Diabetes mellitus is a chronic endocrine pathology 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 its 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 deteriorates, wounds and ulcers do not heal well. The disease is chronic, characterized by constant progression. The lack of therapy is fraught with strokes, kidney failure, heart attack, a significant decrease in visual acuity. A sharp fluctuation in blood sugar can cause a hyperglycemic or hypoglycemic coma.
Symptoms
Diabetes mellitus develops gradually, in the early stages there may be no specific symptoms. Often, a violation is detected by chance, 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
- heavy and frequent urination
- Increased appetite
- dryness of the skin and mucous membranes, which is fraught with cracks, ulcerative lesions
- decrease in visual acuity.
Regeneration processes slow down: wounds, ulcers, cuts heal for a long time. Sensitivity in the legs decreases, up to complete numbness. The progression of obesity is possible. As the disease spreads, leg hair begins to fall out, while facial skin hair may increase. Xanthomas form on the body - small yellow formations.
The genitourinary system often suffers from this: 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, deformations of the bones and violations of their integrity.
causes
Diabetes mellitus is accompanied by tissue resistance to insulin. This means they become less sensitive to the effects of insulin. At the same time, the level of insulin in the blood plasma often remains within the normal range, and the level of sugar rises significantly. The disease is often diagnosed in patients of older age groups.
Among the predisposing factors that cause a violation are:
- hereditary predisposition
- nutritional errors
- cardiovascular illnesses
- chronic stress
- adrenal cortex insufficiency
- overweight
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 the action of insulin decreases. There may not be any specific symptoms. The violation is accompanied by excess body weight, increased blood pressure.
In patients, there is a progression of fatty hepatosis of the liver, hyperpigmented areas may form on the skin: black acanthosis. To identify a violation, it is necessary to take a blood test for glucose, insulin, check the HOMA index. The basis of therapy is the correction of the diet, moderate physical activity.
Overweight
Overweight people are at risk: adipose tissue blocks the sensitivity of tissues to the effects of insulin. This is one of the key factors that leads to the development of the disease. Excess weight is detected by more than 89% of diabetics. The cause of such a violation may be the maintenance of a sedentary lifestyle, hereditary predisposition, metabolic disorders. Medical correction is necessary, the study of the psychological state, the selection of a suitable diet.
Pancreatic tumor
Pancreatic tumors can cause diabetes in people of different age groups. As a rule, these neoplasms are benign and do not cause specific symptoms until they become large. Lack of timely therapy leads to the transformation of a benign tumor into a malignant one. At the same time, symptoms of general intoxication appear, compression of the surrounding organs is observed, vessels and nerve endings suffer.
To confirm the diagnosis, the following diagnostic studies are involved:
- Tumor markers
- computed tomography
- Magnetic resonance imaging
- puncture
- 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 disturbance in the functioning of internal organs, a deterioration in mood and a tendency to depression. Many diabetic patients tend to grasp stress and rarely play sports. Even daily 15-minute workouts can activate metabolic processes, improve cells' sensitivity to insulin, and reduce the risk of diabetes. If it is not possible to practice daily, hiking in the fresh air at a brisk pace is indicated. It is recommended to walk and spend in the fresh air at least half an hour a day.
Cardiovascular illnesses
Under the influence of cardiovascular diseases, the sensitivity of tissues to insulin decreases, and the risk of developing diabetes mellitus increases.
The greatest vigilance must be shown by people who have been diagnosed with such disorders:
- atherosclerosis
- high blood pressure
- coronary artery disease.
IHD is myocardial damage 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, as well as in smokers. It is important to treat the root causes of the disease in a timely manner, regularly examined by a cardiologist.
A poor diet
An important factor is the diet of people with diabetes. They tend to overeat, while suffering from nutrient deficiency. They often have a deficiency of these 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 of new cells and tissues
- fat-soluble substances: vitamins A, E, D.
The diet is often dominated by simple carbohydrates and sugar, which negatively affect the intestinal microflora, reduce the protective properties of the organism. If too much sugar and carbohydrates enter the body, it causes glucose surges 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 caused diabetes. Patients are often prescribed hormonal drugs: as a cure or on a regular basis. It is also important to eliminate the source of stress, normalize sleep. It is important to ensure a sufficient intake 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 vulnerable to other illnesses. The main 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 infection and to reduce the viral load on the body. To do this, use antiviral drugs, immunostimulants, drugs for symptomatic correction.
Medications
Certain groups of drugs can also provoke the manifestation of diabetes in elderly or middle-aged people.
The risk group includes people who take:
- synthetic corticosteroids
- diuretic drugs
- cytostatics
Medicines can only be taken on medical prescription. If drugs cause insulin resistance with an increased risk of developing diabetes, it is advisable to reconsider the appointment, adjust the dose and choose other means to replace it. It is impossible to prescribe or stop taking medication on your own, as this may aggravate 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 hormonal secretion from the adrenal glands. Characteristic symptoms: tan pigmentation of the skin, mucous membranes, feeling of weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea, impaired consciousness. Accompanied by water and electrolyte disorders, dysfunction of the cardiovascular system. Treatment is carried out in a complex way: the root cause is eliminated, corticosteroids, symptomatic drugs are used.
Possible complications
Lack of timely treatment of diabetes mellitus leads to such complications:
- Diabetic angiopathy - increased vascular permeability, increased risk of thrombosis, cardiovascular diseases.
- Diabetic foot - occurs against the background of circulatory disorders of the lower extremities.
- Trophic ulcers of the lower limbs.
- Diabetic polyneuropathy, a condition that affects peripheral nerves, occurs in more than 70% of diabetic patients. Over time, polyneuropathy can develop into neuropathy. This complication is rare, but requires prompt and quality medical care.
- Diabetic nephropathy, in which it impairs the blood supply to the vessels of the kidneys and increases the risk of developing kidney failure.
- Diabetic coma is the most dangerous complication that leads to death.
Hyperglycemia occurs when there is a significant increase in blood sugar. This is accompanied by weakness, general malaise, loss of appetite, headache. If appropriate measures are not taken, the patient begins to feel unwell, vomit smells like acetone. Relieves pain in the abdomen, lowers blood pressure. To prevent dangerous complications, it is important to start treatment for insulin resistance / diabetes mellitus in a timely manner and constantly monitor blood sugar levels. It is impossible to select drugs on your own, as they may not have the right therapeutic result and cause complications.
Which doctor to contact
At the first symptoms of diabetes, it is recommended to consult an endocrinologist. The doctor will conduct a comprehensive diagnosis using laboratory and instrumental techniques, determine the degree of progression of the disorder. In the future, consultations of other doctors may be required: a cardiologist, a nutritionist, an oncologist, a gynecologist. It is important to follow all doctors' instructions and refrain from self-medication.
Diagnostic
To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes a comprehensive diagnosis:
- fasting blood glucose
- ketone bodies and sugar in urine
- glycosylated hemoglobin
- C-peptide
- insulin
- glucose tolerance tests.
To determine sugar in the urine, special test strips are used. For timely detection of complications of diabetes mellitus, it is recommended to conduct ultrasound of the kidneys, rheovasography of the extremities, and also to check the structural and functional state of the brain.
Treatment
The treatment protocol is chosen for each patient individually. At the same time, age, concomitant chronic somatic diseases are taken into account. Therapy is carried out for life, the patient must be under the constant supervision of an endocrinologist. At the first stage, they revise the diet, reduce the number of meals.
Optimal is two meals a day, without snacks. Breakfast with healthy fats, proteins and 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, provide satiety due to the balanced composition and the presence of fat.
Medication correction involves the use of such groups of drugs:
- hypoglycemic agents
- drugs to restore blood circulation and microcirculation
- high blood pressure medication (if indicated)
The treatment regimen is selected individually and often supplemented with vitamin-mineral complexes, amino acids: taurine, glycine. Medicines will not help eliminate the problem completely. The patient is required to have a responsible attitude towards the correction of the way of life and the observance of all the recommendations of the doctor.
Diabetic patients demonstrate moderate physical activity. This prevents further progression of the pathological process and the development of complications. Recommended daily walking, yoga, swimming, gymnastics, breathing exercises. The best option - classes under the supervision of an instructor. It is recommended to discuss the volume of fillers with the doctor beforehand.
Prevention
To prevent diabetes, it is important to monitor diet, normalize body weight, eliminate the source of stress, restore the mode of work, rest and sleep. It is important to review the diet, include enough healthy fats, fiber and reduce simple carbohydrates. It is important to get back to sleep: go to bed no later than 11: 00 p. m. , sleep in a dark and cool room.
Particular attention is paid to physical activity: daily walking in the fresh air, running, brisk walking, swimming, and any other form of suitable and feasible physical activity. Physical inactivity is unacceptable and can aggravate the development of insulin resistance. Respiratory practices are useful: pranayama, Buteyko breathing, to ensure a sufficient supply of oxygen to the tissues.
Individuals 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 of patients who promptly consult a doctor and revise their lifestyle is generally favorable. They can live a long and quality life without facing the dangerous complications of the disease. Lack of treatment results in reduced life expectancy and acute/chronic complications.