Diabetes mellitus is a chronic endocrine pathology that develops in people with insulin resistance and pancreatic dysfunction. It is accompanied by persistent hyperglycemia. Patients are constantly thirsty, complaining of frequent bladder emptying. The disease is based on a lack of insulin on the background of increased glucose levels. In 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 stroke, kidney failure, heart attack, significant reduction 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 the violation is discovered by accident, during the next scheduled examination.
Disease progression leads to complaints of:
- thirst and dry mouth
- insomnia
- cramps in the lower extremities
- itchy skin
- disability
- reduced emotional lability
- copious and frequent urination
- increased appetite
- dryness of the skin and mucous membranes, which is full of cracks, ulcerative lesions
- reduction of visual acuity.
Regeneration processes slow down: wounds, ulcers, cuts heal for a long time. Sensitivity in the legs decreases, until complete numbness. Obesity may progress. As the disease spreads, the hair on the legs begins to fall out, while the hairiness of the facial skin may increase. Xanthomas - small yellow formations - form on the body.
The genitourinary system often suffers: vulvovaginitis is often diagnosed in women and balanoposthitis in women. Metabolic processes are disrupted, 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, deformity of the bones and violation of their integrity.
Causes
Diabetes mellitus is accompanied by insulin resistance of the tissue. This means that they become less sensitive to the action of insulin. At the same time, the level of insulin in the blood plasma often remains within normal limits, and the level of sugar rises significantly. The disease is often diagnosed in patients of older age groups.
Among the predisposing factors that cause violations are:
- hereditary predisposition
- dietary errors
- cardiovascular disease
- chronic stress
- adrenal cortex insufficiency
- extra pounds
Diabetes can develop on the background of long-term use of certain groups of drugs.
insulin resistance
Insulin resistance is a pathological condition that underlies the mechanisms of development of diabetes mellitus. In the body, the sensitivity of tissues to the action of insulin decreases. There may be no specific symptoms. Violation is accompanied by excess body weight, high blood pressure.
The patient has a progression of fatty liver disease, hyperpigmented areas of the skin may form: black acanthosis. To identify the violation, it is necessary to take a blood test for glucose, insulin, check the HOMA index. The basis of therapy is the correction of diet, moderate physical activity.
Overweight
Overweight people are at risk: adipose tissue blocks tissue sensitivity to insulin action. This is one of the key factors that lead to the development of the disease. Overweight is detected by more than 89% in diabetes. The cause of such a violation can be the maintenance of a sedentary lifestyle, hereditary predisposition, metabolic disorders. Medical correction is needed, studying the mental state, choosing a suitable diet.
Pancreatic tumor
Pancreatic tumors can cause diabetes in people of different ages. Usually, 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, blood vessels and nerve endings suffer.
The following diagnostic studies are needed to confirm the diagnosis:
- tumor markers
- CT scanner
- M. R. I
- puncture
- biopsy
The treatment protocol is chosen individually. In most cases, surgery is indicated. In addition to the malignancy of the pathological process, a course of chemotherapy and radiation is additionally prescribed.
Sedentary lifestyle
With a lack of motor activity suffer mitochondria, energy cells of every cell in the body. This includes disorders of the internal organs, worsening of mood and a tendency to depression. Many patients with diabetes tend to control stress, rarely playing sports. Even a daily 15-minute workout can activate metabolic processes, improve cell sensitivity to insulin and reduce the risk of diabetes. If it is not possible to exercise daily, hiking in the fresh air at a fast pace is shown. It is recommended to walk and stay in the fresh air for at least half an hour a day.
Cardiovascular diseases
Under the influence of cardiovascular disease, tissue sensitivity to insulin decreases and the risk of developing diabetes mellitus increases.
People who have been diagnosed with the following disorders should be the most alert:
- atherosclerosis
- arterial hypertension
- coronary artery disease.
IHD is a myocardial lesion that occurs when the heart muscle is not adequately supplied with blood. It is the most common cause of death, over 75%. It is most often observed in patients with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hypodynamics, obesity, as well as in smokers. It is important to treat the causes of the disease in a timely manner, to be examined regularly by a cardiologist.
Improper diet
An important factor is the diet of people with diabetes. They are prone to overeating and suffer from a lack of nutrients. They often lack 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 a building material for 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 excess sugar and carbohydrates enter the body, it causes glucose spikes and overloads the pancreas.
Endocrine diseases
Diabetes mellitus can develop against the background of endocrine diseases:
- pancreatitis
- pituitary failure
- hypothyroidism
- hyperthyroidism
- thyrotoxicosis
- adrenal gland dysfunction.
In this case, a complex action is needed on the underlying cause, which caused the diabetes. Patients are often prescribed hormonal medications: courses or regular. It is also important to remove the source of stress, 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
Manifestation of diabetes mellitus is often observed in long-term progressive infectious disease:
- herpes
- viral hepatitis
- herpes
Chronic infection exhausts the body's defenses, making it more susceptible to other diseases. The primary manifestation of hepatitis may be a symptom of a viral disease. In this case, it is important to work with 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.
Medications
Certain groups of drugs can also cause diabetes in old age or middle age.
The risk group includes people who take:
- synthetic corticosteroids
- diuretic drugs
- cytostatics
Medicines can be taken only on the advice of a doctor. If medications cause insulin resistance with an increased risk of developing diabetes, it is advisable to reconsider the term, adjust the dose and choose alternative means of replacement. It is impossible to prescribe or stop taking medication on your own, as this can worsen the course of the underlying disease for which the described medications are recommended.
Chronic insufficiency of the adrenal cortex
Adrenal insufficiency often leads to the development of diabetes. It occurs in patients with insufficient hormonal secretion of the adrenal glands. Characteristic symptoms: bronze pigmentation on the skin, mucous membranes, feeling weak, vomiting, diarrhea, disturbance of consciousness. It is accompanied by disorders of water and electrolytes, dysfunction of the cardiovascular system. Treatment is carried out in a complex way: the root cause is eliminated, corticosteroids are used, symptomatic drugs are used.
Possible complications
The lack of timely treatment of diabetes mellitus is fraught with the following complications:
- Diabetic angiopathy - increased vascular permeability, increased risk of thrombosis, cardiovascular disease.
- Diabetic foot - occurs in the background of circulatory disorders in the lower extremities.
- Trophic ulcers in the lower extremities.
- Diabetic polyneuropathy, a condition that affects the peripheral nerves, occurs in more than 70% of patients with diabetes. Over time, polyneuropathy can transform into neuropathy. This complication is rare, but requires timely, quality medical care.
- Diabetic nephropathy, in which it disrupts blood flow to the blood vessels of the kidneys and increases the likelihood of developing renal failure.
- Diabetic coma is the most dangerous complication that is fraught with death.
Hyperglycemia occurs when there is a significant increase in blood glucose. This is accompanied by weakness, general weakness, loss of appetite, headache. If appropriate measures are not taken, the patient begins to suffer, vomiting has the smell of acetone. Relieves abdominal pain, 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 glucose levels. It is impossible to choose medications on your own, because they may not have the appropriate therapeutic result and cause complications.
Which doctor to go to
At the first symptoms of diabetes, a consultation with an endocrinologist is recommended. The doctor will conduct a comprehensive diagnosis using laboratory and instrumental techniques, will determine the degree of progression of the disorder. In the future, it may be necessary to consult other doctors: cardiologists, nutritionists, oncologists, gynecologists. It is important to follow all the doctor's instructions and refrain from self-medication.
Diagnosis
To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes a comprehensive diagnosis:
- blood glucose on an empty stomach
- ketone bodies and sugar in urine
- glycosylated hemoglobin
- C-peptide
- insulin
- glucose tolerance testing.
Special test strips are used to determine urine sugar. For timely detection of complications of diabetes mellitus, ultrasound examination of the kidneys, rheovasography of the extremities, and checking the structural and functional state of the brain are recommended.
Treatment
The treatment protocol is chosen for each patient individually. In doing so, 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. In the first phase, they review the diet, reduce the number of meals.
Two meals a day, without snacks, is optimal. You can get breakfast with healthy fats, proteins, carbohydrates from vegetables. Bakery products, sugar sources and other simple carbohydrates are completely removed from the diet. Portions are small, they give satiety due to the balanced composition and the presence of fat.
Drug correction includes the use of the following groups of drugs:
- hypoglycaemic agents
- drugs to restore blood circulation and microcirculation
- medicines for high blood pressure (if indicated)
The treatment regimen is chosen individually and is often supplemented with vitamin-mineral complexes, amino acids: taurine, glycine. Medication will not help to completely eliminate the problem. The patient is required to take a responsible attitude towards the correction of lifestyle and adhere to all the 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 - classes under the supervision of an instructor. It is advisable to agree in advance with the doctor.
Prevention
To prevent diabetes, it is important to monitor diet, normalize body weight, eliminate the source of stress, restore work, rest and sleep. It is important to review your diet, include enough healthy fats, fiber and cut down on simple carbohydrates. It is important to get back to sleep: go to bed no later than 23: 00, sleep in a dark, cold room.
Special attention is paid to physical activity: daily walking in the fresh air, running, brisk walking, swimming and all other suitable, feasible types of physical activity. Physical inactivity is unacceptable and may worsen the course of insulin resistance. Breathing exercises are useful: pranayama, Buteyko breathing, to provide enough oxygen to the tissues.
People and risk groups are advised to monitor glucose indicators and glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin. At the first signs of violation, refuse self-medication and consult an experienced endocrinologist.
The prognosis for patients who immediately sought medical help and changed their lifestyle is generally favorable. They can live long and quality lives without facing the dangerous complications of the disease. Lack of therapy leads to reduced life expectancy and acute / chronic complications.