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 lack of its own insulin against the background of an increased level of glucose. Often against the background of diabetes, appetite is disturbed, general well-being deteriorates, wounds and ulcers heal poorly. The disease is chronic, characterized by constant progression. A lack of therapy is fraught with stroke, kidney failure, heart attack, and a significant decrease in visual acuity. A sharp fluctuation in blood sugar can cause a hyper- or hypoglycemic coma.
symptoms
Diabetes mellitus develops insidiously, in the early stages no specific symptoms may appear. Often a violation is discovered by accident at the next scheduled inspection.
The progression of the disease leads to complaints about:
- thirst and dry mouth
- insomnia
- Cramps in the lower extremities
- itching of the skin
- disability
- decreased emotional lability
- copious and frequent urination
- increased appetite
- dryness of the skin and mucous membranes, fraught with cracks, ulcerative lesions
- decrease in visual acuity.
Regenerative processes slow down: wounds, ulcers, cuts heal for a long time. Sensitivity in the legs decreases to the point of complete numbness. Progression of obesity is possible. As the disease spreads, hair on the legs begins to fall out, while hair on the skin of the face may increase. Xanthomas are formed on the body - small yellow formations.
The genitourinary system often suffers: vulvovaginitis is often diagnosed in women, and balanoposthitis in women. Metabolic processes are disrupted, the body's 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 resistance to insulin. This means they are less sensitive to the effects of insulin. At the same time, the insulin level in the blood plasma often remains within the normal range and the sugar level rises significantly. The disease is often diagnosed in patients of older age groups.
Factors predisposing to causing injury include:
- hereditary predisposition
- nutritional errors
- cardiovascular diseases
- chronic stress
- Adrenal cortical insufficiency
- overweight
Diabetes can develop against the background of prolonged use of certain groups of drugs.
insulin resistance
Insulin resistance is a pathological condition underlying the mechanisms of the development of diabetes mellitus. In the body, tissue sensitivity to the effects of insulin decreases. There may be no specific symptoms. Injury is accompanied by obesity and increased blood pressure.
Progression of fatty hepatosis of the liver is noted in patients, hyperpigmented areas can form on the skin: black acanthosis. To identify a violation, it is necessary to take a blood test for glucose and insulin and check the HOMA index. The basis of therapy is the correction of nutrition, moderate physical activity.
overweight
Obese people are at risk: Adipose tissue blocks the tissue's susceptibility to the action of insulin. This is one of the key factors that lead to the development of the disease. Overweight is identified by over 89% of diabetics. The cause of such a violation can be maintaining a sedentary lifestyle, hereditary predisposition, metabolic disorders. Medical correction is required, the study of the mental state, the selection of an appropriate diet.
tumor of the pancreas
Pancreatic tumors can cause diabetes in people of different ages. 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 the surrounding organs is observed, vessels and nerve endings suffer.
To confirm the diagnosis, the following diagnostic studies are involved:
- tumor markers
- CT scan
- magnetic resonance imaging
- puncture
- biopsy
The treatment protocol is selected individually. In most cases, surgery is indicated. With malignancy of the pathological process, chemotherapy and radiation are additionally prescribed.
Sedentary lifestyle
The mitochondria, the energy stations of every cell in the body, suffer from motor deficiency. This leads to disruption in the functioning of internal organs, deterioration in mood and a tendency to depression. Many patients with diabetes are prone to stress and rarely exercise. Even daily 15-minute workouts can activate metabolic processes, improve the cells' susceptibility to insulin and reduce the risk of diabetes. If it is not possible to practice daily, walking in the fresh air at a fast pace is shown. It is recommended to go for a walk and be in the fresh air for at least half an hour a day.
cardiovascular diseases
Under the influence of cardiovascular diseases, the sensitivity of tissues to insulin decreases, and the risk of developing diabetes mellitus increases.
The greatest vigilance should be shown by people who have been diagnosed with such disorders:
- atherosclerosis
- arterial hypertension
- coronary heart disease.
IHD is a myocardial lesion that occurs when the blood supply to the heart muscles is inadequate. It is the most common cause of death at over 75%. Most often observed in patients with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hypodynamia, obesity, as well as smokers. It is important to treat the causes of the disease in a timely manner and regularly undergo examinations by a cardiologist.
Wrong diet
A key factor is the diet of people with diabetes. They tend to overeat while at the same time suffering from nutrient deficiencies. They often have a lack of such essential substances:
- Minerals including chromium, selenium, manganese, iron, zinc, copper
- polyunsaturated fatty acids - healthy fats from wild fish, ghee, high-quality cold-pressed vegetable oils
- Protein that is the building block for new cells and tissues
- fat-soluble substances: vitamins A, E, D.
Diet is often dominated by simple carbohydrates and sugars, which negatively affect the intestinal microflora and reduce the protective properties of the body. When an excessive amount of sugar and carbohydrates enters the body, it provokes surges in glucose and overloads the pancreas.
endocrine diseases
Diabetes mellitus can develop against the background of endocrine diseases:
- pancreatitis
- pituitary failure
- hypothyroidism
- hyperthyroidism
- thyrotoxicosis
- Dysfunction of the adrenal glands.
In this case, it requires a complex action on the root cause that provoked diabetes. Patients are often prescribed hormonal drugs: courses or periodically. It is also important to eliminate the source of stress and normalize sleep. It is important to ensure adequate 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 infections weaken the body's defenses and make 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 on the root cause - the source of infection - and reduce the viral load on the body. To do this, use antiviral drugs, immunostimulants, drugs for symptomatic correction.
medication
Also, certain groups of drugs can provoke the manifestation of diabetes in the elderly or middle-aged.
The risk group includes people who take:
- synthetic corticosteroids
- diuretics
- cytostatics
Medications may only be taken as prescribed by a doctor. If drugs cause insulin resistance with an increased risk of diabetes, it is advisable to reconsider the appointment, adjust the dose and choose alternative means to replace it. It is not possible to independently prescribe or stop taking medicines, since this can worsen the course of the underlying disease, for the treatment of which the described medicines were recommended.
Chronic adrenal insufficiency
Adrenal insufficiency often leads to the development of diabetes. It occurs in patients with insufficient hormone secretion by the adrenal glands. Characteristic symptoms: bronze pigmentation on the skin, mucous membranes, 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 cause is eliminated, corticosteroids, symptomatic drugs are used.
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 diseases.
- Diabetic foot - occurs against the background of impaired blood circulation in the lower extremities.
- Trophic ulcers in the lower extremities.
- Diabetic polyneuropathy, a disease affecting the peripheral nerves, occurs in more than 70% of patients with diabetes. Over time, polyneuropathy can turn into neuropathy. This complication is rare, but requires timely, quality medical care.
- Diabetic nephropathy, which affects the blood supply to the kidney vessels and increases the chance of kidney failure.
- Diabetic coma is the most dangerous complication associated with death.
Hyperglycemia occurs when blood sugar increases significantly. This is accompanied by weakness, general malaise, loss of appetite, headache. If appropriate measures are not taken, the patient will begin to feel sick, the vomit will smell like acetone. Relieves abdominal pain, lowers blood pressure. In order to avoid dangerous complications, it is important to start the treatment of insulin resistance / diabetes mellitus in a timely manner and constantly monitor blood sugar levels. It is impossible to choose drugs yourself, since they may not have the right therapeutic result and provoke complications.
Which doctor to contact
At the first symptoms of diabetes, it is recommended to consult an endocrinologist. The doctor conducts a comprehensive diagnosis using laboratory and instrumental techniques and determines the degree of progression of the disease. In the future, consultations of other doctors may be required: a cardiologist, a nutritionist, an oncologist, a gynecologist. It is important to follow all doctor's orders and refrain from self-medication.
diagnosis
To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes a comprehensive diagnosis:
- blood sugar on an empty stomach
- Ketone bodies and sugar in urine
- glycated hemoglobin
- C-peptide
- insulin
- glucose tolerance test.
Special test strips are used to determine the sugar in the urine. For timely detection of complications of diabetes mellitus, it is recommended to conduct an ultrasound scan of the kidneys and rheovasography of the extremities, as well as check the structural and functional state of the brain.
treatment
The treatment protocol is selected individually for each patient. Age and accompanying 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 review the diet and reduce the number of meals.
Two meals a day without snacks are ideal. Breakfast with healthy fats, protein, carbohydrates can be obtained from vegetables. Baked goods, sources of sugar and other simple carbohydrates are completely eliminated from the diet. The portions are small and provide saturation due 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 flow and microcirculation
- Medicines for high blood pressure (if indicated)
The treatment regimen is selected individually and often supplemented with vitamin-mineral complexes, amino acids: taurine, glycine. Medications will not help to completely eliminate the problem. The patient must take a responsible attitude towards lifestyle correction and compliance with all medical recommendations.
Patients with diabetes are shown moderate physical activity. This will avoid 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 the charges with the doctor in advance.
prevention
To prevent diabetes, it is important to monitor nutrition, normalize body weight, eliminate the source of stress, restore functioning, rest and sleep. It's important to rethink your diet, include adequate amounts of healthy fats and fiber, and reduce simple carbohydrates. It is important to restore sleep: go to bed no later than 23: 00, sleep in a dark, cool room.
Particular attention is paid to physical activity: daily walking in the fresh air, running, brisk walking, swimming and any other suitable, feasible types of physical activity. Physical inactivity is unacceptable and can worsen the course of insulin resistance. Breathing exercises are helpful: pranayama, Buteyko breathing to ensure adequate tissue oxygenation.
People and risk groups are recommended to monitor the indicators of glucose and glycated hemoglobin, insulin. At the first sign of violation, refuse self-treatment and contact an experienced endocrinologist.
The prognosis for patients who have sought immediate medical attention and lifestyle changes is usually favorable. You can live a long, quality life without being exposed to the dangerous complications of the disease. The lack of therapy leads to a reduction in life expectancy and acute/chronic complications.