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 and complain of frequent emptying of the bladder. The disease is based on a lack of its own insulin against the background of increased glucose levels. Against the background of diabetes, appetite is often impaired, general well-being deteriorates, and wounds and ulcers do not heal well. The disease is chronic, characterized by continuous progression. Lack of therapy is fraught with stroke, kidney failure, heart attack, significant reduction in visual acuity. A sharp change in blood sugar can cause hyper or hypoglycemic coma.
Symptoms
Diabetes mellitus develops gradually, in the early stages there may be no specific symptoms. Violations are often discovered by chance during the next scheduled inspection.
The development of the disease causes the following complaints:
- thirst and dry mouth
- insomnia
- cramps in the lower extremities
- itching of the skin
- disability
- decrease in emotional lability
- abundant and frequent urination
- increased appetite
- cracks, dry skin and mucous membranes filled with ulcerative lesions
- decreased visual acuity.
Regeneration processes slow down: wounds, ulcers, cuts heal for a long time. Sensitivity in the legs decreases until complete alignment. Progression of obesity is possible. As the disease spreads, hair begins to fall out on the legs, and facial hair may increase. Xantomas form in the body - small yellow formations.
The genitourinary system often suffers: vulvovaginitis in women and balanoposthitis in women are often diagnosed. Metabolic processes are disrupted, protection is reduced, the body's resistance to infectious lesions is reduced. 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.
Reasons
Diabetes mellitus is accompanied by tissue insulin resistance. This means that they are less sensitive to the effects of insulin. At the same time, plasma insulin levels often remain in the normal range and blood sugar levels rise significantly. The disease is often diagnosed in elderly patients.
Among the predisposing factors that cause the violation:
- hereditary predisposition
- eating errors
- cardiovascular diseases
- chronic stress
- insufficiency of the adrenal cortex
- excess weight
Diabetes can develop against 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. Tissues in the body are less sensitive to insulin. There may be no specific symptoms. Violation is accompanied by excess body weight, increased blood pressure.
Patients report progression of fatty hepatosis of the liver, may develop areas of hyperpigmentation of the skin: black acanthosis. To determine a violation, it is necessary to perform a blood test for glucose, insulin, check the HOMA index. The basis of therapy is the correction of diet, moderate physical activity.
Overweight
People who are overweight are at risk: adipose tissue blocks the tissues' sensitivity to insulin. This is one of the main factors contributing to the development of the disease. Overweight is found in more than 89% of diabetics. The reason for such a violation may be the preservation of a sedentary lifestyle, hereditary predisposition, metabolic disorders. It is necessary to make medical corrections, study the psychological condition, choose a suitable diet.
Tumor of the pancreas
Tumors of the pancreas can cause diabetes in people of different ages. Typically, these neoplasms are benign and do not cause specific symptoms until they are large. Lack of timely therapy is fraught with the transformation of a benign tumor into a malignant tumor. At the same time, general signs of intoxication appear, compression of the surrounding organs is observed, blood vessels and nerve endings suffer.
The following diagnostic tests are performed to confirm the diagnosis:
- tumor markers
- CT scan
- Magnetic resonance imaging
- puncture
- biopsy
The treatment protocol is selected individually. In most cases, surgery is indicated. In addition to the malignancy of the pathological process, a course of chemotherapy and radiation therapy is prescribed.
Sedentary lifestyle
In the absence of motor activity, mitochondria, the energy stations of every cell in the body, suffer. This leads to dysfunction of the internal organs, deterioration of mood and a tendency to depression. Many diabetics are prone to stress management and rarely exercise. Even 15 minutes of daily exercise can activate metabolic processes, improve the sensitivity of cells to insulin and reduce the risk of diabetes. If daily exercise is not possible, walking at high speed in the fresh air is indicated. It is recommended to walk and spend at least half an hour a day in the fresh air.
Cardiovascular diseases
Under the influence of cardiovascular disease, tissue sensitivity to insulin decreases and the risk of developing diabetes mellitus increases.
The greatest vigilance should be shown by people diagnosed with such disorders:
- atherosclerosis
- arterial hypertension
- coronary artery disease.
IHD is a myocardial injury that occurs when there is not enough blood supply to the heart muscle. It is the most common cause of death, more than 75%. It is most often observed in patients with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hypodynamics, obesity, as well as in smokers. It is important to treat the root causes of the disease in a timely manner and to be regularly examined by a cardiologist.
Malnutrition
An important factor is the diet of people with diabetes. They tend to overeat when they suffer from malnutrition. Often there is a lack of such basic substances:
- minerals including chromium, selenium, manganese, iron, zinc, copper
- polyunsaturated fatty acids - healthy oils found in wild fish, oil, quality cold pressed vegetable oils
- protein, a 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 have a negative effect on the intestinal microflora, reducing the body's protective properties. When too much sugar and carbohydrates enter the body, it causes an increase in glucose 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, a complex effect on the root cause of diabetes is required. Patients are often prescribed hormonal medications: courses or regularly. It is also important to eliminate the source of stress and normalize sleep. To ensure the normal functioning of the endocrine glands, it is important to ensure adequate intake of iodine, selenium, zinc and iron.
Infectious diseases
Manifestations of diabetes mellitus are often observed with long-term progressive infectious disease:
- herpes
- viral hepatitis
- herpes
Chronic infection weakens the body's defenses, making it more susceptible to other diseases. The initial manifestation of hepatitis can be a sign of 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
Some groups of drugs can also cause diabetes in the elderly or middle-aged.
The risk group includes people who accept:
- synthetic corticosteroids
- diuretic drugs
- cytostatics
Medications can only be taken as prescribed by a doctor. If medications 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 not possible to independently prescribe or discontinue medications, as this may worsen the course of the underlying disease for which the medications described are recommended.
Chronic insufficiency of the adrenal cortex
Adrenal insufficiency often leads to the development of diabetes. This occurs in patients with insufficient hormonal secretion of the adrenal glands. Characteristic symptoms: bronze pigmentation on the skin, mucous membranes, feeling of weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of consciousness. Water and electrolyte disorders are accompanied by 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 is fraught with the following 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 extremities.
- Diabetic polyneuropathy, a condition that affects 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, high-quality medical care.
- Diabetic nephropathy disrupts the blood supply to the blood vessels of the kidneys and increases the likelihood of developing kidney failure.
- Diabetic coma is the most dangerous complication resulting in death.
Hyperglycemia occurs when there is a significant increase in blood glucose. It is accompanied by weakness, general malaise, anorexia, headache. If appropriate measures are not taken, the patient begins to feel unwell, the vomit has the smell of acetone. Relieves pain in the abdomen, lowers blood pressure. It is important to start treatment for insulin resistance / diabetes mellitus on time and monitor blood glucose levels regularly to prevent dangerous complications. It is impossible to choose drugs independently, because they do not have the desired therapeutic effect and can lead to complications.
Which doctor to consult
It is recommended to consult an endocrinologist at the first signs of diabetes. The doctor will make a comprehensive diagnosis using laboratory and instrumental methods, determine the degree of development of the disorder. In the future, you may need to consult other doctors: cardiologist, nutritionist, oncologist, gynecologist. It is important to follow all the doctor's instructions and avoid self-medication.
Diagnostics
To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor makes a comprehensive diagnosis:
- blood glucose on an empty stomach
- ketone bodies and sugar in the urine
- glycosylated hemoglobin
- C-peptide
- insulin
- glucose tolerance test.
Special test strips are used to determine the sugar in the urine. Ultrasound examination of the kidneys, rheovasography of the extremities, as well as examination of the structural and functional condition of the brain are recommended for the timely detection of complications of diabetes mellitus.
Treatment
The treatment protocol is selected individually for each patient. At the same time, age, accompanying chronic, somatic diseases are taken into account. Therapy is carried out throughout life, the patient should be under the constant supervision of an endocrinologist. In the first stage, they review the diet and reduce the number of meals.
The optimal meal is twice a day without snacks. Healthy fats, proteins, and carbohydrates can be obtained from breakfast vegetables. Bread products, sugar sources and other simple carbohydrates are completely eliminated from the diet. The portions are small, providing saturation due to the balanced composition and fat content.
Drug correction involves the use of the following groups of drugs:
- hypoglycemic agents
- drugs to restore blood circulation and microcirculation
- Medications for high blood pressure (if indicated)
The treatment regimen is selected 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 approach to lifestyle adjustment and follow all doctor's recommendations.
Patients with diabetes receive moderate physical activity. This prevents further progression of the pathological process and the development of complications. Recommended daily walks, yoga, swimming, gymnastics, breathing exercises. The best option - classes under the supervision of an instructor. It is recommended to discuss the volume of loads with a doctor in advance.
Prevention
To prevent diabetes, it is important to control your diet, normalize your weight, eliminate the source of stress, and restore your work, rest, and sleep patterns. It is important to review your diet, include enough 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.
Special attention is paid to physical activity: daily walks in the fresh air, jogging, brisk walking, swimming and any other suitable, possible types of physical activity. Physical inactivity is unacceptable and can aggravate the course of insulin resistance. Breathing exercises are useful: pranayama, Buteyko breath, to ensure adequate oxygen supply to the tissues.
People and risk groups are advised to monitor glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin and insulin levels. Refuse self-medication at the first sign of a disorder and consult an experienced endocrinologist.
The prognosis is generally favorable for patients who seek immediate medical attention and reconsider their lifestyle. They can live a long, quality life without facing dangerous complications of the disease. Lack of therapy leads to a decrease in life expectancy and acute / chronic complications.