Diabetes mellitus: symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

Diabetes mellitus is a disease that affects the body due to increased blood sugar. Glucose is vital for health, it feeds cells with energy and makes the brain work. Sugar comes from the blood in the cells due to insulin - a hormone, for the production of which corresponds to the pancreas. When it is not enough, there is an excessive accumulation of glucose, which leads to serious consequences.

Diabetes can manifest itself in several types or stages:

• Prediabetes is a condition where blood sugar is higher than it should be, but not yet so high as to classify the disease.
• Gestational diabetes can occur during pregnancy, when the placenta is produced by certain hormones that make cells more resistant to insulin. As a rule, in this case, the pancreas increases its production in order to overcome this resistance. But sometimes it still does not suffice, then in the blood there is too much glucose.
• Diabetes mellitus of the first type, known as juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic illness in which the pancreas carries out insulin production in very small quantities or does not produce it at all. This is due to the fact that the immune system attacks and blocks insulin-producing cells. As a result, sugar accumulates in the blood.
• Diabetes mellitus type 2 (adult or non-insulin-dependent diabetes) is a chronic disease in which the body either resists insulin or produces it in insufficient quantities.

Symptoms

Symptoms of diabetes depend on how high the sugar in the blood. People with pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes at the initial stage generally can not experience any ailments. Common signs of the disease include:

• Increased thirst;
• A strong sense of hunger;
• Unexplained weight loss;
• The presence of ketones in the urine;
• fatigue;
• high blood pressure;
• Blurred vision;
• Frequent infections.

Diagnostics

To identify diabetes, a blood test for glycated hemoglobin is performed , showing which level (on average) of glucose in the blood has occurred in the past few months. However, it is impossible to make an accurate diagnosis, based only on the result of this test. After all, high sugar can be a consequence of other causes. For more specific, urine analysis, a blood test after an overnight fast, and other examinations may be required.

Treatment

Treatment may include injecting insulin and taking various medications. But the most important therapy is to maintain a healthy weight with proper nutrition and exercise.

What can I eat with diabetes? Contrary to popular belief, there is no special diet. You just need to eat healthy foods high in fiber and low in fat and calories (such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains), and reduce the consumption of products of animal origin, refined carbohydrates and sweets. In addition, people with diabetes should perform aerobic exercise every day to increase their sensitivity to insulin.