Diabetes is a disease that occurs due to insufficient secretion or action of insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is created in the pancreas gland and is responsible for the proper metabolism of carbohydrates, i.e. sugar.
Without insulin, sugar introduced into the body through food cannot be transferred from the bloodstream to the cells, which manifests itself as an increase in blood sugar.
According to WHO criteria, we call diabetes a condition when the amount of sugar in the blood is greater than 7.0 mmol/L.
Symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes (sugar disease) is manifested by characteristic symptoms:
- Pronounced thirst;
- Frequent urination;
- Loss of body mass despite often increased appetite and increased caloric intake;
- Fatigue quickly and feeling weak.;
Nausea;
Most patients have all these symptoms. However, in the case of symptoms that are not pronounced, the disease is discovered accidentally during one of the control examinations.
Some of the symptoms of diabetes (not so characteristic) are:
- Increased need for sweets;
- Itching on the genitals;
- Changes on the skin (ulcers, itchy skin, flaking);
If you have any of these symptoms, you need to have basic laboratory blood tests and urinalysis done.
Prevention of diabetes and better quality of life
Diabetes is considered a chronic disease. By taking preventive measures and changing the lifestyle of patients, diabetes can be controlled and the possibility of complications that accompany life with this disease can be reduced.
Primary prevention includes the promotion of a healthy lifestyle (reduction of obesity) with a quality balanced diet and moderate regular physical activity.
Special emphasis is placed on changing eating habits because the results of scientific research have shown a direct link between obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Also, in prevention, emphasis is placed on:
- Regular annual systematic reviews;
- Avoiding stress;
- Regular physical activity (at least twice a week);
- Avoiding fast food, carbonated drinks and industrial sweets.
Prevention of complications and progression of diabetes
In the event that the patient has been diagnosed with diabetes, secondary prevention includes education about a healthy lifestyle and the application of optimal therapy. And all with the aim of keeping the disease under control and avoiding complications.
It is believed that body weight control (daily care for nutrition while reducing obesity) and moderate physical activity can prevent the occurrence of type 2 diabetes.
Also to reduce possible complications such as: risk of heart attack, stroke, appearance of skin wounds, dementia, weakening of kidney function or serious deterioration of vision (occurrence of cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy).
Moderate regular physical activity is recommended for people with an increased risk of disease, but also for those who are already sick.
Regular monitoring of the patient, constant monitoring of glucose levels in the blood and urine, cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, as well as blood pressure levels are necessary.
If you have a person with diabetes in your environment, here is what you need to know
Not only the affected person lives with diabetes, but also the people close to him. It is very important for patients to get to know their disease in order to control it in the right way. In addition, there are several important situations and rules, which even those closest to the sick should know and respond to them adequately.
Hyperglycemia- High level of sugar in the blood
Symptoms: nervousness, increased hunger and thirst, weakness, muscle pain, headache, ...
It is necessary to consult a doctor in order to change the dose of insulin or tablet medicine. A change in diet or lifestyle. Regular self-control of the patient.
As a result of inadequate action on visible symptoms of hyperglycemia, ketoacidosis may occur - Appearance of acetone in urine.
The symptoms of this condition are: increased urination and thirst, blurred vision, deep breathing, stomach pains (especially in children), blurred consciousness, nausea and vomiting, bad breath, loss of consciousness (coma).
Hypoglycemia – Low blood sugar
Symptoms: hunger, trembling, profuse sweating, fear and nervousness, slurred speech, etc.
Give the person sugar and water, juice or any other candy.
Important note: There is a higher risk in such situations of the patient falling into unconsciousness (hypoglycemic coma). Respond by immediately injecting glucagon into the muscles of the arms or legs. Glucagon allows the extra glucose to be released back into the bloodstream, raising blood sugar levels.
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