Type 2 diabetes: symptoms, diet, complications
Diabetes is a disease of the human endocrine system, characterized by an increase in the level of sugar in the blood, the cause of which is inadequate production of insulin (a hormone of the pancreas). There are several types of the disease, the most common is type 2 diabetes, or insulin-dependent diabetes.
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes appear against the background of insulin deficiency. This hormone is produced in a normal amount from the onset of the disease, but its cells are covered with a dense membrane that prevents the hormone from entering the blood. Thus, the pancreas begins to produce more insulin (the body sends signals that the blood sugar level is high), but the lack of effect leads to the fact that insulin becomes less and less.
Causes of type 2 diabetes
Obesity and heredity play an active role in the development of this disease. If a person has obesity of the 1st degree, then the risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases 3 times. Moreover, it is more often diagnosed in people with abdominal obesity, that is, against the background of fat deposits in the abdomen. Of course, not every obese person will have this disease - there must be a combination of several factors:
- pathologies of the pancreas;
- forced long-term intake of some medicines;
- hormonal diseases;
- some genetic syndromes.
The causes and consequences of diabetes should be known to every person, because only this knowledge will prevent its development. Complications of the disease are:
- pathological damage to blood vessels;
- nephropathy;
- atherosclerotic changes in blood vessels;
- diabetic foot;
- pathological reduction of vision;
- convulsive syndrome with localization in the lower limbs.
The most serious complication of type 2 diabetes is a coma, in which help must be provided to the patient in an emergency - life counts in minutes.
How is diabetes diagnosed
The first signs of diabetes in men, women and children will be identical:
- strong thirst - the patient consumes 5 liters of liquid per day, in some cases even more;
- frequent urination during the day and night;
- constant feeling of dryness in the mouth;
- high appetite;
- increased fatigue and drowsiness;
- obesity;
- sensation of weakness in the muscles;
- wounds on the legs that do not heal for a long time - with diabetes, a purulent process begins in them and trophic ulcers can form.
Doctors note that the development of type 2 diabetes is smooth and gradual with subtle symptoms.
Diagnostic measures
Diagnosis of diabetes involves a comprehensive examination of the patient. The patient is tested for glucose tolerance, the urine must be examined for the presence of glucose and ketone bodies, glycosylated hemoglobin and C-peptide are determined. The most important test is to check the level of sugar in the blood - it will be elevated in diabetes.
Only after receiving all the results of blood and urine tests, the doctor can make a final diagnosis and prescribe effective therapy.
Treatment of type 2 diabetes
Therapy should be comprehensive. First of all, it is necessary to seek help from a professional nutritionist - the diabetes diet menu has certain features:
- exclude sugar, confectionery, and alcoholic beverages from the diet;
- food should be eaten in small portions and often - at least 5 times a day;
- it is worth eating dishes with a low content of fat and spices. You should avoid eating fried foods, pickled and salty dishes.
Fruits are not contraindicated in diabetes, but sweet varieties such as bananas and mangoes should be excluded from the diet. Strawberries and raspberries, peaches and persimmons will be banned, while doctors allow apples, grapes and currants. Special attention should be paid to the digestive system - food for diabetes must be fresh, ideally not contain genetically modified fats (such as palm oil).
As for the choice of drugs for type 2 diabetes, here doctors use an individual approach. Usually, the appointment is reduced to taking specific tablet drugs that help maintain blood sugar within the normal range. It makes sense to take such drugs only at the very beginning of the disease. Insulin for type 2 diabetes is prescribed only if the progression of the disease is noted and the prescribed drugs cannot maintain the required blood sugar level.
In addition, the patient will be recommended to practice sports (light physical activity) and control his own weight. A competent approach to treatment, compliance with all appointments and recommendations of specialists can prevent the progression of the disease, and then disability with diabetes will never occur.
You can learn more about the treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes, about therapy for type 2 diabetes on our website Dobrobut.com.
It is quite possible to prevent the development of the disease - prevention of type 2 diabetes is simple and does not require much effort. First of all, a person should monitor his weight - obesity is unacceptable. If there are people with this disease in the family, it is necessary to periodically undergo a preventive examination and monitor the condition of the pancreas. All diseases related to the hormonal system or the pancreas should be treated on time and in strict accordance with the doctor's prescription. Such preventive measures will help prevent diabetes during pregnancy.
Type 2 diabetes is not a sentence. It is necessary to strictly follow the recommendations of specialists - and then there will be no complications.
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