Factors that influence the development of diabetes mellitus and how to treat it?

Diabetes mellitus refers to a group of diseases of the endocrine system. Insulin, a hormone of the islet apparatus of the pancreas responsible for glucose absorption, is produced or acts on tissues, leading to the development of abnormalities. Sugar levels can increase in both blood and urine, which is known as hyperglycemia.

All types of metabolism suffer from long-term impairment of glucose utilization. Pathology of the islet apparatus is often accompanied by various disorders of other organs and systems. Lesions of the small vessels, retina, kidneys, and nervous system are characteristic.

Diabetes mellitus is usually easily diagnosed and manifests itself with quite marked metabolic changes. In the initial and preclinical stages, the disease is more difficult to detect when the patient’s complaints are minimal or absent. This requires a carefully planned examination. Detection of the disease in its early stages is crucial for effective treatment and prevention of complications.

Main symptoms of diabetes mellitus

This disease is characterized by a number of complaints and objective signs that are detected by laboratory diagnostic tests. The first manifestations of diabetes mellitus are quite diverse. Individual signs or a group of symptoms that may indicate the disease include:

  • specific metabolic disorders – change in body weight, thirst, increased urination, constant feeling of hunger;
  • general nonspecific complaints – loss of energy, fatigue with minor exertion, drowsiness, muscle weakness;
  • dry skin, itching in the genital area, around the anus;
  • recurrent boils, sluggish wound healing;
  • excruciating dryness of the mouth, a feeling of swelling of the oral mucosa;
  • poor dental condition, inappropriate for age;
  • neuritis with impaired peripheral sensitivity;
  • changes in sexual, reproductive functions – loss of desire, infertility, birth of large babies;
  • damage to the organs of vision;
  • complaints from the cardiovascular system.

Factors influencing the development of diabetes mellitus

In the mechanisms of development of diabetes mellitus there are two key points, on the basis of which the disease is divided into types:

– Low production of insulin by intrasecretory cells of the pancreas.

– Violation of the ability of the hormone to act on the body, insensitivity of cells to insulin.

In case of insufficient insulin production, type 1 diabetes develops. It is based on the progressive destruction of the islets of Langerhans (intrasecretory cells of the pancreas). This occurs due to autoimmune processes in the body – antibodies to insulin, secretory cell structures, enzymes are produced.

Provoking factors in the development of autoimmune disorders can be:

  • viral infections;
  • nutritional disorders during pregnancy, during lactation;
  • unfavorable environmental conditions;
  • exposure to stress.

 

Type 1 diabetes is more often diagnosed in people of young age. The first manifestations of pathology occur when the death of intrasecretory cells reaches more than 80%. The disease proceeds with a high risk of complications, all types of metabolism are significantly affected.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when tissue receptors are insensitive to the action of insulin. In this case, the hormone is reproduced in a normal or slightly reduced amount. The mechanism of such disorders is associated with an initially incomplete structure of insulin (hereditary predisposition) or acquired changes, as a result of which the signal transmission from receptors to the internal structures of the cell is disturbed.

The following factors can provoke the development of type 2 disease:

  • inappropriate dietary intake, overeating;
  • sedentary lifestyle;
  • hypertension;
  • alcohol abuse;
  • age-related changes;
  • obesity;
  • uncontrolled intake of medications.

Treatment methods for diabetes mellitus

Type 1

Type 1 diabetes mellitus occurs when the pancreas stops producing insulin. In this case, a person needs constant insulin injections to keep living. Insulin treatment is the only way of therapy. Dosage and treatment regimen are selected individually, taking into account age, gender, physical activity and sensitivity to insulin.

An interesting feature is the so-called “honeymoon period” – a period when, after normalization of blood sugar with insulin, the need for it may temporarily decrease or disappear altogether. However, this is not recovery. “Honeymoon” is due to the fact that for some time after normalization of blood sugar, the pancreatic cells may continue to work, but later they die and the patient needs insulin therapy again.

Insulin is administered using:

– insulin syringes,

– syringe pens,

– insulin pumps.

Type 2

The goal of type 2 diabetes treatment is to improve the sensitivity of the body’s cells to insulin. One of the main causes of insulin resistance is being overweight. Scientific studies show that reducing body weight in most patients with type 2 diabetes helps to significantly improve blood sugar levels.

Normalizing weight can lead to long-term improvement in sugar levels, but it does not mean a complete cure. If diet and exercise fail, pills that help control sugar levels are prescribed. There are two types of such drugs:

– drugs that stimulate the pancreas to produce insulin,

– drugs that improve insulin action by reducing insulin resistance.

It is important to remember that the tablets themselves do not lower blood sugar. Insulin does, so for effective treatment of type 2 diabetes it is essential that the pancreas continues to produce insulin. For this reason, tablet medications are not used to treat type 1 diabetes because in this case, the cells in the pancreas have already been destroyed.

In some cases, insulin is also needed to treat type 2 diabetes. It can be prescribed as a temporary measure in certain situations (such as surgery or illness), and in some cases it is also used permanently. Therefore, type 2 diabetes cannot be called an “insulin-independent” disease.

Diet in diabetes mellitus

The diet for diabetes mellitus varies depending on the type of the disease. The main goals are to eliminate the symptoms of high blood sugar, prevent hypoglycemia and minimize the risk of complications.

Diet in type 1 diabetes mellitus

Type 1 diabetes mellitus requires insulin replacement therapy, and dietary restrictions are of a supportive nature. Modern approaches to the treatment of this type of diabetes revise previous recommendations, such as strict caloric intake. The main difference is that the patient can regulate nutrition, focusing on hunger and satiety, like healthy people.

Nutritional principles:

  • Selection of food according to individual needs,
  • It is important to consider which foods raise blood sugar levels,
  • Insulin administration should be matched to nutrition.

Diet in type 2 diabetes mellitus

The main method of treatment is normalization of body weight through a low-calorie diet and physical activity. Diet in type 2 diabetes plays an important role in controlling the disease.

Foods that affect sugar levels:

  • Fast carbohydrates (refined sugars): jams, candies, juices – sharply increase blood sugar and it is better to exclude from the diet.
  • Slow carbohydrates: vegetables, whole grain products, legumes – healthier, slows the absorption of sugar.

Dietary guidelines:

  • Divide meals into 4-6 small meals per day,
  • Avoid overeating,
  • Consume bread made of coarse flour,
  • Include vegetables, except potatoes and legumes,
  • Eliminate “fast” carbohydrates.

Physical activity improves tissue sensitivity to insulin and helps control sugar levels. Regular exercise, walking or light jogging will do. It is important to avoid strenuous exercise, which can lead to a sudden drop in sugar.

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