Diabetes mellitus is a disease that occurs due to partial or complete insufficiency of the hormone insulin. The work of cells producing this hormone is disrupted by several external or internal factors.

The causes of diabetes vary depending on its form. In total, 10 factors can be identified that contribute to the occurrence of this disease in humans. It should be borne in mind that when several factors are combined at the same time, the likelihood that the symptoms of the disease will appear increases significantly.

genetic predisposition

The likelihood of developing diabetes mellitus (DM) increases more than 6 times if the family has close relatives suffering from this disease. Scientists have discovered antigens and protective antigens that form a predisposition to the onset of this disease. A certain combination of such antigens can dramatically increase the likelihood of an illness.

It must be understood that it is not the disease itself that is inherited, but the predisposition to it. Diabetes of both types is transmitted polygenically, which means that without the presence of other risk factors, the disease cannot manifest itself.

The predisposition to type 1 diabetes is passed down through the generation, in a recessive way. To type 2 diabetes, the predisposition is transmitted much easier - along the dominant path, the symptoms of the disease may appear in the next generation. An organism that has inherited such traits ceases to recognize insulin, or it begins to be produced in smaller quantities. Also, it has been proven that the risk of a child inheriting the disease increases if it was diagnosed in relatives on the paternal side. It has been proven that the development of the disease in representatives of the Caucasian race is significantly higher than in Hispanics, Asians or blacks.

Obesity

The most common risk factor for DM is obesity. So, the 1st degree of obesity increases the chances of getting sick by 2 times, the 2nd - by 5, the 3rd - by 10 times. You need to be especially careful for people whose body mass index exceeds 30. It should be borne in mind that abdominal obesity is common
a symptom of diabetes, and occurs not only in women, but also in men.

There is a direct relationship between the risk level of diabetes and waist size. So, in women it should not exceed 88 cm, in men - 102 cm. Obesity disrupts the ability of cells to interact with insulin at the level of adipose tissues, which subsequently leads to their partial or complete immunity. It is possible to reduce the impact of this factor and the possibility of developing diabetes, if you start an active fight against excess weight and abandon a sedentary lifestyle.

Various diseases

The likelihood of acquiring diabetes mellitus increases significantly in the presence of diseases that contribute to pancreatic dysfunction. These
diseases entail the destruction of beta cells that help produce insulin. Physical trauma can also disrupt the functioning of the gland. Radiation exposure also leads to a disruption in the functioning of the endocrine system, as a result of which, the former liquidators of the Chernobyl accident are at risk of developing diabetes.

Reduce the body's sensitivity to insulin can: coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension. It has been proven that sclerotic changes in the vessels of the pancreatic apparatus contribute to the deterioration of its nutrition, which in turn causes disruptions in the production and transportation of insulin. Autoimmune diseases can also contribute to the appearance of diabetes: chronic insufficiency of the adrenal cortex and autoimmune thyroiditis.

Arterial hypertension and diabetes are considered interrelated pathologies. The appearance of one disease often entails symptoms of the appearance of the second. Hormonal diseases can also lead to the development of secondary diabetes mellitus: diffuse toxic goiter, Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome, pheochromocytoma, acromegaly. Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome is more common in women than in men.

Infection

A viral infection (mumps, chicken pox, rubella, hepatitis) can provoke the development of the disease. In this case, the virus is the impetus for the onset of symptoms of diabetes. Penetrating into the body, the infection can lead to disruption of the pancreas or to the destruction of its cells. So, in some viruses, the cells are in many ways similar to the cells of the pancreas. During the fight against infection, the body may mistakenly destroy pancreatic cells. Passed rubella increases the likelihood of the disease by 25%.

Medication

Some drugs have a diabetogenic effect.
Symptoms of diabetes may appear after taking:

• anticancer drugs;
• glucocorticoid synthetic hormones;
• parts of antihypertensive drugs;
• diuretics, in particular thiazide diuretics.

Long-term use of medicines for asthma, rheumatic and skin diseases, glomerulonephritis, coloproctitis and Crohn's disease can lead to symptoms of diabetes. Also, the intake of dietary supplements containing a large amount of selenium can provoke the appearance of this disease.

Alcoholism

A common factor that provokes the development of diabetes in men and women is alcohol abuse. The systematic intake of alcohol contributes to the death of beta cells.

Pregnancy

Carrying a child is a huge stress for the female body. During this difficult period for many women, gestational diabetes can develop. Pregnancy hormones produced by the placenta increase blood sugar levels. The load on the pancreas increases and it becomes unable to produce enough insulin.

The symptoms of gestational diabetes are similar to the normal course of pregnancy (thirst, fatigue, frequent urination, etc.). For many women, it goes unnoticed until it leads to serious consequences. The disease causes great harm to the body of the expectant mother and child, but, in most cases, disappears immediately after childbirth.

After pregnancy, some women are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The risk group includes:

• women who have had gestational diabetes;
• those who, during the bearing of a child, had a body weight that significantly exceeded the permissible norm;
• women who have given birth to a child weighing more than 4 kg;
• mothers who gave birth to children with congenital malformations;
• those who had a frozen pregnancy or a stillborn baby.

Lifestyle

It has been scientifically proven that people who lead a sedentary lifestyle are 3 times more likely to develop symptoms of diabetes than more active people. In people with low physical activity, the use of glucose by tissues decreases over time. A sedentary lifestyle contributes to obesity, which entails a real chain reaction that significantly increases the risk of diabetes.

Nervous stress.

Chronic stress negatively affects the state of the nervous system and can serve as a trigger that provokes the development of diabetes. As a result of a strong nervous shock, adrenaline and glucocorticoid hormones are produced in large quantities, which can destroy not only insulin, but also those cells that produce it. As a result, the production of insulin decreases and the sensitivity of body tissues to this hormone decreases, which leads to the onset of diabetes.

Age

Scientists have calculated that every ten years of life, the risk of developing symptoms of diabetes doubles. The highest incidence of diabetes is recorded in men and women over 60 years of age. The fact is that with age, the secretion of incretins and insulin begins to decrease, and the sensitivity of tissues to it decreases.

Myths about the causes of diabetes

Many caring parents mistakenly believe that if you allow your child to eat a lot of sweets, he will develop diabetes. It must be understood that the amount of sugar in food does not directly affect the amount of sugar in the blood. When compiling a menu for a child, it is necessary to consider whether he has a genetic predisposition to diabetes. If there were cases of this disease in the family, then it is necessary to make a diet based on the glycemic index of the products.

Diabetes mellitus is not an infectious disease, and it is impossible to "catch" it through personal contact or using the patient's dishes. Another myth is that you can get diabetes through the patient's blood. Knowing the causes of the origin of diabetes, you can develop a set of preventive measures for yourself and prevent the development of complications. An active lifestyle, a healthy diet and timely treatment will help to avoid diabetes, even if there is a genetic predisposition.

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease in which the work of the endocrine system is subject to damage. Diabetes mellitus, the symptoms of which are based on a long-term increase in the concentration of glucose in the blood and on the processes accompanying an altered state of metabolism, develops, in particular, due to a lack of insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, due to which the body regulates the processing of glucose in body tissues and in his cells.

general description

In diabetes mellitus, a chronic increase in blood sugar levels develops, which determines a condition such as what happens due to insufficient secretion of insulin or due to a decrease in the sensitivity of body cells to it. On average, this disease is relevant for 3% of the population, while it is known that diabetes in children is somewhat less common, determining average rates within 0.3%. Meanwhile, there is also a trend in which the number of patients with diabetes is only increasing every year, and the annual growth corresponds to approximately 6-10%.

Thus, it can be argued that approximately every 15 years the number of patients with diabetes mellitus doubles. As part of a review of global figures for the number of cases in 2000, a figure was determined in excess of 120 million, but now the total number of people with diabetes is about more than 200 million people.

Let us dwell in more detail on those processes that are directly related to the development of diabetes, and let's start with the most important thing - with insulin.

Insulin, as we already noted initially, is a hormone produced by the pancreas and controls the concentration of glucose (i.e. sugar) in the blood. In our body, food is broken down in the intestines, due to which a number of different substances are released that the body needs for full-fledged work. One of these substances is glucose. Being absorbed from the intestines into the blood, it spreads, thereby, throughout the body. After eating, a high level of sugar has a stimulating effect on the secretion of insulin by the pancreas, due to which glucose enters the cells of the body through the blood, respectively, it is he who helps to reduce the concentration of glucose in the blood. In addition, certain cells without insulin are simply not capable of assimilating glucose from the blood.

As for glucose, it either accumulates in the cells of the body, or is immediately converted into energy, which, in turn, is consumed by the body for one or another of its needs. Throughout the day, there is a variation in indicators of the level of glucose contained in the blood, in addition, its indicators also change depending on food intake (that is, food intake has a direct effect on these indicators). Accordingly, after eating, there is an increase in glucose levels, after which they gradually normalize, this lasts for two hours following the meal. Normalization of blood glucose levels, as a rule, is accompanied by a decrease in insulin production, which, as is already clear, is carried out by the pancreas. In the event that insulin is produced in insufficient quantities, the cells no longer properly absorb glucose, due to which it accumulates in the blood. Due to the increased level of glucose in it (that is, with increased sugar), the symptoms of diabetes appear, respectively, as well as the complications associated with this disease.

Features of the mechanism of development of diabetes in children

Diabetes mellitus in children develops in accordance with the same principles as diabetes mellitus in adults. Nevertheless, it is characterized by the presence of certain own features. So, the pancreas in a child, due to which, as we found out, insulin is produced, has a small size. By the age of ten, it doubles in size, thus reaching 12 cm, and its weight is about 50 grams. The process of producing insulin is finally formed by the time a child reaches 5 years of age, it is from this age and until about the age of 11 years that children are especially susceptible to the development of diabetes mellitus.

In general, metabolic processes in children are much faster than in adults, and the absorption of sugar (and this is carbohydrate metabolism) in such processes is also no exception. Per day, per kilogram of a child's weight, he needs carbohydrates in the amount of 10 grams, which, in principle, explains the love of children for sweets, which is dictated by quite natural needs from their body. The nervous system also has a significant influence on the metabolic processes of carbohydrates, which, in turn, is also not completely formed, which is why various kinds of failures are allowed in it, which are also reflected in the blood sugar level.

It should be noted that although there is a belief that the consumption of sweets is the cause of diabetes, especially when it comes to significant amounts. Specifically, the love of sweets does not lead to the development of diabetes, this factor can only be considered as a predisposing factor - provoking, and with it the risk of developing this disease.

There are certain risks in terms of individual characteristics that predispose to the development of this disease. So, underdeveloped and premature babies, as well as adolescents (in this case we are talking about puberty), are most predisposed to diabetes mellitus. Excessive / significant physical activity, for example, due to visiting sports sections, also determines high risks in terms of predisposition to diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus: causes

Diabetes mellitus can develop for a number of reasons, in particular, the following can be distinguished.

Impact of viral infections. Viral infections contribute to the destruction of pancreatic cells, due to which the production of insulin is ensured. Among these viral infections, one can single out a viral one (aka mumps), etc. Some of these viral infections have a significant affinity for the gastric gland, more precisely, for its cells. Affinity in the general plan of consideration means the ability that one object has in relation to another, due to which, accordingly, the possibility of creating a new complex object is determined. In the case of the affinity of infections and gland cells, the development of complications in the form of diabetes is caused. Remarkably, among patients who have had rubella, there is an increase in cases of diabetes mellitus by an average of 20% or even higher. It is also important to emphasize that the impact of a viral infection is reinforced by the presence of a hereditary predisposition to the development of diabetes mellitus. It is a viral infection that in the vast majority of cases becomes the cause of the development of diabetes mellitus, which is especially true for children and adolescents.

Heredity. Often, diabetes mellitus develops several times more often in those patients who have relatives with the disease we are considering. With diabetes in both parents, the risk of developing diabetes in a child throughout life is 100%. In the same case, if diabetes mellitus is relevant only for one of the parents, the risk, respectively, is 50%, and if a sister/brother has this disease, this risk is 25%. Below we will dwell on the classification of diabetes mellitus in more detail, but for now we will only note the features of type 1 diabetes mellitus for this predisposing factor. They relate to the fact that with this type of diabetes, even the relevance of hereditary predisposition does not determine the mandatory and unconditional fact of the further development of this disease in the patient. For example, it is known that the probability of passing a defective gene from a parent to a child in the presence of type 1 diabetes is quite low - it is about 4%. In addition, there are known cases of morbidity when diabetes manifested itself in only one of a pair of twins, respectively, the second remained healthy. Thus, even predisposing factors are not a definitive statement that a patient will have type 1 diabetes unless they have been exposed to a specific viral disease.

Autoimmune diseases. These include those types of diseases in which the body's immune system begins to "fight" with its own tissues and cells. Among such diseases, one can distinguish, etc. Diabetes mellitus, respectively, in such cases acts as a complication, it develops due to the fact that pancreatic cells begin to break down, due to which insulin is produced, and this destruction is caused by the influence of the immune system.

Increased appetite (overeating). This cause becomes a predisposing factor to obesity, while obesity, in turn, is considered as one of the factors leading to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. So, for example, people who are not overweight develop diabetes mellitus in 7.8% of cases, while people who are overweight, exceeding the norm by 20%, develop diabetes mellitus in 25% of cases, but overweight, exceeding the norm by 50%, increases the incidence of diabetes by 60%. At the same time, if patients achieve weight loss by an average of 10% due to appropriate physical activity and diet, then this determines for them the possibility of a significant reduction in the risk of developing the disease we are considering.

Stress. Stress is considered in the context of considering diabetes mellitus as an equally serious aggravating factor provoking its development. In particular, it is necessary to try to exclude stress and emotional overstrain for those patients who have a correspondence to one or another of the listed predisposition factors (obesity, heredity, etc.).

Age. Age is also a predisposing factor for the development of diabetes. So, the older the patient, the more likely it is that he may develop diabetes. It should be noted that with age, heredity as a predisposing factor loses its relevance for this disease. But obesity, on the contrary, acts as a practically decisive threat to this, especially in combination with a weakened immune system against the background of previous diseases. Most often, this picture contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes.

We repeat, again, in terms of the myth of diabetes in sweet tooth. There is only a grain of truth in it, and it lies in the fact that excessive consumption of sweets leads to the problem of overweight, which, in turn, is considered as a factor that we have identified above among the predisposing ones.

Somewhat less often, diabetes mellitus develops against the background of hormonal disorders, due to damage to the pancreas by certain medications, and also due to alcohol abuse over a long period of time. Additionally, among the predisposing factors, high blood pressure (arterial hypertension) and high cholesterol levels are distinguished.

Diabetes mellitus: risk factors for the development of the disease in children

The risk factors contributing to the development of this disease in children, in some respects, are similar to the above factors, however, they also have their own characteristics. Let's highlight the main factors:

• the birth of a child to parents with diabetes mellitus (if one or both of them have this disease);
• frequent occurrence of viral diseases in a child;
• the presence of certain metabolic disorders (obesity, etc.);
• birth weight of 4.5 kg or more;
• reduced immunity.

Diabetes: classification

Diabetes can actually manifest itself in several varieties of forms, which we will consider below.

Diabetes. Actually, our article is basically devoted to this form of the disease. As the reader has already been able to understand, this is a chronic disease, accompanied by a violation of the metabolism of glucose (primarily), fats and, to a lesser extent, proteins. There are two main types of this diabetes, these are type 1 and type 2.

• Type 1 diabetes mellitus, or insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM). With this form of the disease, insulin deficiency is relevant, which is why it is defined as insulin-dependent diabetes. The pancreas in this case does not cope with its functions, due to which insulin is either produced in a minimal amount, due to which the subsequent processing of glucose entering the body becomes impossible, or insulin is not produced at all. In this case, the level of glucose in the blood rises. Given the peculiarities of the manifestation of the disease, patients with it must be provided with the possibility of additional administration of insulin, which will prevent the development of ketoacidosis in them - a condition accompanied by an increased content of ketone bodies in the urine, in other words, this is hypoglycemia. accompanied by a number of specific symptoms, in addition to changes in the composition of urine, and this is the appearance of the smell of acetone from the mouth, drowsiness and severe fatigue, nausea and vomiting, muscle weakness. The introduction of insulin in this type of diabetes in general allows you to maintain the life of patients. The age of patients can be any, but basically it varies within the limits of not exceeding 30 years. There are also other types of features. So, patients in this case, as a rule, are thin, the symptoms and signs of type 1 diabetes mellitus appear suddenly in them.
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus, or non-insulin dependent diabetes (NIDDM). This type of disease is non-insulin dependent, meaning that insulin production occurs in normal amounts, and sometimes even in excess of normal amounts. Nevertheless, there is practically no benefit from insulin in this case, which is caused by the loss of tissue sensitivity to it. The age group in most cases is patients over 30 years old, mostly obese, there are relatively few symptoms of the disease (their classical variants in particular). In the treatment, drugs in the form of tablets are applicable, due to their effect it is possible to reduce the resistance to insulin of cells, in addition, drugs can be used, due to the effect of which the pancreas is stimulated to produce insulin. This type of disease can be divided according to the type of occurrence, that is, when it occurs in obese patients (obese persons) and when it appears in persons with normal weight. Based on research conducted by some experts, a slightly different condition, which is called prediabetes, can be distinguished. It is characterized by an increased level of sugar in the patient's blood, but on the verge of practically reaching those limits of marks at which diabetes mellitus is diagnosed (glucose corresponds to a value in the range of 101-126 mg / dl, which is slightly higher than 5 mmol / l). Pre-diabetes (and it is also latent diabetes) without the implementation of adequate therapeutic measures aimed at its correction, subsequently transforms into diabetes.

Gestational diabetes. This form of diabetes develops during pregnancy, and after childbirth, it can also disappear.

Diabetes mellitus: symptoms

Until a certain period, diabetes may not manifest itself for a long time. Signs of diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2 differ from each other, at the same time, any signs may be absent altogether (again, until a certain time). The severity of the main manifestations associated with both types of diabetes is determined by the degree of decrease in insulin production, the individual characteristics of the patient's body and the duration of the course of the disease. We single out the main complex of symptoms characteristic of both types of diabetes mellitus:

• unquenchable thirst, increased urination, against which the general organism develops;
• rapid weight loss, regardless of appetite;
• frequent dizziness;
• weakness, decreased performance, fatigue;
• heaviness in the legs;
• tingling, numbness of the extremities;
• pain in the region of the heart;
• cramps in the calf muscles;
• low temperature (below average levels);
• the appearance of itching in the perineum;
• skin itching;
• slow healing of skin lesions, wounds;
• violations of sexual activity;
• long-term cure for infectious diseases;
• visual impairment (general visual impairment, the appearance of a "veil" before the eyes).

There are some "special" signs that make it possible to suspect diabetes mellitus. For example, diabetes in children- symptoms of a special type in this case are the lack of gain in height and weight. In addition, diabetes mellitus in infants manifests itself in the form of white marks on diapers after urine has dried on them.

Diabetes in men also manifests itself in the form of a characteristic symptom, as such it is considered.

And finally, the signs of diabetes among women. Here, too, the symptoms are quite pronounced, it consists in manifestations in the vulva, and this is their itching, as well as persistent and prolonged manifestation. In addition, women with a latent form of type 2 diabetes mellitus that is relevant to them for a long period can be treated for and. In addition to the indicated manifestations of symptoms, it remains to add an excess of growth on the body and on the face of hair in women.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus: symptoms

This type of diabetes is a chronically elevated blood sugar condition. This form of diabetes develops due to insufficient secretion of insulin by the pancreas. Type 1 diabetes accounts for about 10% of cases in general.

The typical form of manifestation of the disease, especially in children and young people, is accompanied by a debut in the form of a fairly vivid picture, and its development is noted within a period of several weeks to several months. To provoke the development of this type of diabetes can be infectious diseases or other types of diseases associated with a violation of the general health of the patient. The earlier the debut of the disease occurs, the brighter its onset. The manifestation of symptoms is sudden, the deterioration occurs in a sharp way.

The symptoms that appear here are characteristic of all forms of diabetes caused by hyperglycemia, and these are: increased urination, accompanied by a possible increase in urine production (if this volume is exceeded by 2-3 l / day), constant thirst, weakness and weight loss (for a month the patient can lose 15 kilograms). Focusing on weight loss, it can be noted that the patient can even eat a lot, but at the same time loses about 10% of his total weight.

One of the signs of this disease may be the appearance, the same smell appears in the urine, in some cases vision may be impaired. Also, a companion of patients with this type of diabetes are frequent dizziness, heaviness in the legs. The following are considered as indirect signs of the disease:

• wounds heal much longer;
• recovery from infectious diseases also takes much longer;
• the area of ​​the calf muscles is prone to the appearance of convulsions;
• itching appears in the genital area.

Thirst in this type of diabetes is especially pronounced - patients can drink (respectively, excreting) liquid in a volume of about 5 or even 10 liters.
The onset of the disease in many cases is accompanied by an increase in appetite in patients, but later anorexia develops against the background of the parallel development of ketoacidosis.

Elevated blood pressure requires periodic measurements, while the upper pressure should not exceed 140 mm Hg / st., and the lower - 85 mm Hg / st. We also note that in some cases, with weight loss in patients, blood pressure can normalize, and with it the sugar level. In addition, it is important to reduce the amount of salt consumed. Without achieving significant changes in pressure indicators, additional drugs are prescribed to reduce it.

Foot injury in diabetes mellitus (diabetic foot)

Diabetic foot is considered as quite a serious complication accompanying diabetes mellitus. This pathology causes malnutrition of the lower extremities in patients with diabetes in the formation of ulcerative lesions and deformities of the feet. The main reason for this is that diabetes affects the nerves and vessels of the legs. As predisposing factors for this are obesity, smoking, long-term diabetes, arterial hypertension (high blood pressure). Trophic ulcers in diabetic foot can be superficial (with skin lesions), deep (skin lesions involving tendons, bones, joints). In addition, their occurrence can be defined as, which implies damage to the bones in combination with the bone marrow, as localized, accompanied by numbness in the patient's fingers, or widespread gangrene, in which the foot is completely affected, as a result of which its amputation is required.

Neuropathy, namely, it acts as one of the main causes of the formation of trophic ulcerative lesions, is diagnosed in approximately 25% of patients. It manifests itself in the form of pain in the legs, numbness in them, tingling and burning. In the indicated number of patients, it is relevant for the number of them who have diabetes for a period of about 10 years; in 50%, neuropathy is relevant for the course of the disease for a period of 20 years. With proper treatment, trophic ulcers have a favorable prognosis for a cure; treatment is carried out at home, averaging 6-14 weeks. With complicated ulcers, hospitalization is indicated (from 1 to 2 months), even more severe cases necessitate hospitalization of the part of the leg that has been affected.

Ketoacidosis as a complication of diabetes

We have already dwelled on this state, we will only note some of the provisions on it. In particular, we highlight the symptomatology, which consists in the appearance of dry mouth, thirst, the appearance of a headache, drowsiness and the characteristic smell of acetone from the mouth. The development of this condition leads to loss of consciousness and the development of coma, which requires a mandatory and immediate call to the doctor.

Hypoglycemia as a complication of diabetes

This condition is accompanied by a sharp decrease in blood glucose, which can occur against the background of a number of specific factors (increased physical activity, insulin overdose, excessive alcohol, the use of certain medications). The early symptoms of hypoglycemia are sudden onset of cold sweat, extreme hunger, pale skin, trembling hands, weakness, irritability, numbness of the lips, and dizziness.

As intermediate symptoms of this condition, symptoms are considered in the form of inadequate behavior of the patient (passivity, aggressiveness, etc.), palpitations, impaired coordination of movement, confusion and double vision. And, finally, convulsions and loss of consciousness act as late manifestations of symptoms. The patient's condition is corrected by the immediate consumption of easily digestible carbohydrates (sweet tea, juice, etc.). It also requires immediate hospitalization. The main principle of treatment of this condition is the use of glucose (intravenous administration).

Treatment

The diagnosis of "diabetes mellitus" is established on the basis of test results. In particular, these are blood and urine tests for the content of glucose in it, a glucose tolerance test, an analysis for the detection of glycated hemoglobin, as well as an analysis for the detection of C-peptide and insulin in the blood.

Treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus is based on the implementation of measures in the following areas: exercise, diet and drug therapy (insulin therapy with the achievement of insulin levels within the daily norm of its production, elimination of the manifestations of the clinical symptoms of diabetes mellitus).

Similar principles have been defined for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, i.e. exercise, diet and drug therapy. In particular, emphasis is placed on weight loss - as we have already noted, this can contribute to the normalization of carbohydrate metabolism, as well as a decrease in glucose synthesis.

Anemia, more commonly called anemia, is a condition in which there is a decrease in the total number of red blood cells and / or a decrease in hemoglobin per unit volume of blood. Anemia, the symptoms of which are manifested in the form of fatigue, dizziness and other types of characteristic conditions, occurs due to an insufficient supply of oxygen to the organs.

Migraine is a fairly common neurological disease, accompanied by severe paroxysmal headache. Migraine, the symptoms of which consist in pain itself, concentrated from one half of the head mainly in the region of the eyes, temples and forehead, in nausea, and in some cases in vomiting, occurs without reference to brain tumors, stroke and serious head injuries, although and may indicate the relevance of the development of certain pathologies.

This is a chronic endocrine disease. The main metabolic manifestation of diabetes is elevated levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Glucose is the source of energy for all cells in the body. But in high concentrations, this substance acquires toxic properties. Diabetes mellitus leads to damage to blood vessels, nervous tissue and other body systems. Complications develop - neuropathy, cataracts, nephropathy, retinopathy and a number of other conditions. Manifestations of diabetes are associated with both high blood glucose levels and the development of late complications of the disease.

early signs of diabetes

The first signs of diabetes are usually associated with high blood sugar levels. Normally, this indicator in capillary blood on an empty stomach does not exceed 5.5 mmol/l, and during the day - 7.8 mmol/l. If the average daily sugar level becomes more than 9-13 mM / l, then the patient may experience the first complaints.

Appears first profuse and frequent urination. The amount of urine in 24 hours is always more than 2 liters. In addition, you have to get up to use the toilet several times a night. The large amount of urine excreted is due to the fact that glucose is present in it. Sugar begins to leave the body through the kidneys when its concentration in the blood is 9-11 mM / l. In the old days, doctors even diagnosed diabetes based on the taste of urine. Sugar "draws" water from the bloodstream through the wall of the renal capillaries - this is the so-called "osmotic diuresis". As a result, a diabetic patient produces a lot of urine both day and night.

The body loses fluid, may develop dehydration. The skin on the face, body becomes dry, its elasticity disappears; "dry" lips, the patient feels a lack of saliva, "dryness" in the mouth. Usually patients feel intense thirst. I want to drink constantly, including at night. Sometimes the amount of liquid drunk exceeds 3, 4 and even 5 liters per day. All people have different taste preferences. Unfortunately, many diabetics who do not know about their diagnosis drink fruit juices, sugary drinks, soda, thereby aggravating their condition. Thirst is a defensive reaction in this situation. Of course, you can not refuse to drink in order to reduce the volume of urine. But it is better to drink pure water or unsweetened tea.

Glucose accumulates in the blood, leaves with urine, but cannot enter the cells. This means that the tissues do not receive the energy they need. Because of this, cells send information about hunger and lack of nutrients to the brain. As a result, a diabetic patient may increase appetite, he eats and does not gorge even with a large amount of food.

Thus, the first and rather specific signs of diabetes are thirst, dry skin, dry mouth, increased appetite, and a large amount of urine per day.

High blood glucose levels, increased breakdown of adipose tissue and dehydration in diabetes have a negative effect on the brain. As a result, another group of early, but not specific, signs of diabetes appears. These are fatigue, fatigue, irritability, frequent mood swings, inability to concentrate, decreased ability to work. All these symptoms in diabetes occur at the very beginning of the disease, but they can be in any other diseases too. For the diagnosis of diabetes, the value of these signs is small.

Diabetes is not only characterized by an increase in blood glucose levels. Another important feature is large fluctuations in blood sugar concentration. So in a healthy person, the minimum and maximum values ​​​​of blood sugar differ by less than 1-2 units per day. In a diabetic patient, on the same day, sugar can be both 3 mm / l and 15 mm / l. Sometimes the difference between the values ​​is even greater. An early sign of diabetes associated with a sharp change in the concentration of sugar in the blood can be considered temporary blurred vision. Visual impairment may last for several minutes, hours or days, then normal visual acuity is restored.

Signs of diabetes associated with damage to organs and systems

Diabetes mellitus, especially type 2 diabetes, often goes unnoticed for a long time. Patients have no complaints or do not pay attention to them. Unfortunately, sometimes the early signs of diabetes are ignored by medical professionals. As a result, the first obvious signs of the disease may be signs of persistent damage to organs and tissues, that is, late complications of diabetes mellitus.

Who can be suspected of having the disease? Those who have symptoms symmetrical damage to the sensory nerves of the hands or feet, legs. In this situation, the patient will be disturbed by numbness and coldness in the fingers, a feeling of "crawling", decreased sensitivity, muscle cramps. The manifestation of these symptoms at rest, at night, is especially characteristic. With the presence of damage to the nervous tissue, the occurrence of another complication is also associated - diabetic foot syndrome.

Diabetic foot requiring conservative treatment

This condition is manifested by long-term non-healing wounds, ulcers, cracks in the legs. Unfortunately, sometimes diabetes is first diagnosed by a surgeon in a patient with these symptoms. The syndrome often causes gangrene and amputations.

Persistent visual loss may also be the first noticed sign of diabetes mellitus due to cataracts or diabetic lesions of the fundus vessels.

It should be noted that against the background of diabetes mellitus reduced immunity. This means that wounds and scratches heal longer, there are more infectious processes and complications. Any disease is more severe: cystitis is complicated by inflammation of the renal pelvis, a cold - bronchitis or pneumonia. Fungal infection of nails, skin, mucous membranes also often accompanies diabetes due to existing immunodeficiency.

Signs of different types of diabetes

The most common types of diabetes are type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes associated with a lack of insulin in the body. It most often occurs in children and young people under 30 years of age. For this type of diabetes, a sharp decrease in body weight against the background of increased appetite is specific. A person eats a lot, but loses more than 10% of weight. In patients with type 1 diabetes, many products of the breakdown of adipose tissue - ketone bodies are formed. Exhaled air, urine acquire a characteristic smell of acetone. The earlier the disease debuted, the brighter its onset. All complaints appear suddenly, the condition worsens sharply. Therefore, the disease rarely goes unrecognized.

Sugar diabetes 2 type, people usually get sick after 40 years, more often women with overweight. The disease is latent. The reason for it is the insensitivity of tissues to their own insulin. One of the early signs of the disease is a periodic sharp decrease in blood sugar - hypoglycemia. The patient feels trembling in the body and in the fingers, rapid heartbeat, severe hunger. His blood pressure rises, cold sweat appears. Such episodes are possible both on an empty stomach and after eating, especially after eating sweet foods. Diabetes mellitus can also be suspected in those who have signs of tissue insensitivity to insulin. These symptoms include excess fat in the waist area, high blood pressure, high levels of cholesterol, triglycerides and uric acid in the blood. Skin sign of type 2 diabetes can be considered black acanthosis - rough patches of dark skin in places of skin friction.

Black acanthosis in diabetes mellitus

Gestational diabetes appears in a woman during pregnancy. Its signs are the large size of the child, including according to ultrasound, early aging of the placenta, its excessive thickness, miscarriages, stillbirth, fetal malformations. Gestational diabetes can be expected in women after 25-30 years of age who are overweight and have a family history.

Special signs of diabetes in children

Children with diabetes usually stop gaining weight and height. Babies have urine that dries on diapers and leaves white marks.

Special signs of diabetes in women

For women with diabetes, an early sign may be itching of the external genitalia, a long and persistent "thrush". Women with latent type 2 diabetes can be treated for a long time for polycystic ovaries, infertility. They are also characterized by excessive hair growth on the face and body.

Special signs of diabetes in men

In men, the first sign of diabetes can be impotence.

What to do at the first signs of diabetes?

If signs of diabetes are detected, the doctor excludes other diseases with similar complaints (diabetes insipidus, nephrogenic diabetes, hyperparathyroidism, and others). Next, an examination is carried out to determine the cause of diabetes and its type. In some typical cases, this task is not difficult, and sometimes additional examination is required.

If you suspect that you or your relatives have diabetes mellitus, you should immediately undergo an examination in medical institutions. Remember that the sooner diabetes is diagnosed and treated, the better the prognosis for the patient's health. For help, you can contact a general practitioner, therapist or endocrinologist. You will be assigned a study to determine the concentration of sugar in the blood.

Do not rely on measurements with a self-monitoring device - a glucometer. His testimony is not accurate enough to diagnose the disease. To determine the concentration of glucose in the laboratory, more accurate enzymatic methods are used: glucose oxidase and hexokinase. To establish and confirm the diagnosis of diabetes, repeated measurements of sugar at different times of the day or an oral glucose tolerance test may be required. This is a stress test using 75 grams of glucose. All over the world, the analysis of glycated hemoglobin is becoming increasingly important for diagnosis. This indicator characterizes the level of blood sugar not at the moment, but over the past 3-4 months. The diagnosis of diabetes mellitus is established when the value of glycated hemoglobin is more than 6.5%.

Endocrinologist Tsvetkova I.G.

Diabetes- a group of diseases of the endocrine system that develop due to a lack or absence of insulin (hormone) in the body, resulting in a significant increase in the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood (hyperglycemia).

Diabetes mellitus is basically a chronic disease. It is characterized by metabolic disorders - fat, carbohydrate, protein, water-salt and mineral. In diabetes, the function of the pancreas, which actually produces insulin, is impaired.

Insulin- a protein hormone produced by the pancreas, the main function of which is to participate in metabolic processes - the processing and conversion of sugar into glucose, and the further transportation of glucose into cells. In addition, insulin regulates blood sugar levels.

In diabetes, the cells do not receive the necessary nutrition. It is difficult for the body to retain water in the cells, and it is excreted through the kidneys. Violations occur in the protective functions of tissues, the skin, teeth, kidneys, nervous system are affected, the level of vision decreases, develops,.

In addition to humans, this disease can also affect some animals, such as dogs and cats.

Diabetes mellitus is inherited, but it can be acquired in other ways.

Diabetes. ICD

ICD-10: E10-E14
ICD-9: 250

The hormone insulin converts sugar into glucose, which is an energy substance necessary for the normal functioning of body cells. When there is a failure in the production of insulin by the pancreas, disturbances in metabolic processes begin. Glucose is not delivered to the cells and settles in the blood. Cells, in turn, starving, begin to fail, which outwardly manifests itself in the form of secondary diseases (diseases of the skin, circulatory system, nervous and other systems). At the same time, there is a significant increase in blood glucose (hyperglycemia). The quality and effect of the blood deteriorate. This whole process is called diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus is called only that hyperglycemia, which was originally caused by the dysfunction of insulin in the body!

Why is high blood sugar harmful?

High blood sugar levels can cause dysfunction in almost all organs, up to and including death. The higher the blood sugar level, the more obvious the result of its action, which is expressed in:

- obesity;
- glycosylation (saccharification) of cells;
- intoxication of the body with damage to the nervous system;
- damage to blood vessels;
- the development of secondary diseases affecting the brain, heart, liver, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, muscles, skin, eyes;
- manifestations of fainting, coma;
- lethal outcome.

Normal blood sugar

On an empty stomach: 3.3-5.5 mmol / l.
2 hours after carbohydrate loading: less than 7.8 mmol/l

Diabetes mellitus in most cases develops gradually, and only occasionally there is a rapid development of the disease, accompanied by an increase in glucose levels to a critical level with various diabetic coma.

The first signs of diabetes

- constant feeling of thirst;
- persistent dry mouth
- increased urine output (increased diuresis);
- increased dryness and severe itching of the skin;
- increased susceptibility to skin diseases, pustules;
- prolonged healing of wounds;
- a sharp decrease or increase in body weight;
- increased sweating;
- muscular.

Signs of diabetes

In addition, diabetes can develop against the background of:

- hyperfunction of the adrenal glands (hypercorticism);
- tumors of the digestive tract;
- increased levels of hormones that block insulin;
— ;
— ;
- poor digestibility of carbohydrates;
- short-term increase in blood sugar levels.

Classification of diabetes

Due to the fact that diabetes mellitus has many different etiologies, signs, complications, and of course, the type of treatment, experts have created a fairly voluminous formula for classifying this disease. Consider the types, types and degrees of diabetes.

By etiology:

I. Type 1 diabetes mellitus (insulin-dependent diabetes, juvenile diabetes). Most often, this type of diabetes occurs in young people, often thin. It runs hard. The reason lies in the antibodies produced by the body itself, which block the β-cells that produce insulin in the pancreas. Treatment is based on the constant intake of insulin, by injection, as well as strict adherence to the diet. From the menu it is necessary to completely exclude the use of easily digestible carbohydrates (sugar, sugar-containing lemonades, sweets, fruit juices).

Divided by:

A. Autoimmune.
B. Idiopathic.

II. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (non-insulin-dependent diabetes). Most often, type 2 diabetes affects obese people over 40 years old. The reason lies in the overabundance of nutrients in the cells, due to which they lose sensitivity to insulin. Treatment is based primarily on a weight loss diet.

Over time, it is possible to prescribe insulin tablets, and only as a last resort, insulin injections are prescribed.

III. Other forms of diabetes:

A. Genetic disorders of b-cells
B. Genetic defects in insulin action
C. Diseases of the endocrine cells of the pancreas:
1. trauma or pancreatectomy;
2. ;
3. neoplastic process;
4. cystic fibrosis;
5. fibrocalculous pancreatopathy;
6. hemochromatosis;
7. other diseases.
D. Endocrinopathy:
1. Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome;
2. acromegaly;
3. glucoganoma;
4. pheochromocytoma;
5. somatostatinoma;
6. hyperthyroidism;
7. aldosteroma;
8. other endocrinopathies.
E. Diabetes as a result of side effects of drugs and toxic substances.
F. Diabetes as a complication of infectious diseases:
1. rubella;
2. cytomegalovirus infection;
3. other infectious diseases.

IV. Gestational diabetes. Blood sugar levels rise during pregnancy. Often passes suddenly, after childbirth.

According to the severity of the course of the disease:

Diabetes mellitus 1 degree (mild form). A low level of glycemia (blood sugar) is characteristic - no more than 8 mmol / l (on an empty stomach). The level of daily glucosuria is not more than 20 g / l. May be accompanied by angioedema. Treatment at the level of diet and taking certain medications.

Diabetes mellitus of the 2nd degree (medium form). A relatively small, but with a more obvious effect, increase in the level of glycemia at the level of 7-10 mmol / l is characteristic. The level of daily glucosuria is not more than 40 g / l. Periodically, manifestations of ketosis and ketoacidosis are possible. Gross violations in the work of the organs do not occur, but at the same time, there may be some violations and signs in the work of the eyes, heart, blood vessels, lower extremities, kidneys and nervous system. There may be signs of diabetic angioneuropathy. Treatment is carried out at the level of diet therapy and oral administration of sugar-lowering drugs. In some cases, the doctor may prescribe insulin injections.

Diabetes mellitus 3 degrees (severe form). Typically, the average level of glycemia is 10-14 mmol / l. The level of daily glucosuria is about 40 g/l. There is a high level of proteinuria (protein in the urine). The picture of clinical manifestations of target organs is intensifying - eyes, heart, blood vessels, legs, kidneys, nervous system. Vision decreases, numbness and pain in the legs appear, increases.

Diabetes mellitus 4 degrees (super severe form). A characteristically high level of glycemia is 15-25 mmol / l or more. The level of daily glucosuria is over 40-50 g/l. Proteinuria increases, the body loses protein. Almost all organs are affected. The patient is subject to frequent diabetic coma. Life is supported purely on insulin injections - at a dose of 60 OD and more.

For complications:

- diabetic micro- and macroangiopathy;
- diabetic neuropathy;
- diabetic nephropathy;
- diabetic retinopathy;
- Diabetic foot.

For the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, the following methods and tests have been established:

- measuring the level of glucose in the blood (determination of glycemia);
- measurement of daily fluctuations in the level of glycemia (glycemic profile);
- measuring the level of insulin in the blood;
- glucose tolerance test;
- a blood test for the concentration of glycated hemoglobin;
— ;
- Urinalysis to determine the level of leukocytes, glucose and protein;
- abdominal organs;
Rehberg's test.

In addition, if necessary, carry out:

— study of the electrolyte composition of the blood;
- urine test to determine the presence of acetone;
- examination of the fundus;
— .

Before starting treatment, it is necessary to conduct an accurate diagnosis of the body, because. a positive prognosis of recovery depends on this.

Treatment for diabetes aims to:

- lowering blood sugar levels;
- normalization of metabolism;
- prevention of complications of diabetes.

Treatment of type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent)

As we already mentioned in the middle of the article, in the section “Classification of Diabetes Mellitus”, patients with type 1 diabetes constantly need insulin injections, since the body cannot produce enough of this hormone on its own. There are currently no other methods of delivering insulin to the body, except for injections. Insulin-based tablets will not help with type 1 diabetes.

In addition to insulin injections, treatment for type 1 diabetes includes:

- adherence to a diet;
- performance of dosed individual physical activity (DIFN).

Treatment of type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent)

Treatment of type 2 diabetes is treated with diet and, if necessary, taking sugar-lowering drugs, which are available in tablet form.

Diet for type 2 diabetes is the main method of treatment due to the fact that this type of diabetes just develops due to malnutrition. With improper nutrition, all types of metabolism are disturbed, therefore, by changing your diet, a diabetic in many cases gets cured.

In some cases, with persistent types of type 2 diabetes, the doctor may prescribe insulin injections.

In the treatment of any type of diabetes, a mandatory item is diet therapy.

A nutritionist with diabetes, after receiving tests, taking into account age, body weight, gender, lifestyle, paints an individual nutrition program. When dieting, the patient must calculate the amount of calories, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and trace elements consumed. The menu must be followed strictly according to the prescription, which minimizes the risk of developing complications of this disease. Moreover, following a diet for diabetes, it is possible to defeat this disease without additional medication.

The general emphasis of diet therapy for diabetes is on eating food with a minimum or no content of easily digestible carbohydrates, as well as fats, which are easily converted into carbohydrate compounds.

What do people with diabetes eat?

The menu for diabetes consists of vegetables, fruits, meat and dairy products. The diagnosis of "Diabetes" does not mean that it is necessary to completely give up glucose in food. Glucose is the “energy” of the body, with a lack of which protein breaks down. Food should be rich in protein, and.

What can you eat with diabetes: beans, buckwheat, oatmeal, pearl barley, wheat and corn grits, grapefruit, orange, apples, pears, peaches, apricots, pomegranates, dried fruits (prunes, dried apricots, dried apples), cherries, blueberries, blackberries, currants, gooseberries, walnuts, pine nuts, peanuts, almonds, black bread, butter or sunflower oil (no more than 40 g per day).

What not to eat with diabetes: coffee, alcoholic drinks, chocolate, confectionery, sweets, jam, muffins, ice cream, spicy dishes, smoked meats, salty dishes, fat, pepper, mustard, bananas, raisins, grapes.

What is better to refrain from: watermelon, melon, store juices. In addition, try not to use the product about which you know nothing or little.

Conditionally allowed products for diabetes:

Physical activity in diabetes

In the current "lazy" time, when the world has been taken over by television, the Internet, sedentary, and at the same time often highly paid work, an increasing number of people are moving less and less. Unfortunately, this is not the best way to affect health. Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart failure, visual impairment, spinal diseases are just a small part of the ailments in which a sedentary lifestyle is indirectly, and sometimes directly, to blame.

When a person leads an active lifestyle - walks a lot, rides a bike, does exercises, plays sports games, the metabolism speeds up, the blood "plays". At the same time, all cells receive the necessary nutrition, the organs are in good shape, the immune system works perfectly, and the body as a whole is less susceptible to various diseases.

That is why, moderate exercise in diabetes has a beneficial effect. When you exercise, your muscles oxidize more glucose from your bloodstream, which lowers your blood sugar levels. Of course, this does not mean that you will suddenly change into a sports uniform and run several kilometers in an unknown direction. The necessary set of exercises will be prescribed for you by the attending physician.

Medicines for diabetes

Consider some groups of medications against diabetes mellitus (sugar-lowering drugs):

Drugs that stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin: Sulfonylureas (Gliclazide, Gliquidone, Glipizide), Meglitinides (Repaglinide, Nateglinide).

Pills that make body cells more sensitive to insulin:

- Biguanides ("Siofor", "Glucophage", "Metformin"). Contraindicated in people with heart and kidney failure.
- Thiazolidinediones ("Avandia", "Pioglitazone"). Increase the effectiveness of insulin action (improvement of insulin resistance) in adipose and muscle tissues.

Means with incretin activity: DPP-4 inhibitors (Vildagliptin, Sitagliptin), glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (Liraglutide, Exenatide).

Drugs that block the absorption of glucose in the gastrointestinal tract: alpha-glucosidase inhibitor ("Acarbose").

Can diabetes be cured?

A positive prognosis in the treatment of diabetes mellitus largely depends on:

- type of diabetes;
- the time of detection of the disease;
- an accurate diagnosis;
- strict observance by the diabetic of the doctor's prescriptions.

According to modern (official) scientists, it is currently impossible to completely recover from type 1 diabetes, as well as persistent forms of type 2 diabetes. At least, such drugs have not yet been invented. With this diagnosis, treatment is aimed at preventing the occurrence of complications, as well as the pathological effect of the disease on the work of other organs. After all, you need to understand that the danger of diabetes lies precisely in the complications. With the help of insulin injections, you can only slow down the pathological processes in the body.

Treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, in most cases, with the help of nutritional correction, as well as moderate physical activity, is quite successful. However, when a person returns to the old way of life, hyperglycemia does not take long.

I would also like to note that there are unofficial methods of treating diabetes, for example, therapeutic fasting. Such methods often end with resuscitation for a diabetic. From this it must be concluded that before using various folk remedies and recommendations, be sure to consult your doctor.

Of course, I cannot fail to mention another way of healing from diabetes - prayer, turning to God. Both in the Holy Scriptures and in the modern world, an incredibly huge number of people received healing after turning to the Lord, and, in this case, it does not matter what the person is ill with, for what is impossible for a person, everything is possible with God.

Alternative treatment of diabetes

Important! Before using folk remedies, be sure to consult your doctor!

Celery with lemon. Peel 500 g of celery root and grind them together with 6 lemons in a meat grinder. Boil the mixture in a saucepan in a water bath for 2 hours. Next, put the product in the refrigerator. The mixture must be taken in 1 tbsp. spoon for 30 min. Before breakfast, for 2 years.

Lemon with parsley and garlic. Mix 100 g of lemon zest with 300 g of parsley root (you can also put leaves) and 300 g. We twist everything through a meat grinder. We put the resulting mixture in a jar and put it in a cool dark place for 2 weeks. Take the resulting remedy 3 times a day, 1 teaspoon 30 minutes before meals.

Linden. If your blood sugar level has risen, drink lime blossom infusion instead of tea for several days. To prepare the remedy, put 1 tbsp. a spoonful of lime blossom in 1 cup of boiling water.

You can also prepare a decoction of linden. To do this, pour 2 cups of lime blossom into 3 liters of water. Boil this product for 10 minutes, cool, strain and pour into jars or bottles. Store in refrigerator. Drink lime decoction every day for half a glass when you want to drink. When you drink this portion, take a break for 3 weeks, after which the course can be repeated.

Alder, nettle and quinoa. Mix half a glass of alder leaves, 2 tbsp. spoons of quinoa leaves and 1 tbsp. a spoonful of flowers Pour the mixture with 1 liter of water, shake well and leave to infuse for 5 days in a lit place. Then add a pinch to the infusion and consume 1 teaspoon in 30 minutes. Before meals, morning and evening.

Buckwheat. Grind with a coffee grinder 1 tbsp. a spoonful of buckwheat, then add it to 1 cup of kefir. Infuse the remedy during the night, and in the morning drink 30 minutes before meals.

Lemon and eggs. Squeeze the juice from 1 lemon and mix 1 raw egg well with it. Drink the resulting remedy 60 minutes before meals, for 3 days.

Walnut. Fill partitions of 40 g with a glass of boiling water. Next, sweat them in a water bath for about 60 minutes. Cool the infusion and strain. You need to take the infusion 1-2 teaspoons 30 minutes before meals, 2 times a day.

Walnut leaf remedy also helps a lot. To do this, pour 1 tbsp. a spoonful of well-dried and ground leaves 50 ml of boiled water. Next, boil the infusion for 15 minutes over low heat, then leave to infuse for about 40 minutes. The broth should be filtered and taken 3-4 times a day for half a glass.

Hazel (bark). Finely chop and pour 400 ml of clean water 1 tbsp. a spoonful of hazel bark. Leave the product to infuse overnight, after which we place the infusion in an enamel pan and put it on fire. Boil the remedy for about 10 minutes. After that, the broth is cooled, divided into equal parts and drunk throughout the day. Store the decoction in the refrigerator.

Aspen (bark). Put a handful of planed aspen bark in an enameled pan, pour 3 liters of water over it. Bring the product to a boil and remove from heat. The resulting decoction should be drunk instead of tea, for 2 weeks, then take a break for 7 days and repeat the course of treatment again. Between the 2nd and 3rd course, a break is made for a month.

Bay leaf. Put 10 dry bay leaves in an enamel or glass bowl and pour 250 ml of boiling water over them. Wrap the container well and let the product brew for 2 hours. The resulting infusion for diabetes should be taken 3 times a day for half a glass, 40 minutes before meals.

Flax seeds. Grind into flour 2 tbsp. tablespoons of flax seeds and pour 500 ml of boiling water over them. Boil the mixture in an enameled container for about 5 minutes. The broth must be drunk completely at a time, in a warm state, 30 minutes before a meal.

For wound healing in diabetes mellitus, use lotions based on insulin.

Prevention of diabetes

To prevent the onset of diabetes, experts recommend adhering to preventive rules:

- monitor your weight - prevent the appearance of extra pounds;
- to live an active lifestyle;
- eat right - eat fractionally, and also try to avoid eating foods rich in easily digestible carbohydrates, but focus on foods rich in minerals;
- to control

Diabetes mellitus is a disease of the endocrine system that occurs due to a lack of insulin and is characterized by metabolic disorders and, in particular, carbohydrate metabolism. In diabetes, the pancreas loses its ability to secrete the required amount of insulin or to produce insulin of the desired quality.

The name "diabetes mellitus", according to the decision of the World Health Organization in 1985, is the name of a whole list of diseases that have common features: due to various factors, the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood rises in the owner of any of these diseases.

Diabetes is a rarely diagnosed disease.

There are a number factors that predispose to diabetes. In the first place is hereditary predisposition; the second leading cause of diabetes is obesity; the third reason is some diseases that result in damage to beta cells that produce insulin (these are diseases of the pancreas - pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, diseases of other endocrine glands). The fourth reason is a variety of viral infections (rubella, chicken pox, epidemic hepatitis and some other diseases, including influenza); in fifth place is nervous stress as a predisposing factor; in sixth place among the risk factors is age. The older a person is, the more reason he has to be afraid of diabetes. It is believed that every ten years the age increases, the risk of developing diabetes doubles.

In rare cases, some hormonal disorders lead to diabetes, sometimes diabetes is caused by damage to the pancreas that occurs after the use of certain drugs or as a result of long-term alcohol abuse.

Depending on the reasons for the rise in blood glucose, diabetes mellitus is divided into two main groups: type 1 diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Type 1 diabetes- insulin dependent. It is associated with damage to the pancreas, absolute insufficiency of its own insulin, and requires the introduction of insulin. Type 1 diabetes usually occurs at a young age (this form of diabetes mostly affects young people under the age of 30).

The second type of diabetes- insulin-independent, occurs due to the relative insufficiency of insulin. In the early stages of the disease, the introduction of insulin, as a rule, is not required. Type 2 diabetes is a disease of adulthood (it mostly affects the elderly). In such patients, insulin is produced, and by following a diet, leading an active lifestyle, these people can ensure that for quite a long time the sugar level will correspond to the norm, and complications can be safely avoided. Treatment of this type of diabetes may be limited to taking tablets only, however, in some patients, over time, it becomes necessary to additionally prescribe insulin. This is not a mild form of diabetes, as previously thought, since type 2 diabetes is one of the main risk factors for the development of coronary heart disease (angina pectoris, myocardial infarction), hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases.

Symptoms

There is a complex of symptoms that are characteristic of both types of diabetes: frequent urination and a feeling of unquenchable thirst; rapid weight loss, often with a good appetite; feeling weak or tired; fast fatiguability; blurred vision ("white veil" before the eyes); decreased sexual activity, potency; numbness and tingling in the limbs; feeling of heaviness in the legs; dizziness; protracted course of infectious diseases; slow wound healing; drop in body temperature below the average; spasms of the calf muscles.

There are cases when a chronic increase in blood sugar for some time may not have such manifestations typical of diabetes as thirst or a significant increase in the daily amount of urine. And only over time, patients pay attention to general weakness, constantly bad mood, itching, more frequent pustular skin lesions, progressive weight loss.

The onset of type 1 diabetes is characterized by a rapid deterioration in well-being and more pronounced symptoms of dehydration. Such patients need urgent prescription of insulin preparations. Without appropriate treatment, a life-threatening condition, a diabetic coma, can occur. With type 2 diabetes, in almost all cases, weight loss and significant physical activity can prevent the progression of diabetes and normalize blood sugar levels.

In order to install diagnosis diabetes, it is necessary to determine the level of sugar in the blood. If the blood sugar level on an empty stomach is less than 7.0 mmol/l, but more than 5.6 mmol/l, a glucose tolerance test is necessary to clarify the state of carbohydrate metabolism. The procedure for this test is as follows: after determining the fasting blood sugar (fasting period of at least 10 hours), you must take 75 g of glucose. The next measurement of blood sugar levels is made after 2 hours. If the blood sugar level is more than 11.1, we can talk about the presence of diabetes. If the blood sugar level is less than 11.1 mmol / l, but more than 7.8 mmol / l, they speak of a violation of carbohydrate tolerance. At lower blood sugar levels, the test should be repeated after 3-6 months.

Treatment depends on the type of diabetes. Type I diabetes should always be treated with insulin to compensate for its lack in the body. Type II diabetes can first be treated with diet, and if this treatment is not enough, tablets (oral anti-diabetic drugs, i.e. taken by mouth) are added; as the disease progresses, the person switches to insulin therapy. In most countries of the modern world, patients' need for insulin is fully covered by genetically engineered human insulin preparations. This is biosynthetic or recombinant human insulin and all dosage forms derived from it. According to the International Diabetes Federation, at the end of 2004, more than 65% of the world's countries used only genetically engineered human insulins to treat patients with diabetes mellitus.

There are short-acting drugs, intermediate-acting drugs and long-acting drugs. Along with them, insulin analogs with additional properties are also used. These include ultrashort-acting and long-acting insulins. As a rule, such drugs are administered subcutaneously, but if necessary, intramuscularly or intravenously.

It is firmly established that diabetes cannot be contracted, as one can become infected with the flu or tuberculosis. Diabetes is rightly attributed to the diseases of civilization, that is, the cause of diabetes in many cases is excess, rich in easily digestible carbohydrates, "civilized" food.

Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disease worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diabetes is the fourth leading cause of premature death and diabetes deaths are projected to increase by more than 50% over the next 10 years unless urgent action is taken.

Despite all the efforts of health organizations and national programs adopted in many countries of the world to combat this disease, the number of patients with this diagnosis is constantly growing. The incidence of diabetes is increasing not only within the age group over 40 years, among the diseased there are more and more children and adolescents. According to the International Diabetes Federation and WHO, there are currently more than 200 million people with diabetes in all countries of the world.

According to experts, by 2010 this figure will increase to 239.4 million, and by 2030 - up to 380 million. More than 90% of cases in this case are type 2 diabetes.

These values ​​may be greatly underestimated, since up to 50% of patients with diabetes today remain undiagnosed. These people do not receive any hypoglycemic therapy and maintain stable hyperglycemia, which creates favorable conditions for the development of vascular and other complications.

Every 10-15 years, the total number of patients doubles. On average, 4-5% of the world's population suffer from diabetes, in Russia - from 3 to 6%, in the USA - from 10 to 20%.

The incidence of diabetes in Russia today has come close to the epidemiological threshold. More than 2.3 million diabetics are registered in Russia (unofficial statistics give figures from 8.4 to 11.2 million people), of which more than 750 thousand need daily insulin intake.

The material was prepared on the basis of information from open sources