity.
The regeneration processes slow down: wounds, ulcers, cuts heal for a long time. Sensitivity in the legs decreases, up to complete numbness. Progression of obesity is possible. As the disease spreads, hair on the legs begins to fall out, while facial skin hairiness can increase. Xanthomas form on the body - small yellow formations.
The genitourinary system often suffers: vulvovaginitis is often diagnosed in women, and balanoposthitis in women. Metabolic processes are disturbed, defenses are reduced, the body becomes less resistant to infectious lesions. Prolonged lack of medical care can lead to osteoporosis. This is accompanied by complaints of pain in the joints and spine, deformation of the bones and violations of their integrity.
Causes
Diabetes mellitus is accompanied by tissue insulin resistance. This means that they become less sensitive to the effects of insulin. At the same time, the level of insulin in the blood plasma often remains in the normal range, and the sugar level rises significantly. The disease is often diagnosed in patients of advanced age.
Among the predisposing factors that cause a violation, there are:
- hereditary predisposition
- nutritional errors
- cardiovascular disease
- chronic stress
- insufficiency of the adrenal cortex
- excess weight
Diabetes can develop against the background of prolonged use of certain groups of drugs.
insulin resistance
Insulin resistance is a pathological condition that underlies the developmental mechanisms of diabetes mellitus. In the body, the sensitivity of tissues to insulin action decreases. There may be no specific symptoms. Violation is accompanied by excess body weight, increased blood pressure.
In patients, the progression of fatty hepatosis of the liver is noted, hyperpigmented areas may form on the skin: black acanthosis. To identify a violation, it is necessary to carry out a blood test for glucose, insulin, check the HOMA index. The basis of therapy is diet correction, moderate physical activity.
Overweight
Overweight people are at risk: adipose tissue blocks the susceptibility of tissues to the effects of insulin. This is one of the key factors leading to the development of the disease. Excess weight is reported by over 89% with diabetes. The cause of such a violation may be the maintenance of a sedentary lifestyle, hereditary predisposition, metabolic disorders. Medical correction, the study of the psychological state, the selection of an adequate diet are required.
Cancer of the pancreas
Tumors of the pancreas can cause diabetes in people of different age groups. Typically, these neoplasms are benign and do not cause specific symptoms until they become large. The lack of timely therapy is fraught with the transformation of a benign tumor into a malignant one. At the same time, symptoms of general intoxication appear, compression of surrounding organs is observed, blood vessels and nerve endings suffer.
To confirm the diagnosis, the following diagnostic studies are involved:
- tumor markers
- CT scan
- Magnetic resonance
- drilling
- biopsy
The treatment protocol is selected individually. In most cases, surgery is indicated. With the malignancy of the pathological process, a course of chemotherapy and radiation therapy is additionally prescribed.
Sedentary lifestyle
With a lack of motor activity, the mitochondria, the energy stations of every cell in the body, suffer. This leads to a disruption in the functioning of internal organs, a deterioration in mood and a tendency to depression. Many patients with diabetes tend to feel stress, rarely play sports. Even daily 15-minute workouts can activate metabolic processes, improve cellular susceptibility to insulin, and reduce the risk of diabetes. If it is not possible to practice daily, brisk outdoor hiking is shown. It is recommended to walk and spend at least half an hour a day outdoors.
Cardiovascular disease
Under the influence of cardiovascular diseases, the sensitivity of tissues to insulin decreases and the risk of developing diabetes mellitus increases.
The utmost vigilance should be shown by people who have been diagnosed with such ailments:
- atherosclerosis
- hypertension
- coronary artery disease.
IHD is a myocardial injury that occurs when the blood supply to the heart muscles is insufficient. It is the most common cause of death, exceeding 75%. Most often observed in patients with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hypodynamia, obesity and smokers. It is important to treat the root causes of the disease in a timely manner, regularly examined by a cardiologist.
Incorrect feeding
A significant factor is the diet of people with diabetes. They are prone to overeating while suffering from a nutrient deficiency. They often have a deficiency in such essential substances:
- minerals including chromium, selenium, manganese, iron, zinc, copper
- polyunsaturated fatty acids - healthy fats found in wild fish, ghee, quality cold-pressed vegetable oils
- protein, which is the building material for new cells and tissues
- fat-soluble substances: vitamins A, E, D.
The diet is often dominated by simple carbohydrates and sugars, which negatively affect the intestinal microflora, reduce the protective properties of the organism. If too much sugar and carbohydrates enter the body, this causes glucose spikes and overloads the pancreas.
Endocrine diseases
Diabetes mellitus can develop against the background of endocrine diseases:
- pancreatitis
- pituitary insufficiency
- hypothyroidism
- hyperthyroidism
- thyrotoxicosis
- dysfunction of the adrenal glands.
In this case, it requires a complex effect on the root cause, which provoked diabetes. Patients are often prescribed hormonal drugs: courses or regularly. It is also important to eliminate the source of stress, normalize sleep. It is important to ensure a sufficient supply of iodine, selenium, zinc and iron to ensure the normal functioning of the endocrine glands.
Infectious diseases
The manifestation of diabetes mellitus is often observed with a long-term progressive infectious disease:
- herpes
- Viral hepatitis
- herpes
Chronic infection depletes the body's defenses, making it more susceptible to other diseases. The primary manifestation of hepatitis can become a symptom of a viral disease. In this case, it is important to work with the root cause - the source of the infection and reduce the viral load on the body. To do this, use antiviral drugs, immunostimulants, drugs for the correction of symptoms.
Medicines
Certain groups of drugs can also cause diabetes to occur in the elderly or middle-aged.
The risk group includes people who take:
- synthetic corticosteroids
- diuretic drugs
- cytostatics
Medicines can only be taken as prescribed by a doctor. If the drugs cause insulin resistance with an increased risk of developing diabetes, it is advisable to reconsider the appointment, adjust the dose and choose alternative means to replace it. It is impossible to prescribe or stop taking drugs on your own, as this may worsen the course of the underlying disease, for the treatment of which the described drugs were recommended.
Chronic insufficiency of the adrenal cortex
Adrenal insufficiency often leads to the development of diabetes. It occurs in patients with insufficient hormone secretion of the adrenal glands. Characteristic symptoms: bronze pigmentation on the skin, mucous membranes, feeling of weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, impaired consciousness. Accompanied by water and electrolyte disorders, dysfunction of the cardiovascular system. Treatment is carried out in a complex way: the main cause is eliminated, corticosteroids are used, symptomatic drugs.
Possible complications
The lack of timely treatment of diabetes mellitus is fraught with such complications:
- Diabetic angiopathy: increased vascular permeability, increased risk of thrombosis, cardiovascular disease.
- Diabetic foot - occurs against the background of circulatory disorders in the lower extremities.
- Trophic ulcers in the lower limbs.
- Diabetic polyneuropathy, a condition that affects the peripheral nerves, occurs in over 70% of patients with diabetes. Over time, polyneuropathy can develop into neuropathy. This complication is rare, but requires prompt, high-quality medical care.
- Diabetic nephropathy, in which it impairs the blood supply to the vessels of the kidneys and increases the likelihood of developing kidney failure.
- Diabetic coma is the most dangerous complication that is fraught with death.
Hyperglycemia occurs when there is a significant rise in blood sugar. This is accompanied by weakness, general malaise, loss of appetite, headache. If the appropriate measures are not taken, the patient begins to feel sick, the vomit smells like acetone. Relieves abdominal pain, lowers blood pressure. To prevent dangerous complications, it is important to start insulin resistance / diabetes mellitus treatment in a timely manner and to constantly monitor blood glucose levels. It is impossible to select drugs on your own, as they may not have the correct therapeutic result and lead to complications.
Which doctor to contact
At the first symptoms of diabetes, it is recommended to consult an endocrinologist. The doctor will conduct a complete diagnosis using laboratory and instrumental techniques, determine the degree of progression of the ailment. In the future, consultations of other doctors may be necessary: a cardiologist, a nutritionist, an oncologist, a gynecologist. It is important to follow all the doctors' instructions and refrain from self-medication.
Diagnostics
To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes a complete diagnosis:
- blood sugar on an empty stomach
- ketone bodies and sugar in the urine
- glycosylated hemoglobin
- peptide C
- insulin
- glucose tolerance test
To determine the sugar in the urine, special test strips are used. For the timely detection of complications of diabetes mellitus, it is recommended to conduct an ultrasound examination of the kidneys, reovasography of the extremities, and also to check the structural and functional state of the brain.
Treatment
The treatment protocol is selected individually for each patient. At the same time, age, concomitant chronic and somatic diseases are taken into account. Therapy is carried out throughout life, the patient must be under the constant supervision of an endocrinologist. In the first stage, they review the diet, reduce the number of meals.
The ideal is two meals a day, without snacks. Breakfast with healthy fats, proteins, carbohydrates can be obtained from vegetables. Baked goods, sources of sugar and other simple carbohydrates are completely removed from the diet. The portions are small, they give satiety thanks to the balanced composition and the presence of fat.
Drug correction involves the use of such groups of drugs:
- hypoglycemic agents
- drugs to restore blood circulation and microcirculation
- high blood pressure medicines (if indicated)
The treatment regimen is selected individually and often supplemented with vitamin-mineral complexes, amino acids: taurine, glycine. Medicines will not help to completely get rid of the problem. The patient is required to have a responsible attitude towards lifestyle correction and compliance with all recommendations of the doctor.
Patients with diabetes are shown moderate physical activity. This avoids further progression of the pathological process and the development of complications. Recommended daily walking, yoga, swimming, gymnastics, breathing exercises. The best option - lessons under the supervision of an instructor. It is advisable to discuss the volume of loads with your doctor in advance.
Prevention
To prevent diabetes, it is important to monitor the diet, normalize body weight, eliminate the source of stress, restore the mode of work, rest and sleep. It is important to review your diet, include sufficient amounts of healthy fats, fiber, and cut down on simple carbohydrates. It is important to restore sleep: go to bed no later than 11 pm, sleep in a dark and cool room.
Particular attention is paid to physical activity: daily walking outdoors, running, brisk walking, swimming and any other practicable and suitable physical activity. Physical inactivity is unacceptable and can aggravate the course of insulin resistance. The breathing practices are useful: pranayama, Buteyko breathing, to ensure a sufficient supply of oxygen to the tissues.
People and groups at risk are advised to monitor the indicators of glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin. At the first sign of violation, refuse self-treatment and turn to an experienced endocrinologist.
The prognosis for patients who promptly seek medical attention and revise their lifestyle is mostly favorable. They can live long, quality lives without facing the dangerous complications of the disease. Lack of therapy leads to reduced life expectancy and acute / chronic developmental complications.