Diabetes – types, causes, symptoms, treatment [EXPLAINED]

Proven content

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease caused by an impaired insulin secretion. Too little insulin in the body affects the way glucose is used by the body’s cells, which causes an increase in blood glucose levels (hyperglycaemia) and the excretion of glucose with the urine. Diabetes – what is it? How is it treated? Is it curable? Below you will find all the information.

Diabetes mellitus – definition

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia resulting from impaired insulin secretion and / or action. Insufficient insulin secretion and / or decreased tissue response to insulin impair the complex action of insulin in the target tissues, resulting in disturbance of carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism. The patient may have impaired insulin secretion and function.

Types of diabetes

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diabetes is classified into four types:

1. type 1 diabetes (primary diabetes, adolescent diabetes, insulin-dependent diabetes),
2. type 2 diabetes (diabetes mellitus of mature age, non-insulin dependent diabetes, acquired diabetes),
3. gestational diabetes
4. other specific types of diabetes.

Type II diabetes is the most common form of this disease and accounts for approximately 80–90% of all diabetes cases. It is mainly afflicted by adults, usually after the age of 40, and it is conducive to chronic, difficult to heal, recurrent inflammation (purulent).

Diabetes mellitus – causes of its occurrence

Unfortunately, the causes of diabetes are not yet fully understood. Genetic and environmental factors play a fundamental role in its creation. Disorders of carbohydrate metabolism in diabetes are caused by a low amount of insulin in the body, and therefore a deficiency of the hormone produced by pancreatic beta cells.

The lack of insulin causes the glucose metabolism in the body to be impaired. First of all, there is too much penetration of glucose through cell membranes into the interior of cells, activation of its various intracellular transformations, as well as erroneous participation in protein synthesis and inhibition of fat breakdown processes. Glucose is a substance that is essential in the body, it is the main, readily available source of energy. Hence, disturbances in its transformations have systemic consequences.

Type 1 diabetes is autoimmune disease. As a result of the destruction by autoantibodies, the insulin-secreting beta cells of the pancreas are damaged. Consequently, this leads to a situation where the pancreas does not deliver insulin or transfers it too little. Then the body cannot absorb the glucose from the blood and the cells start to starve even though the blood sugar is constantly too high. Unfortunately, the root cause of this phenomenon is still unknown. It is known, however, that in this type of diabetes, the predisposition to develop is inherited, not the disease itself. Type 1 diabetes is also caused by acquired immune mechanisms (caused by viral infections) that target the destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.

Type 1 diabetes has a kind of subtype – LADA diabetes. It is also referred to as young adult diabetes, late-onset type 1 diabetes, and immunologically positive insulin-dependent diabetes. This type of diabetes very often develops only after the age of 30, which is why it is referred to as latent diabetes. immune system error, so – as an autoimmune disease

Type 2 diabetes is acquired diabetes and can have two causes. First, it may be due to insulin resistance (cells have a reduced insulin sensitivity which reduces their use of insulin) cells and tissues. Secondly, it may be the result of insufficient insulin production by the pancreas. The blood sugar concentration is too high in this form of the disease, because the pancreas does not release insulin as needed by the sick body. Moreover, unlike type 1 diabetes, this type of diabetes is more strongly associated with heredity. Risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes also include:

1. age and gender – women are slightly more prone to type 2 diabetes, and the risk increases with age in both genders,
2. overweight and obesity,
3. inflammations,
4. hypertension,
5. too little sleep
6. pancreatic cancer,
7. overactive thyroid gland
8. Cushing’s syndrome,
9. stress,
10. professional overload,
11. incorrect diet,
12. gestational diabetes,
13. taking certain medications (β-blockers, antipsychotics, statins, glucocorticoids, thiazide),
14. exposure to chemicals.

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are known as overt diabetes.

Diabetes in pregnancy may occur as pre-pregnancy diabetes (when a woman had diabetes before pregnancy) or as hyperglycemia first diagnosed during pregnancy – in women who were previously healthy. It can occur in any pregnant woman, but the most vulnerable are overweight women and those with a family history of type 2 diabetes. The risk also increases with age and with subsequent pregnancies (especially if the previous one had elevated sugar levels).

Other specific types of diabetes – are caused by genetic defects in β-cell function or insulin function (e.g. monogenic diabetes), diseases of the exocrine pancreas, endocrinopathies, certain drugs or chemicals, infections, rare immune processes, and genetic syndromes accompanying diabetes.

If your blood sugar is abnormal, take care of your blood sugar level. Order Sugar today – a mixture of herbs that you can currently find on Medonet Market at a promotional price.

Diabetes symptoms

Due to the lack of insulin in the body, it is difficult for glucose to pass from the blood to the cells. Therefore, one of the main symptoms is a very high blood glucose level. As unused it accumulates in excess also in other fluids and in the intercellular space. The effect of a more significant increase in blood glucose is the penetration of glucose into the urine, which is not found in physiological conditions, i.e. glucosuria. We also call this phenomenon glycosuria.

Glucose metabolism disorders cause problems in the metabolism of lipids, i.e. lipids. In the case of insulin deficiency and the inability to use glucose as an energy source, fats are excessively broken down and the concentration of their transformation products in the form of harmful chemical compounds called ketone bodies increases. The above-mentioned excess of ketone bodies causes acidification of the body (the so-called diabetic acidosis) and has a negative (toxic) effect on the central nervous system. While urine analysis then shows the presence of acetone in it as a sign of acidosis and an excess of ketone bodies in the body.

The consequence of these biochemical changes is a high thirst (drinking even a dozen liters of beverages a day) and a significant increase in the daily volume of urine excreted. The body has to dissolve the amount of unused glucose in something, and then excrete it outside in the form of polyuria. Thus, when the supply of fluids is restricted in diabetes, the body’s tissues become dehydrated and body weight is lost.

Diabetes can therefore be suspected in people who are thirsty and have a large amount of urine daily.

Another negative effect of the disorders is a bad effect on the endothelium of blood vessels, favoring the faster development of atherosclerotic lesions and disturbances in the blood supply to various tissues and organs.

Further symptoms suggesting diabetes include progressive weight loss and dehydration, progressive weakness, decreased immunity in the form of recurrent infections and purulent skin lesions, rapidly progressive visual impairment, nagging itching at the urethral opening (sometimes also in men and labia). in women), etc.

Due to the advanced vascular and neurological changes in diabetic patients, especially in the elderly, we can observe blood supply disorders (feeling of cold feet) calf cramps when walking and sensory disturbance surface of the lower limbs, the so-called two-phase urination and the weakening of erection and potency in men.

The result of progressive vascular changes in the glomeruli is renal failure that develops over the years. Heat, infections, surgery or other injuries usually aggravate these carbohydrate disorders. As an expression of worsening biochemical disorders, there are:

1. nausea,
2. vomiting,
3. stomach pain,
4. worsening drowsiness up to and including coma, etc.

The main symptoms of type 1 diabetes are:

1. high thirst and very frequent urination
2. weight loss, despite a good appetite,
3. drowsiness, general body weakness,
4. double vision or blurred vision.

The main symptoms of type 2 diabetes are:

1. high thirst and frequent urination,
2. weight loss, despite a good appetite,
3. irritability, apathy,
4. blurred vision
5. drowsiness and general fatigue,
6. easy and quick bruising,
7. difficulty healing wounds,
8. recurrent inflammation of the skin, gums, bladder,
9. dry and itchy skin.

In the case of type 2 diabetes, it should also be noted that it may appear in the patient excess insulin (hyperinsulinemia). The body then produces too much insulin in the blood. Hyperinsulinemia is closely related to the concept of insulin resistance, i.e. the insensitivity of cells to insulin. Usually, patients with hyperinsulinemia also have insulin resistance. It is difficult to estimate which of these conditions develops first. Excess insulin symptoms:

1. increased sleepiness,
2. general breakdown and fatigue,
3. increased levels of triglycerides,
4. high blood pressure
5. elevated cholesterol,
6. problems with concentration,
7. increased levels of uric acid in the blood.

Diabetes diagnosis

Diabetes mellitus is a disease that can be asymptomatic for many years, especially type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is diagnosed only once, usually at follow-up. Only a doctor can diagnose diabetes.

Screening for diabetes should be performed every 3 years in anyone over 45 years of age and, regardless of age, annually in the following risk groups:

1. overweight or obese [BMI ≥25 kg / m2 and / or waist circumference> 80 cm (women); > 94 cm (men)],
2. with diabetes in the family (parents or siblings),
3. not physically active,
4. from an environmental or ethnic group more likely to develop diabetes,
5. who in the previous test were diagnosed with pre-diabetes,
6. in women with a history of gestational diabetes,
7. in women who gave birth to a child weighing> 4 kg,
8. with hypertension (≥ 140/90 mm Hg),
9. with dyslipidemia [concentration of HDL cholesterol <40 mg / dl (<1,0 mmol / l) and / or triglycerides> 150 mg / dl (> 1,7 mmol / l)],
10. in women with polycystic ovary syndrome,
11. with a disease of the cardiovascular system.

Symptoms suggesting the possibility of diabetes mellitus with significant hyperglycaemia:

1. severe diuresis (polyuria)
2. increased thirst,
3. weight loss unexplained by deliberate weight loss.

Principles of recognizing carbohydrate disorders:

1. determination of blood glucose concentration in venous blood (random glycemia) at the time of diagnosing symptoms of hyperglycaemia – if it is ≥ 200 mg / dl (≥ 11,1 mmol / l), this result is the basis for the diagnosis of diabetes,
2. in the absence of symptoms or in the presence of symptoms and random blood glucose <200 mg / dL (<11,1 mmol / L), fasting blood glucose should be determined twice (each test should be performed on a different day); if the blood glucose is ≥ 2 mg / dl (≥ 2 mmol / l) twice - diabetes is diagnosed,
3. in the absence of symptoms of hyperglycaemia and random glycemia ≥ 200 mg / dl (11,1 mmol / l), fasting blood glucose should be determined and if it is ≥ 126 mg / dl (7,0 mmol / l) – diabetes is diagnosed,
4. if fasting blood glucose is 100-125 mg / dl (5,6-6,9 mmol / l) once or twice, and if fasting blood glucose is below 100 mg / dl (5,6 mmol / l) there is reasonable suspicion of impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes mellitus, perform an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). 

Testing blood glucose (or glycemia) is the basic test for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes. In the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, it is recommended to measure fasting glucose in venous blood (collected 8–14 hours after the last meal). Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is also performed as part of the diagnosis. This is a three point test of plasma glucose on samples taken at 0, 1 and 2 hours after administration of 75 grams of glucose.

The test is used in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus or conditions predisposing to the development of diabetes. After administration of glucose, changes in its level in the blood of the examined person (glycemia) are observed, related to the rate of insulin secretion and glucose absorption by the body’s cells. The oral glucose tolerance test enables the diagnosis of metabolic disease: diabetes mellitus and gestational diabetes. After administration of glucose, insulin is secreted from the pancreas in two stages – after a few minutes, the already accumulated reserve, and then the pool created on an ongoing basis (up to 2 hours after glucose administration). The test is performed in the morning, after a night’s sleep, on an empty stomach, and 8 to 12 hours after eating the last meal.

The diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is also based on the observation of glucose and acetone levels in the urine. Glucose and ketone bodies (acetone) can be found in the urine by test strips. When blood glucose reaches> 180 mg / dL (10 mmol / L), it is excreted in the urine, which can be seen from the change in color of the test strip. A detailed description of the test is included in the instructions included in the package.

Diabetes mellitus – treatment

Treatment of diabetes as a chronic disease takes time. Successful results require close and informed collaboration between the patient and the physician.

How to Treat Diabetes Currently, her therapy includes:

1. insulin (insulins) to make up for its deficiencies in the body by injections,
2. orally administered drugs which stimulate the intracorporeal beta cells of the pancreatic islets to produce their own endogenous insulin.

Treatment of diabetes is still symptomatic treatment.

The goals of long-term diabetes management are:

1. the patient’s well-being,
2. obtaining the so-called normoglycemia – physiological blood glucose level,
3. help in achieving the patient’s personal goals and intentions,
4. obtaining the possibility of realizing the social aspirations of a diabetic.

Diabetes – how to treat it in the long term? Primarily, this treatment is based on:

1. proper diet,
2. hypoglycaemic treatment,
3. psychotherapy of the patient in order to accept the disease,
4. treatment with appropriate physical effort to increase metabolism and thus more carbohydrate burning,
5. health education to help self-control by measuring blood glucose and urine sugar (so-called glycosuria) by patients themselves at home using dry paper tests.

Tents:

1. infectious,
2. inflammatory,
3. feverish
4. surgical procedures, etc.,

increase carbohydrate disorders. Therefore, during this period, special supervision of the patient is necessary, frequent control laboratory tests and probably changes in insulin dosage. After taking insulin, the patient should absolutely consume the prescribed meal. If there is no such possibility (e.g. he must remain on an empty stomach until the examination), it is better, exceptionally, not to take this single dose of insulin or to delay it.

Patients with type II diabetes (so-called non-insulin-dependent diabetes), relatively short-lived, with low insulin requirements, may use some oral preparation instead of insulin. Taking oral medications instead of insulin, the type of preparation and the dosage rules are determined each time by the doctor.

These preparations are, among others, activate undamaged pancreatic beta cells to produce endogenous insulinas well as tissue utilization of insulin in the processes of assimilation and cellular metabolism of glucose. During periods of infection and inflammation, preparation or cover for surgeries, etc., it is recommended that you periodically switch your oral medications to insulin. Only a doctor can change drugs.

Various conditions that cause diabetes need medical supervision, especially frequent monitoring of blood and urine glucose levels, and very frequent correction of the doses of drugs used by the doctor. They usually lead to “dysregulation” of diabetes. For example, purulent infections significantly increase the need for insulin, as pus breakdown products render insulin inactive.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus – treatment

Treatment of type 1 diabetes is based on blood sugar control and insulin injection. Diabetes must also follow a proper diet and exercise.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus – treatment

In the first phase of the disease, it is required to take appropriate oral anti-diabetic drugs, and in the later phases of treatment, insulin is required. In addition, it is required to change the diet, introduce physical activity and reduce body weight.

Diabetes in pregnant women – treatment

Diabetes is worse in pregnant women. Pregnant women must be under special supervision and undergo frequent medical check-ups. Moreover, should introduce a healthy diet and minimize sugar consumption. The primary goal of GDM therapy is to maintain blood sugar levels at levels found in healthy pregnant women.

Women diagnosed with gestational diabetes must regularly – min. 4 times a day – perform self-measurements of blood sugar, i.e. measurements of blood sugar levels. In uncontrolled diabetes, they usually give birth to relatively large children. Newborns of diabetic women should be given special care by a pediatrician due to their reduced immunity. Hence, births of women suffering from diabetes should always take place in pregnancy pathology departments.

As an auxiliary in the treatment of diabetes, you can use supplements and drink herbal teas. We recommend a set for diabetics consisting of:

1. organic tea recommended for diabetes,
2. dietary supplement for diabetics in capsules,
3. white mulberry leaf tea.

Diabetic outpatient clinics

People suffering from diabetes can go to diabetes clinics, to which they should visit regularly at the recommended times for periodic medical and laboratory checks in order to properly prevent or delay the occurrence and development of the so-called late complications (sequelae) of diabetes. Appropriate treatment and selection of the dosage of antidiabetic drugs is possible if we frequently test and control the concentration of glucose in blood and urine.

Cukrzyków goes to the appropriate sanatorium centers, the largest of which are in Krynica and Kołobrzeg, in order to develop and consolidate proper eating habits and regular dosing of preparations. Diagnosing diabetes requires frequent laboratory blood and urine tests.

Nutrition principles in diabetes

An important factor necessary in effective diabetes is a proper diet, adapted to the physiological needs of the body and the appropriate body weight of the patient. It should be mentioned that the effectiveness and durability of treatment depends on the systematic use of prescribed medications by a diabetic, but also on adherence to the dietary rules prescribed by the doctor.

The patient must be aware that both the daily dose of insulin (in patients taking insulin) and the dose of an oral antidiabetic preparation (in patients treated with oral agents) have been determined on the basis of laboratory tests and the recommended supply of food products.

A diabetic’s diet should be written down and calculated taking into account the patient’s body weight. Patients with diabetes cannot introduce any freedom in eating, i.e. they cannot arbitrarily change the time of meals, omit some of them, not eat fully prepared meals, radically change their composition, etc. From a medical point of view, a diabetic patient should not be hungry, but also should not arbitrarily, without the knowledge of a doctor, eat additional meals or significantly change their composition.

For example, families may only bring other extra meals to the hospital in exceptional circumstances. However, you should always report this to your doctor so that he can take this into account when determining the dose of your diabetes medications. The only correct solution to this problem is that the type and amount of food provided are similar on a daily basis. In the section devoted to dietetics, the reader will find energy substitutes for food products, which will facilitate the fulfillment of this basic assumption. The so-called postprandial glycemic control, which involves taking a next-generation drug before main meals. Acting briefly and quickly, this drug does not stimulate insulin secretion between meals. Therefore, patients do not have to remember about the need to eat additional meals during the day.

Try the herbal tea recommended for diabetes, which will help control blood sugar levels. If you have an overwhelming desire for sweets, go for those with no added sugar. We recommend, for example, Chocolate with hazelnuts without added sugar Zero Torras 150g, Bitter organic chocolate 70% Torras cocoa 100g with various flavors or Bitter chocolate with a high cocoa content without added sugar Zero Torras 100g. You can find these and many other chocolates suitable for diabetics at Medonet Market.

State of hypoglycaemia

Acute hypoglycaemia is the most common complication of insulin use. It is a very life-threatening condition, often resulting from inaccurate measurement of insulin before injection (usually an overdose), or not having fully consumed the meal following the injection of insulin. There is then a significant reduction in blood glucose, manifested by a feeling of severe general weakness, heavy sweating, increased heart rate, dilated pupils, drop in blood pressure, trembling hands, and sometimes whole body convulsions. In the event of further deepening of hypoglycaemia, there is a loss of consciousness and the so-called hypoglycemic shock.

People with diabetes can recognize the causes of their discomfort at an early stage. In this case, drinking heavily sweetened water, tea, compote or the consumption of sugar improves the mood and prevents further deterioration of hypoglycaemia.

Diabetics taking insulin should have sugar / sweets with themto correct your glucose deficiency with sugar if you do feel hypoglycaemia.

If you have diabetes you feel faint or unconscious, an ambulance should be called urgently. The doctor will then make the appropriate diagnosis, and in the event of hypoglycaemia, he will administer intravenous glucose and transport the patient to the hospital to regulate his carbohydrate metabolism.

Diabetic patients receiving insulin should have a card in their wallet or on their breasts stating that they have diabetes and must take insulin (type, dose). This is a convenience for bystanders who, in the event of a diabetic fainting, will quickly find out about the situation.

Diabetic coma

Diabetic coma is a very serious and life-threatening complication. It is a state of profound metabolic disturbances in the bodyresulting from severe and usually prolonged insulin deficiency or excess in the body. Sometimes it can be the first symptom of diabetes. However, it usually occurs in people diagnosed with diabetes who, for one reason or another, have developed a profound metabolic disorder, acidification of the body with ketone bodies (see above), or toxic brain damage.

Loss of consciousness in a diabetic (hyperglycemic) coma, i.e. with increased blood glucose levels, is usually preceded by a feeling of thirst (increased), polyuria, nausea, vomiting and sometimes abdominal pain. The patient’s breathing with acidosis is slow and deep. Diabetic hypoglycemic coma is usually preceded by hypoglycaemia. Patients of this type should be hospitalized as soon as possible.

Vascular complications in diabetes

Vascular complications in diabetes occur during its duration. They are caused by the accelerated development of atherosclerosis in the major arteries and the thickening of the capillary walls.

1. Macrovascular disease usually manifests itself in arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis, disturbances in blood flow through peripheral arterial vessels, which in turn lead to ischemic heart disease in the form of e.g. a stroke.
2. Microangiopathy is disturbed blood flow and tissue impairment. which is characterized by: retinopathy, neuropathy, glomerulosclerosis, tissue gangrene.
3. Glomerular sclerosis is characterized by: increasing loss of protein (albumin) in the urine, progressive impairment of kidney filtration (detoxification) function, fundus degeneration, hypertension, etc.
4. Diabetic retinopathy are degenerative-vascular changes in the retina of the eye that, over the years, lead to eye damage, and even in some cases to loss of vision.
5. Tissue gangrenous changes – necrosis, ulcerations (toes, heels). They may be dry or wet necrosis, and may also expand.

In the initial stage of circulatory disorders, without ulceration and infection of wounds, it is necessary to:

1. wear soft, warm and comfortable shoes,
2. do not overexert your lower limbs, i.e. lie down and rest a lot,
3. remember about dietary and pharmacological treatment of diabetes,
4. remember to take the recommended preparations.

In the period of fully developed diabetic foot, i.e. with existing gangrene and ulcerations, it is recommended to:

1. taking best care of the proper treatment of diabetes,
2. nurturing a diabetic foot to reduce the risk of wound infection (feet should be checked every day, stockings and socks should be changed every day), 
3. quitting the cigarette addiction,
4. walking in comfortable shoes. not going barefoot!
5. covering oozing ulcers with gauze,
6. applying moist compresses with the addition of antiseptics to infected and contaminated wounds, accompanied by an inflammatory reaction.

Nursing process – diabetes

The process of nursing diabetics should be based on the nurse’s knowledge of the supplementation of:

1. the patient’s knowledge deficit regarding the use of a diabetic diet,
2. patient’s knowledge deficit regarding the rules of taking insulin preparations,
3. the patient’s lack of knowledge about the intensity of exercise in the course of diabetes,
4. knowledge about the risk of hypoglycaemia in the course of diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus – prognosis

The prognosis of diabetes depends on its type, age of onset, duration and systematic adherence to the recommended rules, lifestyle, treatment and diet. Outpatient treatment facilities for people suffering from diabetes promote proper diagnosis and systematic treatment monitoring. They should register, carry out systematic checks and, if necessary, periodically adjust the treatment. In case of complications of diabetes, patients require hospitalization.

Diabetes prevention

How to prevent diabetes, especially in the presence of genetic and family predisposition? It is not easy, but it is also not impossible. Above all, you should:

1. eliminate a large amount of carbohydrates from the diet, especially in middle age (over 40) and in the elderly,
2. in patients with genetic predisposition to diabetes, avoid circumstances that may cause it (e.g. obesity, alcohol intoxication, mechanical injuries, especially of the abdomen, liver diseases),
3. counteract psychological trauma,
4. avoid excessive use of corticosteroid therapy, diphenylhydantoin and thiazide diuretics, which may accelerate the disclosure of previously latent diabetes,
5. do physical activity, preferably systematically – it also prevents obesity.

The stabilizing effect on blood sugar levels is demonstrated by the Gymnema Sylvestre 400 mg dietary supplement, which can be ordered on the Medonet Market platform.

The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.Now you can use e-consultation also free of charge under the National Health Fund.