Diabetes mellitus: causes, symptoms, treatment, prevention

Diabetes mellitus, while previously it mostly affected older people, is now increasingly diagnosed in very young people. What is the root cause, how to prevent the disease and complications - read about all this and more in our article.

Causes of diabetes

The main causes of diabetes mellitus are:

• hereditary nature: other factors are necessary that will prompt the progression of the disease;
• obesity;
• past certain diseases: especially those affecting the pancreas;
• frequent infectious diseases;
• prolonged or acute stress;
• age: every year the likelihood of developing diabetes increases, as mobility gradually decreases.

Diabetes mellitus symptoms

The symptoms of diabetes depend on its type. They separate 1 and 2. The first, as a rule, is due to heredity, i.e. passed on from generation to generation. The second is acquired when a person gets diabetes due to an unhealthy lifestyle.

Type 1 symptoms

In most cases, the symptoms characteristic of type 1 diabetes develop very quickly, literally within a few days. The patient often faints (diabetic coma). You need to urgently call an ambulance, and upon arrival at the hospital, doctors diagnose diabetes mellitus.

• a person drinks a lot of water per day (3-5 liters);
• there is a pronounced smell of acetone coming from the mouth;
• appetite increases, a person begins to eat a lot, but at the same time becomes exhausted “before our eyes”;
• there is abundant and frequent urination, which is especially active in the evening and at night;
• the resulting wounds heal very difficultly and for a long time;
• Fungal infections often occur, the skin begins to peel off and itch very much.

Activation of type 1 diabetes begins to develop after a sharp “shake-up” of the body. The trigger may be severe stress or a previous infectious disease. The first symptoms appear within a couple of weeks or a month.

Type 2 symptoms

Development occurs slowly and can take several years; as a rule, older people are prone to it. The patient becomes tired, his wounds heal for a long time and with difficulty, his vision decreases, and his memory is lost. As a rule, no significance is attached to these symptoms, since each of them may well be the consequences of life activity. And diabetes begins to develop more and more.

In most cases, type 2 diabetes is diagnosed completely by accident. In addition to the above mentioned symptoms of type 1 diabetes:

• thrush (in women);
• numbness and tingling in the lower extremities;
• pain in the legs when walking;
• fatigue.

The danger of type 2 diabetes is due to the fact that every second case develops without any obvious symptoms. But a prolonged visit to the doctor results in a stroke, sudden heart attack, rapid loss of vision and kidney disease. If you have at least 2 or 3 symptoms, be sure to get tested for diabetes. This will protect you from developing complications.

It is quite easy to distinguish the type of disease. In the first case, the disease begins to progress very quickly, in the second, the symptoms drag on for a long time. If previously the first type was mostly affected by young people, and the second by older people, now there are no boundaries. A sedentary lifestyle and an unhealthy diet rich in carbohydrates and fats leads to the fact that the second type develops in very young people.

Stages of diabetes

One of the most important categories when dividing diabetes is its severity, which is indicated by degree.

1st degree DM

The normal course of the disease, which all doctors strive to guide their patients to. The process is absolutely compensated, glucose is within the established norms, it is not excreted along with the urine. All other indicators are normal. There are no symptoms of diabetes complications. Diet therapy and medication treatment help to maintain this level.

2nd degree DM

At this stage we can talk about partial compensation. Signs of complications arise. Damage to the heart, legs, eyes, and blood vessels is observed. No serious complications are observed; blood glucose levels are above normal.

3rd degree DM

It says that the disease is progressing and drug control is impossible. The blood glucose level fluctuates between 13 and 14 mmol/l, and there is a high glucose content in the urine. Organ damage occurs.

Vision decreases rapidly, blood pressure rises, severe pain and numbness occur in the legs, and at the same time their sensitivity decreases.

4th degree DM

At this stage, severe complications begin to develop. Glycemia levels reach critical levels (from 15 mmol/l and above), and reduction is very difficult. There is a loss of protein, the appearance of trophic ulcers, gangrene, and renal failure. The fourth stage suggests that diabetic comas can occur very often.

Complications of diabetes

The danger is not diabetes itself, but the diseases and complications that can develop as a result of it. Here we will mention those that occur most often.

Swelling

Edema is both localized and widespread. It all depends on whether the disease is accompanied by heart failure. In general, edema is a symptom indicating renal failure. The severity of diabetic nephropathy is determined by the severity of edema.

If they are distributed asymmetrically, affecting only one lower leg or foot, this is diabetic microagniopathy of the lower extremities, combined with neuropathy.

Coma

Symptoms characteristic of this type of complication are characterized by lightning-fast development. The type of diabetic coma does not matter. The maximum threat is characterized by clouded consciousness and lethargy of the patient. In this case, the patient requires immediate hospitalization.

Ketoacidotic coma is the most common type of coma among diabetic patients. It is caused by an increased concentration of toxic substances in the body, which negatively affect the functioning of nerve cells. Clear warning signs of an impending complication are the strong smell of acetone in the patient's breath. And the impending hypoclimic coma makes itself felt by a darkened consciousness, a sharp decrease in blood glucose levels, and cold sweating that covers the patient.

High or low blood pressure

Blood pressure is also a determinant of the severity of diabetes. This can be considered on several levels. When analyzing systolic pressure indicators, the pressure on the brachial artery is measured. When it increases, they speak of a progressive stage of the disease, when kidney damage occurs. If a decrease in pressure is detected in the lower extremities, then the problem arises in them.

Leg pain

Pain in the legs, with existing diabetes mellitus, may indicate the onset of neuro- and agnopathy. You can judge which species belongs to a person by the nature of the sensations. If pain occurs during any physical activity and there is a need for mandatory respite, then we can talk about microagniopathy.

If pain comes at night or while resting, this is diabetic neuropathy. As a rule, the latter is additionally accompanied by a decrease in the sensitivity of the limb and their numbness. Some patients complain of a burning sensation that occurs locally. For example, in the foot or lower leg.

Trophic ulcer

Trophic ulcers are considered the next stage of neuro- and agnopathy after pain. The type of trophic ulcers has fundamental differences, depending on the stage of the disease. The type of treatment also varies. In order not to start a problem, it is important to initially take a closer look at even the smallest symptoms. This is a serious issue on which the safety of the limb depends.

A trophic ulcer never appears suddenly; there are always warning signs that can help prevent complications. First, nerve damage occurs, which leads to decreased sensitivity of the foot, which is subject to deformation. Corns occur at points on the foot where friction occurs when walking. This results in dulling of pain. Hematomas form under the corns, followed by the accumulation of pus.

Unfortunately, despite a number of warning symptoms, patients, in most cases, turn to specialists only when the leg is very swollen, has a bright red color, and there are massive trophic ulcers on its surface.

Gangrene

Gangrene is usually a consequence of diabetic angiopathy. Large and small arterial trunks are damaged. In most cases, the problem begins to develop in the area of ​​one of the toes. There is an outflow of blood, severe pain in the leg and its redness occurs. Over time, the skin becomes bluish, the limb swells, and becomes cold. After this, blisters with dark and cloudy content and black spots of skin necrosis appear on the surface.

What is described above is considered irreversible consequences. Nothing can be done, the limb cannot be saved, and an operation is prescribed to amputate the affected areas. With this development, the removal procedure should be carried out as soon as possible, otherwise gangrene begins to develop quickly and doctors will have to remove not only the foot, but also the lower leg. To restore the patient's motor functions, special prostheses are used.

Prevention of complications

The main and most effective prevention of complications is early diagnosis of the disease and timely initiation of adequate treatment. Particular attention should be paid to caring for the lower extremities to prevent damage. If they are still admitted, you should immediately seek help from a surgeon.

Consequences of diabetes

The consequences of diabetes are diseases that occur after complications. The most serious consequences are diabetic coma and amputation of limbs after gangrene. But all this can be avoided if the disease is diagnosed in time and strictly adheres to the rules and requirements set by the doctor. Carefully monitor the condition of your body and if you detect the above symptoms, get examined.

Diabetes mellitus during pregnancy

Even if a woman did not have diabetes before pregnancy, it can appear during pregnancy. It is caused by hormonal changes in the body. If the diagnosis is made on time, then it will not cause any harm to the body. Gestational diabetes usually goes away on its own after childbirth, after some time. The bad side is that after such a diagnosis during pregnancy, women have a 50% increased risk of developing stage 2 diabetes.

If you notice symptoms of diabetes typical of adults, be sure to inform your supervising doctor.

Diabetes mellitus in children

Diabetes mellitus in children can occur for several reasons. The main ones include:

• Hereditary side. Parents diagnosed with diabetes will pass on to their children a high likelihood of developing diabetes during their lifetime. If a new member of society does not monitor blood sugar levels, then the probability of disease is 100%.
• Consuming large amounts of food. Overeating leads to obesity, which causes overload of the pancreas, which leads to its exhaustion and diabetes. Particular attention should be paid to the amount of sweets and flour products eaten.
• Viral diseases also negatively affect the functioning of the pancreas. But this does not mean that after illness the risk of diabetes increases. If the immune system is strong and heredity is good, then the body is quite capable of coping with such tests. But frequent colds, which indicate weak immunity, are a serious reason to review the child’s menu in order to prevent illness.
• Low mobility leads to excess weight. Activity helps the pancreas produce insulin, which breaks down sugar, keeping its level normal.

Symptoms of diabetes in children

In general, in the first year of life the chances of developing the disease are very small.  Diagnosing diabetes in infants is very difficult. After all, the baby cannot convey what he feels, cannot complain about thirst, and it is impossible to see increased urination. But there are several obvious symptoms:

• the baby does not gain weight (even with a good appetite, the baby continues to lose weight);
• constantly fussing and capricious, and calms down only after drinking;
• Diaper rash often occurs near the genitals, which is very difficult to treat;
• the diaper, after the baby’s urine gets on it and dries, becomes as if starched;
• The main symptoms of diabetes in infants are frequent vomiting, severe dehydration and intoxication.

In children over one year of age, the following symptoms are observed:

• severe dehydration due to frequent and prolonged urination;
• constant vomiting;
• severe weight loss, incl. muscular dystrophy;
• unusual breathing (rare, uniform: deep noisy inhalation and forced exhalation);
• the smell of acetone is felt in the exhaled air;
• lethargy, fainting, shock;
• rapid pulse;
• blue extremities.

To prevent acute symptoms, it is important to seek medical help in a timely manner. Otherwise, the child may fall into a diabetic coma.

Nutrition for diabetes

Nutrition for diabetes mellitus differs from the normal state of a healthy person. How to eat properly, what foods are acceptable and what is prohibited should be prescribed by a doctor. The specialist prescribes an individual diet, which should be strictly followed.

Fruits for diabetes

Fruits are a direct source of vitamins that are vital for the body. However, if you have diabetes, you need to be careful with them. On the one hand, they strengthen the immune system, which diabetics should strengthen with all their might, on the other hand, they can increase blood sugar levels.

People with diabetes need fiber, which is also found in fruits. The first is divided into soluble and insoluble. Both are present in every fruit and only in some vegetables.   Soluble upon contact with water, it swells and acquires a jelly-like structure. It helps to effectively reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Insoluble promotes rapid saturation even with small doses of consumption. You should consume at least 25 g and no more than 30 g of fiber per day.

Diabetics need fiber more than healthy people, so it is better to eat fruits that are rich in this element.

How to treat diabetes

Nowadays, the issue of treating diabetes mellitus is considered controversially. We are talking about a complete cure for the disease. Everything is based on the fact that it is always easier to prevent a disease than to get rid of it. Exceptions are people with type 2 diabetes, who show good results with diet therapy. In this case, with the normalization of nutrition and the return of an active lifestyle, the body can independently restore the functionality of the pancreas and diabetes will sink into oblivion. But even after complete recovery, you need to keep your ears open, since the predisposition to relapse is high.

According to experts, persistent forms of diabetes cannot be completely cured. However, by constantly following the recommendations of doctors and diet, serious complications can be avoided.

But experience shows that even with complex forms of the disease, people were cured, contrary to the opinions of doctors. Fasting helped them with this. But here it is worth noting that if there is no specialist in this field in your locality, self-medication strictly prohibited!   Otherwise, an attempt at cure may result in resuscitation.

Now doctors are cautiously trying to introduce an operable method of treating diabetes. The principle is to artificially introduce a synthetic pancreas into the human body, which will secrete insulin in the required quantity. But, unfortunately, due to the imperfection of the system, not all patients have a positive response to the new organ. We can only hope for quick successes in this area and subsequent publication.

Prevention of diabetes

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to prevent type 1 disease. We are talking about cases where genetic predisposition plays a major role. There are no truly effective methods that guarantee 100% protection against diabetes. But the second type, to which absolutely everyone is susceptible, can be prevented. Since it occurs due to an incorrect lifestyle.

Complete prevention of type 2 diabetes includes the following measures:

1. weight control; if you are overweight, you need to get rid of it;
2. normalization of blood pressure and lipid metabolism;
3. minimizing consumed fats and carbohydrates;
4. regular physical activity, but not excess.