Insulin hormone deficiency has been known to mankind since ancient times, but despite this and the rapid development of medical technology, it is very difficult to diagnose the disease at an early stage. Many patients are not even aware of the presence of diabetes mellitus, linking the symptoms to hormonal changes in the body and other diseases. Diabetes mellitus has a negative impact on health and metabolic processes, so it is extremely important to diagnose it as early as possible and start treatment on time.
What is diabetes mellitus?
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic endocrine disease that develops as a result of insulin deficiency. The hormone, synthesized by the pancreas, is involved in breaking down sugar and transporting glucose through the blood to body tissues to provide the body with extra energy. In the case of insulin deficiency, blood sugar levels rise significantly, which has a negative effect on the whole body.
Causes of the disease
The disease most often occurs when the following causes or initial conditions:
- If the hereditary predisposition, especially if the father suffers from diabetes, children are more likely to develop the disease than those observed in the mother.
- Malnutrition - abuse of high-calorie, glucose and carbohydrate foods.
- With excess weight and second and subsequent rates of obesity, the probability of developing diabetes mellitus increases by 80%.
- Lack of physical activity, low human activity.
- Frequent stressful situations or prolonged depression. Severe shock or nervous breakdown can also cause an illness.
- Long-term use of certain groups of drugs, such as hormonal, diuretic or choleretic.
- Presence of a viral infection in the body (chicken pox, influenza, rubella).
Symptoms of the disease
Early warning signs include:
- Constant feeling of thirst, which does not disappear even after drinking a lot.
- Do not urinate often, especially at night. It creates a certain anxiety and worry, disrupts a certain lifestyle.
- Drops of urine remain on the canvas, resembling traces of dried starch (white and dense spots).
- The person complains of fatigue and drowsiness.
- Vision is sharply reduced, all objects appear blurred.
- It is often accompanied by tingling and numbness, especially in the palms and soles of the feet.
- Slow and very poor healing of the smallest and most insignificant wounds.
- The patient is concerned about itching, which is especially intense in the groin area.
- Sudden weight loss for no other reason.
- Strong hunger that is difficult to satisfy.
It should be remembered that many symptoms appear when there is already a lack of insulin in the body and the process of irreversible disruption of hormone production by the pancreas begins. It is very difficult to diagnose the disease at an early stage, so 80% of patients are unaware of the presence of the disease.
Types of diabetes
Despite some similarities, there are 2 types of diabetes that have characteristic differences.
- Type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent) is a disease characterized by the death of beta cells in the pancreas, the main role of which is the production of insulin. This process results in a hormone deficiency that causes diabetes. The reasons for the development of the disease include a violation of the immune system, the presence of a viral infection in the human body. As a rule, this type of disease affects children and adolescents. The only treatment for the disease is regular insulin injections throughout life.
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a disease that affects people over the age of thirty and develops as a result of the body, tissue cells and organs not accepting the insulin produced by the pancreas. Due to the body's inability to respond to hormones, glucose accumulates in the blood and causes negative processes in the body. If not treated in time, insulin production stops completely, because the increase in blood glucose levels has a negative effect on beta cells and contributes to their destruction.
Diabetes diagnosis
To diagnose the disease, you need to go to the clinic to see an endocrinologist who specializes in this disease. The following procedures and examinations are performed for examination:
- Fasting blood test for blood sugar levels. In some cases, a stress test is performed to determine glucose tolerance when the patient is at risk for disease.
- Conduct a urine test and determine the level of sugar. A urine test for acetone may also be performed.
- It is also important to perform an analysis for the establishment of glycated hemoglobin, which will help determine the average blood glucose in the last three months.
- It is important to remember that diabetes is a chronic disease that cannot be cured, so regular maintenance therapy is required to maintain a normal condition.
Treatment of the disease
The main treatment for type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent) is regular insulin injections. Thanks to modern medical devices, injections have become much easier, using insulin pumps and pens. The dose of insulin is determined individually for each patient and it is not recommended to change it yourself. The amount of insulin depends on the level of sugar in the blood, the presence of other concomitant diseases (eg, obesity), the patient's lifestyle.
In case of incomplete pancreatic insufficiency, the doctor may prescribe drugs that can stimulate hormone production in the human body. Other groups of drugs that suppress insulin resistance in the body and help maintain human health can be used to eliminate insulin resistance in the body. An important factor is to follow a special diet that selects foods with a minimum amount of sugar and carbohydrates, as well as stimulates the pancreas.
Disease prevention
It is important to follow the recommendations of an endocrinologist to prevent the development of the disease, which will help maintain good health and will not fall into the risk group. Preventive measures include:
- Regular blood sugar levels are especially recommended for those at risk. People over the age of forty should have this test regularly, at least twice a year.
- Changing eating habits, switching to a balanced diet dominated by healthy foods - low-glucose fruits, vegetables, fish, lean meats. In addition, it is recommended to follow a diet and divide the intake of food into three equal meals and several snacks.
- Perform simple daily exercises that will help normalize weight and reduce the likelihood of developing diabetes.
- Weight normalization will help reduce the likelihood of developing the disease.