Diabetes mellitus definition - types - symptoms - complications

 

 

 

Diabetes mellitus definition - types - symptoms - complications

Diabetes is a chronic, life-long disease that requires careful and continuous monitoring in terms of treatment and a balanced diet based on diet and exercise.

Definition of diabetes

It is a chronic condition that occurs when 1 - The pancreas does not produce enough insulin 2 - Or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.

 Insulin: A hormone produced by the pancreas that allows the body to take glucose from the blood and use it to produce the energy the body needs. Failure to produce insulin or its failure leads to an increase in the level of glucose in the blood and thus to the failure of various organs and tissues.

Types of diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (Type 1 diabetes mellitus)

It is also called insulin-dependent diabetes and juvenile diabetes and is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks and destroys the beta cells of the pancreas, which leads to a gradual decrease in the amount of insulin secreted by the pancreas.

This destruction process extends over months or years and eventually, the amount of insulin becomes too low, which leads to high blood glucose levels and the onset of diabetes symptoms.

The disease develops before the age of 35 and the age of those affected is generally between 10 and 16 years and constitutes 5 to 10% of the percentage of people with diabetes.

Treatment of type 1 diabetes requires that the patient be given insulin by injection or by pump, and this leads to a decrease in blood glucose and its control.

 

Type 2 diabetes (Type 2 diabetes mellitus)

It is called non-insulin-dependent diabetes and adult diabetes, in which the sensitivity of cells to insulin decreases, that is, the degree of response of the body's cells to it decreases, and this is called "insulin resistance" since the cells resist the hormone insulin, whose function is to introduce glucose into them.

Those with this type are usually obese, and therefore weight reduction and diet modification are the first treatment mechanisms, in addition to drugs, some of which stimulate insulin secretion from the pancreas and some of them increase the sensitivity of cells to 'hormones...

This type usually affects people over the age of 40 and makes up 90% of people with diabetes genetics contribute to it more than type 1 diabetes and obesity is one of the most important factors in developing it.

If the diabetic patient does not respond to required changes in food and movement, or glucose levels remain elevated, this can lead to an exacerbation of the disease, prompting the physician to move on to the next stages of insulin injection therapy.

Symptoms associated with diabetes

9 warning signs of diabetes

These are the first symptoms of diabetes:

1. frequent urination

2. Feeling very thirsty

3. Feeling very hungry even if the person eats as usual.

4. extreme fatigue

5. blurred vision

6. Delayed wound healing

7. Delayed recovery of the bruise

8. Weight loss even if a person eats more and this symptom indicates type 1 diabetes.

9. Tingling, pain or numbness in the hands and feet.

What are the symptoms of type 1 diabetes in an infant or child?

1. urinating frequently

2. Drink a lot of water

3. Weight loss

4. Tired out

5. The child may have been trained to go to the toilet and does not wet the bed at night, so he gets wet, because he urinates a lot and cannot control it.

 

In people with type 1 diabetes, the onset of symptoms can be very sudden, while in type 2 diabetes, symptoms tend to appear gradually and sometimes there are no signs, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Diabetes is a metabolic disease (a metabolic disorder) caused by a deficiency of the hormone insulin Insulin or an altered normal response of the body's cells to this hormone that introduces blood sugar (glucose) into the cells, causing blood glucose levels to rise. blood above the normal limit.

Insulin is a hormone produced by pancreatic beta-cell pancreatic beta cells, which release insulin into the bloodstream after eating, in response to high blood sugar.

 

Diabetes prevention

         8 ways to prevent diabetes

There are many factors behind diabetes, some of which we cannot control, but others are possible. Learn how to prevent diabetes.

 

Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects millions of people, and if left unchecked it can cause many serious conditions, and although there are some factors you cannot change, such as genes, age and others, there are many possible ways to prevent diabetes, know them now:

How to prevent diabetes

There are many ways to prevent diabetes, here are the most important of these methods and procedures that work to prevent diabetes as much as possible:

1.     Reduce sugar and refined carbohydrates in your diet

Eating foods that contain a lot of refined carbohydrates and sugar increases blood sugar and insulin levels, thus making people sick faster. The reason behind this is that your body quickly converts these foods into small sugar molecules, which are absorbed into the bloodstream.

The high blood sugar level stimulates the pancreas to produce insulin, a hormone that helps sugar get out of the bloodstream into the body's cells and over time this can lead to high blood sugar and insulin levels, which can lead to diabetes, so avoiding these foods is one way to prevent diabetes.

2.     You lose weight if you are overweight or obese

While not all people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese, most are, and even more so people with diabetes tend to have excess weight in the middle and around the organs around the abdomen such as the liver...

Excess fat in these areas promotes inflammation and insulin resistance, which greatly increases the risk of diabetes, and although losing a small amount of weight can help reduce this risk, it has been found that the more you lose. , the greater the benefits you will reap.

There are many healthy options for losing weight, including a low-carb diet, a plant-based diet, etc. However, choosing a dietary method that you can stick to in the long run is key to helping you maintain weight loss.

3.     Practice sports regularly

Regular physical activity can help prevent diabetes, as it increases insulin sensitivity in the cells, so when you exercise, the amount of insulin you need to keep your blood sugar in check is lower.

Many types of physical activity can reduce insulin resistance and blood sugar and include aerobic exercise, high-intensity exercise, strength training, etc. You can also choose the physical activity you like and you can practice it regularly. More frequently it leads to better insulin response and function.

If you do not exercise or do very little activity and sit for most of the day, you follow a sedentary lifestyle, and a relationship has been found between this type of lifestyle and the risk of diabetes.

4.     Drink water

Water is one of the best drinks you can drink, and if you drink it most of the time, this will help you avoid drinks that are high in sugar, preservatives, and other ingredients that can cause diabetes.

Additionally, drinking water instead of other beverages helps control blood sugar and insulin levels, and sugary drinks are associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and late-onset autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), a form of type 1 diabetes which occurs in people over the age of 18.

5.     Watch what you eat

First of all, it is important to pay attention to the amount of food you eat. You should avoid eating large amounts of food, especially if you are overweight. Eating a lot of food at once has been shown to cause high blood sugar and insulin levels in people at risk of developing diabetes, which also contributes to weight loss, which is also a risk factors.

It is important to pay attention not only to the quantity but also to the quality of the food you eat. A low carbohydrate diet can promote weight loss and can help lower blood sugar and insulin levels, increase sensitivity to insulin and reduce other factors that increase your risk of diabetes.

A high-fibre diet is also recommended, as it is good for gut health and contributes to weight management. Consuming fibre with each meal can help prevent spikes in blood sugar and insulin levels.

Be sure to cut down on your consumption of processed foods, as they are associated with health problems, including diabetes, and instead focus on whole foods with protective health effects.

6.     Improve Vitamin D Levels

Vitamin D is important for controlling blood sugar levels, as people who don't get enough vitamin D have been found to have a higher risk of developing all types of diabetes.

Good dietary sources of vitamin D usually include oily fish and cod liver oil, and sun exposure can increase blood vitamin D levels.

Most health organizations recommend keeping the blood vitamin D level at least 30 ng / ml (75 nmol / L) and it was found that people with higher blood vitamin D levels were less likely to develop diabetes. type 2 than those with higher levels of vitamin D in their blood who have lower blood levels.

7.     Drink coffee or tea

Including coffee or tea in your diet can help you avoid diabetes, as drinking coffee daily has been found to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, as coffee and tea contain antioxidants known as polyphenols which can help prevent disease. mellitus;

Additionally, green tea contains a unique antioxidant compound called epigallocatechin (EGCG) which has been shown to lower blood sugar from the liver and increase insulin sensitivity.

8.     Stop smoking

Smoking is closely related to the risk of developing diabetes and quitting smoking has been shown to reduce this risk over time, and smoking has been shown to cause or contribute to many serious health conditions, including heart disease, emphysema and lung cancer. . , prostate and digestive system.

There is also research linking smoking, secondhand smoke, and type 2 diabetes.

Treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes

Treatment for type 1 diabetes includes insulin injections or the use of an insulin pump, blood tests, and frequent carbohydrate counts. Treatment for type 2 diabetes primarily includes lifestyle changes and blood sugar control, as well as diabetes medications, insulin, or both.

·        Monitor your blood sugar. Depending on your treatment plan, your blood sugar can be checked and recorded four or more times a day if you are taking insulin. Close monitoring is the only way to ensure that the blood sugar level is kept within the target range. People with type 2 diabetes who are not taking insulin usually check their blood sugar much less frequently.

People on insulin therapy may choose to monitor their blood sugar levels with continuous blood glucose monitors. While this technology does not yet replace the meter, it helps reduce the number of finger pricks needed to check blood sugar levels and provides important insights into how blood sugar levels are.

Blood sugar levels can sometimes change unexpectedly, even with good management. With the help of your diabetes care team, you will learn how blood sugar changes in response to food, physical activity, medications, illness, alcohol consumption, stress, and, for women, fluctuations in hormone levels.

In addition to monitoring your blood sugar daily, your doctor will likely recommend testing A1C regularly measuring your average blood sugar level over the past two to three months.

Compared to repeated daily blood glucose checks, the A1C test better indicates how well your diabetes treatment plan is working in general. An elevated A1C level may indicate the need for a change in your oral medication regimen, insulin, or meal plan.

Your goal may vary in A1C level depending on your age and many other factors, such as; Other medical conditions you have. However, the American Diabetes Association recommends that most people with this disease work lower their A1C test levels to below 7%. Ask your doctor which A1C level is right for you.

·        Insulin. People with type 1 diabetes need insulin therapy to survive. Many people with type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes also need insulin treatment.

There are many types of insulin available and this includes options for short-acting insulin (regular insulin), fast-acting insulin, long-acting insulin, an intermediate-acting insulin. Depending on your needs, your doctor can prescribe a blend of insulins to use during the day and night.

Oral insulin cannot be taken to lower blood sugar; Because stomach enzymes interfere with the effect of insulin. Insulin is usually injected using a thin needle and syringe or an insulin pen, a device that looks like a large fountain pen.

An insulin pump is also an option for getting insulin. A pump is a mobile phone-sized device that fits your body. There is a tube that connects the insulin reservoir to a catheter that is inserted under the skin of the abdomen.

A tubeless and cordless pump is now available. A pump can be programmed to deliver specific amounts of insulin. It can be adjusted to deliver more or less insulin depending on meals, activity level and blood sugar level.

In September 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first artificial pancreas for people with type 1 diabetes for patients aged 14 and older. Another artificial pancreas was approved in December 2019. Regimens have since been approved for children over the age of two.

An artificial pancreas is also known as a closed-circuit insulin pump. The implant connects a continuous blood glucose monitor, a device that checks blood sugar levels every five minutes, to an insulin pump. The device automatically injects the right amount of insulin when the need arises, according to the monitor.

A large number of artificial (closed-loop) pancreas systems are currently undergoing clinical trials.

·        Oral and other medicines. Oral or injectable medications are also sometimes prescribed. Some diabetes medications stimulate the pancreas to produce and release more insulin. Some other drugs prevent the production and release of glucose from the liver, which indicates that you need less insulin to move the sugar into the cells.

However, some other drugs block the stomach or intestinal enzymes that break down carbohydrates or make tissues more sensitive to insulin. metformin (Glometza, Fortamet, and others) is the first drug prescribed for type 2 diabetes in general.

Another class of drugs called sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors may be used. These drugs work by preventing the kidneys from reabsorbing sugar into the blood. Instead, the sugar is excreted in the urine.

·        organ transplant. A pancreas transplant may be an option for some people with type 1 diabetes. Islet cell transplantation is also being studied. You won't need insulin therapy if you've had a successful pancreas transplant.

But transplants aren't always successful and pose a serious risk. It is necessary to take immunosuppressive drugs for life to avoid rejection of the transplanted organ. These drugs can cause serious side effects; So transplants are usually done for people with an uncontrollable type of diabetes or for those who also need a kidney transplant.

·        Bariatric surgery (bariatric medicine). Although this surgery is not a specific treatment for type 2 diabetes, people with type 2 diabetes who also have a BMI above 35 can benefit from this type of surgery. People who have undergone gastric bypass surgery have seen a significant improvement in their blood sugar levels. However, the long-term risks and benefits of this procedure for treating type 2 diabetes are not yet known.

Treatment of gestational diabetes

Controlling the blood sugar level is essential for keeping the baby healthy and avoiding complications during delivery. In addition to maintaining a healthy diet and exercise, the treatment plan may include monitoring the blood sugar level and, in some cases, the use of insulin or oral medications.

Your doctor will also check your blood sugar level during labour. If the blood sugar level is high, the baby could produce high insulin levels. Which can lead to low blood sugar soon after giving birth.

Pre-diabetes treatment

If you are prediabetes, healthy lifestyle choices can help you bring your blood sugar back to normal levels or at least prevent it from rising to the levels seen in type 2 diabetes. Maintaining a healthy weight through exercise and healthy eating can help. Exercising for at least 150 minutes a week and losing about 7% of your body weight can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.

Sometimes medicines like metformin (Glucophage, Glumetza, and other drugs) are an option if you are at high risk for diabetes, even if your prediabetes is getting worse or if you have cardiovascular disease, fatty liver, or polycystic ovary syndrome.

In other cases, cholesterol-lowering drugs, particularly statins, and drugs to control high blood pressure are needed. Your doctor may prescribe low-dose aspirin therapy to help prevent cardiovascular disease if you are at high risk. However, healthy lifestyle choices remain the primary choice.

Signs of a disorder in any type of diabetes

Due to the many factors that can affect the blood sugar level; Some problems may arise that require urgent medical attention, such as:

·        High blood sugar levels (hyperglycaemia). Your blood sugar level can rise for several reasons. Including overeating, tiredness or insufficient intake of hypoglycemic medications. Check your blood sugar level as directed by your doctor and watch for signs and symptoms of high blood sugar: urinary frequency, increased thirst, dry mouth, blurred vision, fatigue and nausea. If you have high blood sugar, you will need to change your diet, medications, or both.

·        Increased ketones in the urine (diabetic ketoacidosis). If your cells burn for energy, your body can start breaking down fat. This process produces toxic oxides called ketones. Watch out for loss of appetite, weakness, vomiting, fever, stomach pain, and fruity bad breath.

Excess ketones in the urine can be checked with an over-the-counter ketone test kit. See your doctor right away or see an urgent doctor if you develop ketosis. This condition is more common in people with type 1 diabetes.

·        Non-ketotic hyperosmolar syndrome with hyperglycemia. Signs and symptoms of this life-threatening condition include a blood sugar level above 600 mg / dL (33.3 mmol / L), dry mouth, extreme thirst, fever, sleepiness, confusion, blurred vision, and hallucinations. Hyperosmolar syndrome is caused by too much sugar in the blood which makes the blood sticky and syrupy.

This condition is more common in people with type 2 diabetes and is often preceded by a disease. Call your doctor or seek immediate medical attention if you have any signs or symptoms of this disease.

·        Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This condition occurs if the blood sugar level falls below the target range and is known as low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). If you take medications that laower blood sugar, including insulin, your blood sugar can drop for many reasons, including skipping a meal and exercising more than usual. However, low blood sugar is more likely to occur if you take hypoglycemic drugs that increase insulin secretion by the pancreas or if you are treated with too much insulin.

Check your blood sugar level regularly and watch for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia: sweating, chills, weakness, hunger, dizziness, headache, blurred vision, heart palpitations, irritability, slurred speech, sleepiness, confusion, fainting and convulsions. Low blood sugar is treated with carbohydrates that the body absorbs quickly, such as fruit juices or glucose tablets.