Diabetes Type 1 (insulin-dependent diabetes) is an endocrine disease characterized by insufficient production of the hormone insulin by the cells of the pancreas. Because of this, the concentration of glucose in the blood rises, persistent hyperglycemia occurs. Adults (after 40) rarely get sick with type 1 diabetes. In our time, it is generally accepted that type 1 diabetes is young. Now let's see why we get diabetes.

Causes and pathogenesis

One of the causes of diabetes is hereditary predisposition. The probability of the appearance of the disease is small, but still it is present. The exact cause is still unknown, there are only predisposing factors (postponed autoimmune and infectious diseases, impaired cellular immunity).

Diabetes mellitus develops due to a lack of pancreatic beta cells. These cells are responsible for the normal production of insulin. The main function of this hormone is to ensure the penetration of glucose into cells. If the amount of insulin decreases, all the glucose accumulates in the blood and the cells begin to starve. Due to a lack of energy, fat reserves are broken down, as a result of which a person quickly loses weight. All glucose molecules attract water to themselves. With a high concentration of sugar in the blood, the liquid, together with glucose, is excreted in the urine. Therefore, dehydration begins in the patient and a constant feeling of thirst appears.

Due to the breakdown of fats in the body, the accumulation of fatty acids (FA). The liver cannot "process" all the fatty acids, therefore, decay products - ketone bodies - accumulate in the blood. If left untreated, coma and death can occur during this period.

Type 1 diabetes symptoms

Symptoms grow very quickly: in just a few months or even weeks, persistent hyperglycemia appears. The main diagnostic criterion by which diabetes can be suspected is:

• strong thirst (the patient drinks a lot of water);
• frequent urination;
• feeling of hunger and itching;
• strong weight loss.

With diabetes, a person can lose 10-15 kg in one month, while weakness, drowsiness, fatigue, and decreased performance appear. At the beginning of the disease, appetite is usually increased, but as the disease progresses, the patient refuses to eat. This is due to intoxication of the body (ketoacidosis). There is nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, a specific smell from the mouth.

Diagnosis and treatment

To confirm the diagnosis type 1 diabetes you need to do the following research:

1. A blood test for sugar (on an empty stomach) - the glucose content in capillary blood is determined.
2. Glycosylated hemoglobin is the average blood sugar for 3 months.
3. Analysis for c peptide or for .

With this disease, the main and main treatment is replacement therapy(injectable). In addition, a strict diet is prescribed. The dose and type of insulin is prescribed individually. To regularly monitor your blood sugar levels, it is recommended to purchase a glucometer. Subject to all conditions, a person can live a normal life (of course, there will be many restrictions, but there is no escape from them).

Diabetes is a group of diseases endocrine system, developing due to a lack or absence of insulin (hormone) in the body, resulting in a significant increase in the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood (hyperglycemia). It is manifested by a feeling of thirst, an increase in the amount of urine excreted, increased appetite, weakness, dizziness, slow healing of wounds, etc. The disease is chronic, often with a progressive course.

A timely diagnosis gives the patient a chance to delay the onset of severe complications. But it is not always possible to recognize the first signs of diabetes. The reason for this is the lack of basic knowledge about this disease among people and the low level of patients seeking medical help.

What is diabetes mellitus?

Diabetes mellitus is a disease of the endocrine system caused by an absolute or relative deficiency in the body of insulin, a pancreatic hormone, resulting in hyperglycemia (a persistent increase in blood glucose).

The meaning of the word "diabetes" from the Greek language is "outflow". Therefore, the concept of "diabetes mellitus" means "losing sugar." In this case, the main symptom of the disease is displayed - the excretion of sugar in the urine.

In the world, about 10% of the population suffers from diabetes mellitus, however, if we take into account the hidden forms of the disease, this figure can be 3-4 times higher. It develops as a result of chronic insulin deficiency and is accompanied by disorders of carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism.

At least 25% of people with diabetes are unaware of their disease. They calmly go about their business, do not pay attention to the symptoms, and at this time, diabetes gradually destroys their body.

High blood sugar levels can cause dysfunction in almost all organs, up to and including death. The higher the blood sugar level, the more obvious the result of its action, which is expressed in:

• obesity
• glycosylation (saccharification) of cells;
• intoxication of the body with damage nervous system;
• damage to blood vessels;
• the development of secondary diseases affecting the brain, heart, liver, lungs, organs
• Gastrointestinal tract, muscles, skin, eyes;
• manifestations of fainting, coma;
• lethal outcome.

Causes

There are a lot of causes of diabetes mellitus, which are based on a general disruption of the functioning of the endocrine system of the body, based either on a deficiency of insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, or on the inability of the liver and body tissues to properly process and absorb glucose.

Due to the lack of this hormone in the body, the concentration of glucose in the blood constantly increases, which leads to metabolic disorders, since insulin performs an important function in controlling the processing of glucose in all cells and tissues of the body.

One of the reasons is a predisposition that is inherited. If a person has diabetics in his family, then he has a certain risk of getting this disease, especially if he leads an unhealthy lifestyle. The reasons for the development of diabetes, even in those who do not have a predisposition to it, can be:

• malnutrition and abuse of sweets;
• stress and various psycho-emotional stress; suffered a serious illness;
• disruption of the liver; lifestyle change;
• excess weight;
• hard work, etc.

Many people think that diabetes occurs in sweet tooth. It's in more a myth, but there is also an element of truth, if only because excess weight sweetly appears from excess consumption, and later obesity, which can be an impetus for type 2 diabetes.

The risk factors contributing to the development of this disease in children, in some respects, are similar to the above factors, however, they also have their own characteristics. Let's highlight the main factors:

• the birth of a child to parents with diabetes mellitus (if one or both of them have this disease);
• frequent occurrence of viral diseases in a child;
• the presence of certain metabolic disorders (obesity, etc.);
• birth weight of 4.5 kg or more;
• reduced immunity.

Important: The older a person becomes, the higher the likelihood of the disease in question. According to statistics, every 10 years the chances of developing diabetes double.

Types

Due to the fact that diabetes mellitus has many different etiologies, signs, complications, and of course, the type of treatment, experts have created a fairly voluminous formula for classifying this disease. Consider the types, types and degrees of diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes, which is associated with an absolute deficiency of the hormone insulin, usually appears acutely, abruptly, quickly turns into a state of ketoacidosis, which can lead to ketoacidotic coma. Most often manifested in young people: as a rule, most of these patients are under thirty years old. Approximately 10-15% of the total number of diabetic patients suffer from this form of the disease.

It is almost impossible to completely recover from type 1 diabetes, although there are cases of restoration of pancreatic functions, but this is possible only under special conditions and natural raw food.

To maintain the body, it is required to inject insulin into the body with a syringe. Since insulin is destroyed in the gastrointestinal tract, taking insulin in the form of tablets is not possible. Insulin is administered with meals.

type 2 diabetes

The second type, previously called non-insulin dependent, but this definition is not accurate, since with the progression of this type, insulin replacement therapy may be required. In this type of disease, insulin levels initially remain normal or even higher than normal.

However, body cells, primarily adipocytes (fat cells), become insensitive to it, which leads to an increase in blood glucose levels.

Degrees

This differentiation helps to quickly understand what is happening to the patient on different stages diseases:

1. 1 degree (mild). Diabetes mellitus of the 1st degree is at the initial stage, that is, the glucose level does not exceed more than 6.0 mol / liter. The patient does not have any complications of diabetes mellitus, it is compensated with the help of diet and special medications.
2. 2nd degree (medium). Type 2 diabetes is more dangerous and severe as glucose levels begin to exceed the normal amount. Also, the normal functioning of organs is disrupted, more precisely: the kidneys, eyes, heart, blood and nerve tissues. Also, the blood sugar level reaches more than 7.0 mol/liter.
3. 3 degree (severe). The disease is at a more acute stage, so it will be difficult to cure it with the help of medications and insulin. Sugar and glucose exceed 10-14 mol / liter, which means that the work of blood circulation deteriorates and blood rings can collapse, causing diseases of the blood and heart.
4. 4 degree . The most severe course of diabetes mellitus, characterized by a high level of glucose - up to 25 mmol / l, both glucose and protein are excreted in the urine, the condition is not corrected by any medicines. With this degree of the disease in question, kidney failure, gangrene of the lower extremities, and diabetic ulcers are often diagnosed.

The first signs of diabetes

The first signs of diabetes are usually associated with high blood sugar levels. Normally, this indicator in capillary blood on an empty stomach does not exceed 5.5 mM/l, and during the day - 7.8 mM/l. If the average daily sugar level becomes more than 9-13 mM / l, then the patient may experience the first complaints.

According to some signs, it is easy to recognize diabetes mellitus on early stage. A slight change in the condition, which anyone can notice, often indicates the development of the first or second type of this disease.

Signs to look out for:

• Excessive and frequent urination (about every hour)
• Itching of the skin and genitals.
• Intense thirst or an increased need to drink plenty of fluids.
• Dry mouth.
• Poor wound healing.
• First, a lot of weight, followed by a decrease in it due to a violation of the absorption of food, especially carbohydrates.

If signs of diabetes are detected, the doctor excludes other diseases with similar complaints (sugar insipidus, nephrogenic, hyperparathyroidism, and others). Next, an examination is carried out to determine the cause of diabetes and its type. In some typical cases, this task is not difficult, and sometimes additional examination is required.

Symptoms of Diabetes

The severity of symptoms depends entirely on the following parameters: the level of decrease in insulin secretion, the duration of the disease, the individual characteristics of the patient's body.

There is a complex of symptoms characteristic of both types of diabetes. The severity of the symptoms depends on the degree of decrease in insulin secretion, the duration of the disease and the individual characteristics of the patient:

• Constant thirst and frequent urination. The more the patient drinks, the more he wants;
• With increased appetite, weight is quickly lost;
• A “white veil” appears before the eyes, as the blood supply to the retina of the eye is disturbed;
• Disorders of sexual activity and a decrease in potency are common signs of the presence of diabetes mellitus;
• Frequent colds(ARVI, acute respiratory infections) occur in patients due to a decrease in the functions of the immune system. Against this background, there is a slow healing of wounds, dizziness and heaviness in the legs;
• Constant cramps of the calf muscles are the result of a lack of energy during the work of the muscular system.

Type 1 diabetes

Patients may complain of the following symptoms in type 1 diabetes: feeling of dryness in the mouth; constant unquenchable thirst; a sharp decrease in body weight with normal appetite; increase in the number of urination per day; unpleasant acetone odor from the mouth; irritability, general malaise, fatigue; blurred vision; feeling of heaviness in lower limbs; convulsions; nausea and vomiting; reduced temperature; dizziness.

type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by: common complaints: fatigue, blurred vision, memory problems; problematic skin: itching, frequent fungi, wounds and any damage do not heal well; thirst - up to 3-5 liters of fluid per day; a person often gets up to write at night; ulcers on the legs and feet, numbness or tingling in the legs, pain when walking; in women - thrush, which is difficult to treat; in the later stages of the disease - weight loss without diets; diabetes occurs without symptoms - in 50% of patients; vision loss, kidney disease, sudden heart attack, stroke.

How does diabetes manifest itself in women?

• Sudden weight loss- a sign that should be alarming if the diet is not followed, the previous appetite remains. Weight loss occurs due to a deficiency of insulin, which is necessary for the delivery of glucose to fat cells.
• Thirst. Diabetic ketoacidosis causes uncontrolled thirst. In this case, even if you drink a large amount of liquid, dry mouth remains.
• Fatigue . Feeling of physical exhaustion, which in some cases has no apparent cause.
• increased appetite(polyphagia). A special behavior in which saturation of the body does not occur even after taking a sufficient amount of food. Polyphagia is the main symptom of impaired glucose metabolism in diabetes mellitus.
• Violation of metabolic processes in the body of a woman leads to a violation of the microflora of the body. The first signs of the development of metabolic disorders are vaginal infections, which are practically not cured.
• Non-healing wounds, turning into ulcers - the characteristic first signs of diabetes in girls and women
• Osteoporosis - accompanies insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, because the lack of this hormone directly affects the formation of bone tissue.

Signs of diabetes in men

The main signs that diabetes is developing in men are the following:

• the occurrence of general weakness and a significant decrease in performance;
• the appearance of itching on the skin, especially this applies to the skin in the genital area;
• sexual disorders, progression of inflammatory processes and development of impotence;
• the occurrence of a feeling of thirst, dryness in the oral cavity and a constant feeling of hunger;
• the appearance of ulcerative formations on the skin, which do not heal for a long time;
• frequent urge to urinate;
• tooth decay and hair loss.

Complications

By itself, diabetes mellitus does not pose a threat to human life. Its complications and their consequences are dangerous. It is impossible not to mention some of them, which are either often encountered or pose an immediate danger to the life of the patient.

First of all, it should be noted the most acute forms of complications. For the life of every diabetic, such complications pose the greatest danger, because they can lead to death.

Acute complications include:

• ketoacidosis;
• hyperosmolar coma;
• hypoglycemia;
• lactic acid coma.

Acute complications during diabetes are identical in both children and adults

Chronic complications include the following:

• encephalopathy in diabetic form;
• skin lesions in the form of follicles and structural changes directly in the epidermis;
• diabetic foot or hand syndrome;
• nephropathy;
• retinopathy.

Prevention of complications

Preventive measures include:

• weight control - if the patient feels that he is gaining extra pounds, then you need to contact a nutritionist and get advice on compiling a rational menu;
• permanent physical exercise- about how intense they should be, the attending physician will tell;
• constant monitoring of blood pressure.

Prevention of complications in diabetes mellitus, it is possible with constant treatment and careful monitoring of blood glucose levels.

Diagnostics

Diabetes mellitus manifests itself gradually in a person, therefore, doctors distinguish three periods of its development.

1. In people who are prone to the disease due to the presence of certain risk factors, the so-called pre-diabetes period manifests itself.
2. If glucose is already assimilated with disturbances, but signs of the disease do not yet appear, then the patient is diagnosed with a period of latent diabetes mellitus.
3. The third period is the development of the disease itself.

If there is a suspicion of diabetes mellitus, this diagnosis must be either confirmed or refuted. There are a number of laboratory and instrumental methods for this. These include:

• Determination of the level of glucose in the blood. The normal value is 3.3-5.5 mmol / l.
• The level of glucose in the urine. Normally, sugar in the urine is not detected.
• Blood test for glycosylated hemoglobin. The norm is 4–6%.
• IRI (immunoreactive insulin). The normal value is 86-180 nmol / l. In type 1 diabetes, it is reduced; in type 2 diabetes, it is normal or elevated.
• Urinalysis - to diagnose kidney damage.
• Skin capillaroscopy, Doppler ultrasound - for the diagnosis of vascular damage.
• Examination of the fundus - to diagnose retinal lesions.

Blood sugar

What levels of sugar are considered normal?

• 3.3 - 5.5 mmol / l is the norm for blood sugar, regardless of your age.
• 5.5 - 6 mmol / l is prediabetes, impaired glucose tolerance.
• 6. 5 mmol / l and above is already diabetes.

To confirm the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, repeated measurement of blood sugar at different times of the day is required. Measurements are best carried out in a medical laboratory and self-monitoring devices should not be trusted, as they have a significant measurement error.

Note: in order to exclude false positive results, it is necessary not only to measure the level of sugar in the blood, but also to conduct a glucose tolerance test (a blood sample with a sugar load).

The norms are given in the table (measurement value - mmol / l):

Result evaluation	capillary blood	deoxygenated blood
Norm
Fasting blood glucose test	3,5-5,5	3,5-6,1
After taking glucose (after 2 hours) or after eating	less than 7.8	less than 7.8
prediabetes
on an empty stomach	from 5.6 to 6.1	from 6 to 7.1
After glucose or after meals	7,8-11,1	7,8-11,1
on an empty stomach	over 6.1	over 7
After glucose or after meals	over 11.1	over 11.1

All patients with diabetes should be consulted by such specialists:

• Endocrinologist;
• Cardiologist;
• neuropathologist;
• Ophthalmologist;
• Surgeon (vascular or special doctor - pediatrician);

How to treat diabetes in adults?

Doctors prescribe complex treatment for diabetes mellitus in order to maintain normal blood glucose levels. In this case, it is important to consider that neither hyperglycemia, that is, an increase in sugar levels, nor hypoglycemia, that is, its fall, should be allowed.

Before starting treatment, it is necessary to conduct an accurate diagnosis of the body, because. a positive prognosis of recovery depends on this.

Treatment for diabetes aims to:

• lowering blood sugar levels;
• normalization of metabolism;
• prevention of complications of diabetes.

Treatment with insulin preparations

Insulin drugs for the treatment of diabetes are divided into 4 categories, according to the duration of action:

• Ultrashort-acting (onset of action - after 15 minutes, duration of action - 3-4 hours): insulin LizPro, insulin aspart.
• Rapid action (the onset of action is after 30 minutes–1 hour; the duration of action is 6–8 hours).
• The average duration of action (the onset of action is after 1-2.5 hours, the duration of action is 14-20 hours).
• Long-acting (onset of action - after 4 hours; duration of action up to 28 hours).

Insulin regimens are strictly individual and are selected for each patient by a diabetologist or endocrinologist.

pledge effective treatment diabetes is the careful control of blood sugar levels. However, it is impossible to take laboratory tests several times a day. Portable glucometers come to the rescue, they are compact, easy to take with you and check the glucose level where it is needed.

Makes it easier to check the interface in Russian, marks before and after meals. The devices are extremely easy to use, while they differ in measurement accuracy. Keep your diabetes under control with a portable glucometer

Diet

The main principles of diet therapy include:

• strictly individual selection of daily calorie content, complete exclusion of easily digestible carbohydrates;
• strictly calculated content of physiological amounts of fats, proteins, vitamins and carbohydrates;
• fractional meals with evenly distributed carbohydrates and calories.

In the diet used for diabetes, the ratio of carbohydrates, fats and proteins should be as close to physiological as possible:

• 50-60% of total calories should come from carbohydrates
• 25 - 30% for fats,
• 15 - 20% for proteins.

Also, the diet should contain at least 4 - 4.5 grams of carbohydrates per kilogram of body weight, 1 - 1.5 grams of protein and 0.75 - 1.5 grams of fat in a daily dosage.

The diet in the treatment of diabetes mellitus (table No. 9) is aimed at normalizing carbohydrate metabolism and preventing fat metabolism disorders.

Physical exercise

Regular exercise will help lower your blood sugar levels. In addition, physical activity will help you lose weight.

It is not necessary to do daily jogging or go to the gym, it is enough to do at least 30 minutes 3 times a week to do moderate physical activity. Walking daily will be very useful. Even if you work on your garden plot several days a week, this will have a positive effect on your well-being.

Folk remedies

Before use folk methods with diabetes mellitus, it is possible only after consultation with an endocrinologist, because. there are contraindications.

1. Lemon and eggs. Squeeze the juice from 1 lemon and mix 1 raw egg well with it. Drink the resulting remedy 60 minutes before meals, for 3 days.
2. Burdock juice. Juice from crushed burdock root, dug up in May, effectively reduces sugar levels. It is taken three times a day, 15 ml, diluting this amount with 250 ml of cool boiled water.
3. In case of diabetes mellitus, simmer ripe walnuts (40 g) in 0.5 liters of boiling water over low heat for 1 hour; take 3 times a day, 15 ml.
4. psyllium seeds(15 g) is poured into an enamel bowl with a glass of water, boiled over low heat for 5 minutes. The cooled broth is filtered and taken 1 dessert spoon 3 times a day.
5. Baked onion. You can normalize sugar, especially in the initial phase of the disease, with the daily use of a baked onion in the morning on an empty stomach. The result can be tracked after 1-1.5 months.
6. Millet against infection. Against infection and for the prevention of diabetes, you can use the following recipe: take 1 handful of millet, rinse, pour 1 liter of boiling water, leave overnight and drink during the day. Repeat the procedure for 3 days.
7. Lilac buds. Infusion of lilac buds helps to normalize blood glucose levels. At the end of April, the kidneys are collected in the swelling stage, dried, stored in glass jar or paper bag and use all year round. Daily rate infusion: 2 tbsp. spoons of dry raw materials pour 0.4 liters of boiling water, insist 5-6 hours, filter, divide the resulting liquid into 4 times and drink before meals.
8. Helps lower blood sugar and regular bay leaf. You need to take 8 pieces of bay leaf and pour it with 250 grams of "cool" boiling water, the infusion must be infused in a thermos for about a day. The infusion is taken warm, each time you need to strain the infusion from the thermos. Take 1/4 cup twenty minutes before meals.

Lifestyle of a person with diabetes

Basic rules to follow for a diabetic patient:

• eat food, rich in fiber. These are oats, legumes, vegetables and fruits.
• Reduce your cholesterol intake.
• Use a sweetener instead of sugar.
• Eat often, but in small quantities. The patient's body can cope better with a small dose of food, since it requires less insulin.
• Check your feet several times a day for damage, wash every day with soap and dry.
• If you are overweight, weight loss is the first step in managing diabetes.
• Be sure to take care of your teeth to avoid infection.
• Avoid stress.
• Get your blood tested regularly.
• Do not buy medicines without prescriptions

Forecast

Patients with diagnosed diabetes mellitus are registered with an endocrinologist. With the organization of the right lifestyle, nutrition, treatment, the patient can feel satisfactory long years. Aggravate the prognosis of diabetes mellitus and reduce the life expectancy of patients with acute and chronically developing complications.

Prevention

To prevent the development of diabetes, the following preventive measures are required:

• healthy eating: diet control, dieting - avoiding sugar and fatty foods reduces the risk of developing diabetes by 10-15%;
• physical activity: normalize blood pressure, immunity and reduce weight;
• control of sugar levels;
• exclusion of stress.

If you have appeared characteristics diabetes, then be sure to go to an appointment with an endocrinologist, because. early treatment is the most effective. Take care of yourself and your health!

- a disease that is characterized by the complete inability of the body to produce insulin on its own, which is why patients with this diagnosis are called insulin-dependent. For what reasons this happens, we will find out further.

Why do children get type 1 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes can affect a child's body for the following reasons:

• hereditary predisposition. It is highly likely that a child will inherit the disease if one or both parents have diabetes. This is due to the fact that from birth the number of cells that produce insulin is laid in the child. In this case, its signs may appear from the very first years of life or later (see also - symptoms of type 1 diabetes).
• Sedentary lifestyle. Due to physical activity, glucose in the blood is intensively burned, which has a good effect on the functioning of the pancreas. If the child is not active enough, then sugar is not converted into energy, deposited in the form of fat. So, as a result of obesity, the pancreas does not have time to do its job, which causes diabetes.
• Wrong nutrition. As a result of daily consumption of sweets, sweets, white flour pastries and other junk food in unlimited quantities, a child can develop obesity, and this is the first step to the appearance of type 1 diabetes.

Why are women diagnosed with type 1 diabetes?

Common causes of the development of the disease in women include:

• Transferred infectious diseases(especially enteroviral - Coxsackie B viruses). The fact is that with such diseases, the cells of the pancreas are destroyed.
• Genetic predisposition to the disease.

At the same time, there are a number of factors that are characteristic only for the female body. These include the following:

• Gestational diabetes during pregnancy . This disease is diagnosed during pregnancy in women who have not previously had diabetes, but during the period of bearing a child, blood sugar levels are elevated. After childbirth, the disease may go away or develop into type 1 diabetes.

• Impaired glucose tolerance as a result of stress, excess weight, inactivity, dysfunction thyroid gland. If treatment is not started on time, the cells will lose sensitivity to insulin, which will lead to diabetes.
• Carrying a large fetus . At the same time, it is likely that the metabolism in the woman’s body will be disturbed, so glucose will enter the blood in large quantities, provoking weight gain and diabetes.

What causes type 1 diabetes in men?

In men, type 1 diabetes mellitus most often develops during adolescence and puberty. The main reason for this is disorders in the immune system , which is caused by viral diseases and genetic predisposition. In this case, the male body tries to defend itself, and begins to produce antibodies that deal a devastating blow to the cells of the pancreas.

If a man in the family had someone who suffered from type 1 diabetes, then the probability of diagnosing the disease for him is 80%.

Improper nutrition often leads to the development of diabetes. So, those men who like to eat fast food, soda, beer and other foods that are high in carbohydrates are also at risk. Due to this diet, the body lacks fiber, which negatively affects the pancreas, and this is the main organ that is responsible for the production of insulin.

Stress in men, the same can be a significant reason for the development of type 1 diabetes, especially if it provokes the release of adrenaline and norepinephrine, which is why the immune system spends a lot of resources on repair and, therefore, weakens.

Other causes of type 1 diabetes in men include:

• ischemia of the heart - myocardial circulation is disturbed;
• atherosclerosis - cholesterol accumulates in large and medium arteries, which leads to systemic problems;
• arterial hypertension - chronic high arterial pressure resulting in thickening of the arterial wall.

In these three cases, the appearance of diabetes mellitus is only a consequence of another disease.

What is the physiological reason?

In all groups - children, women, men - it lies in the fact that the beta cells of the pancreas begin to break down. As a result, their dysfunction provokes the inability of the body to produce insulin.

A lack of insulin leads to a lack of energy, and blood sugar begins to go off scale, because of which it is simply not processed. Fat cells begin to break down quickly, and a lot of free fats appear in the body, the accumulation of which also occurs in the blood.

From the inability of the body to produce proteins, they break down and form amino acids, the level of which rises sharply. As a result of such changes, a metabolic disorder occurs: trying to cleanse the blood, the liver processes them into ketone bodies, which replace insulin for organs that cannot live without it, for example, the brain. Too much ketone bodies in the body can cause coma.

Diabetic coma is a terrible consequence of uncontrolled diabetes. Therefore, we urge you to be attentive to yourself, because the causes of type 1 diabetes mellitus lie not only in a genetic predisposition, but also in an unhealthy lifestyle. Therefore, in order not to become a victim of such a diagnosis, it is necessary to eat right and engage in physical activity, both for adults and children.

Type 1 diabetes is an incurable chronic disease that is most often diagnosed in patients during childhood and adolescence. This type of diabetes is an autoimmune disease and is characterized by a complete cessation of insulin secretion as a result of the destruction of pancreatic cells.

Since type 1 diabetes begins to develop in a patient in more early age than type 2 diabetes, its impact on the life expectancy of the patient is more pronounced. In such patients, the disease passes into a more severe stage much earlier and is accompanied by the development of dangerous complications.

But life expectancy in type 1 diabetes largely depends on the patient himself and his responsible attitude to treatment. Therefore, speaking about how long diabetics live, it is necessary first of all to note the factors that can prolong the life of the patient and make it more complete.

Causes of early death in type 1 diabetes

Half a century ago, the mortality rate among patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus in the first years after diagnosis was 35%. Today it has dropped to 10%. This is largely due to the emergence of better and more affordable insulin preparations, as well as the development of other treatments for this disease.

But despite all the advances in medicine, doctors have not been able to reduce to zero the likelihood of early death in type 1 diabetes. Most often, its cause is the patient's negligent attitude to his illness, regular violation of the diet, insulin injection regimen and other medical prescriptions.

Another factor that negatively affects the life expectancy of a patient with type 1 diabetes is the too young age of the patient. In this case, the entire responsibility for its successful treatment lies solely on the shoulders of the parents.

The main causes of early death in patients with type 1 diabetes are:

1. Ketoacidotic coma in diabetic children under 4 years of age;
2. Ketoacidosis and hypoglycemia in children from 4 to 15 years;
3. Regular consumption of alcoholic beverages among adult patients.

Diabetes mellitus in children under 4 years of age can be very severe. At this age, just a few hours are enough for an increase in blood sugar to develop into severe hyperglycemia, and after a ketoacidotic coma.

In this condition, the child has the highest level of acetone in the blood and develops severe dehydration. Even with timely medical care, doctors are not always able to save young children who have fallen into a ketoacidotic coma.

School-age children with type 1 diabetes most often die from severe hypoglycemia and ketoacidase. This often happens as a result of the inattention of young patients to their well-being, because of which they may miss the first signs of deterioration.

A child is more likely than adults to skip insulin injections, which can lead to a sharp jump in blood sugar levels. In addition, it is harder for children to stick to a low-carb diet and refuse sweets.

Many young diabetics secretly eat sweets or ice cream from their parents without adjusting their insulin dosage, which can lead to hypoglycemic or ketoacidotic coma.

In adults with type 1 diabetes, the leading causes of early death are bad habits especially frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages. As you know, alcohol is contraindicated for diabetics and its regular intake can significantly worsen the patient's condition.

When drinking alcohol, a diabetic first experiences a rise and then a sharp drop in blood sugar levels, which leads to such a dangerous condition as hypoglycemia. Being in a state of intoxication, the patient cannot react in time to the deterioration of the condition and stop the hypoglycemic attack, which is why he often falls into a coma and dies.

How long do people with type 1 diabetes live?

Sugar level

Today, life expectancy in type 1 diabetes has increased markedly and is at least 30 years from the onset of the disease. Thus, a person suffering from this dangerous chronic disease can live for more than 40 years.

On average, people with type 1 diabetes live 50-60 years. But subject to the most careful control of blood sugar levels and the prevention of complications, it is possible to increase life expectancy up to 70-75 years. At the same time, there are cases when a person diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus has a life expectancy of more than 90 years.

But such a long life is not typical for diabetics. Typically, people with this disease live less than the average life expectancy in the population. At the same time, according to statistics, women live 12 years less than their healthy counterparts, and men - 20 years less.

Type 1 diabetes is characterized by a rapid onset with severe symptoms, which distinguishes it from type 2 diabetes. Therefore, people suffering from juvenile diabetes have a shorter life expectancy than patients with type 2 diabetes.

In addition, type 2 diabetes usually affects adults and the elderly, while type 1 diabetes usually affects children and young people under 30 years of age. For this reason, juvenile diabetes leads to the death of the patient at a much earlier age than insulin-dependent diabetes.

Factors that shorten the life of a patient diagnosed with type 1 diabetes:

• Diseases of cardio-vascular system. High blood sugar affects the walls of blood vessels, which leads to the rapid development of atherosclerosis of blood vessels and coronary heart disease. As a result, many diabetic patients die from a heart attack or stroke.
• Damage to the peripheral vessels of the heart. The defeat of the capillary, and then the venous system becomes the main cause of circulatory disorders in the extremities. This leads to the formation of non-healing trophic ulcers on the legs, and in the future to the loss of a limb.
• Renal failure. Enhanced level glucose and acetone in the urine destroys kidney tissue and causes severe kidney failure. It is this complication of diabetes that becomes the main cause of death among patients over 40 years of age.
• Damage to the central and peripheral nervous system. The destruction of nerve fibers leads to loss of sensation in the limbs, deterioration of vision and, most importantly, to disruptions in the heart rhythm. Such a complication can cause sudden cardiac arrest and death of the patient.

These are the most common, but not the only, causes of death among diabetics. - this is a disease that causes a whole complex of pathologies in the patient's body that can eventually lead to the death of the patient. Therefore, this disease must be taken seriously and prevention of complications should be started long before they appear.

How to prolong life with type 1 diabetes

Like any other person, diabetics dream of living as long as possible and leading a full life. But is it possible to change the negative prognosis for this disease and prolong the life of patients with diabetes for a longer period?

Of course, yes, and no matter what type of diabetes was diagnosed in a patient - one or two, life expectancy can be increased with any diagnosis. But for this, the patient should strictly fulfill one condition, namely, always be extremely attentive to his condition.

Otherwise, he can very soon earn severe complications and die within 10 years after the discovery of the disease. There are several simple methods that will help protect a diabetic from early death and extend his life for many years:

1. Constant monitoring of blood sugar levels and regular injections of insulin;
2. Following a strict low-carbohydrate diet containing low-fat foods glycemic index. Also, patients with diabetes should avoid fatty foods and foods, as being overweight aggravates the course of the disease;
3. Regular physical activity, which contributes to the burning of excess sugar in the blood and maintaining the normal weight of the patient;
4. The exclusion of any stressful situations from the patient's life, since strong emotional experiences provoke an increase in the level of glucose in the body;
5. Careful body care, especially for the feet. This will help avoid the formation of trophic ulcers (more about);
6. Regular preventive examinations by a doctor, which will allow timely detection of deterioration in the patient's condition and, if necessary, adjust the treatment regimen.

Life expectancy in type 1 diabetes mellitus largely depends on the patient himself and his responsible attitude to his condition. With timely detection of the disease and proper treatment, you can live with diabetes until old age. The video in this article will tell you whether it is possible to die from diabetes.

According to statistics, every 3 people in the world can be diagnosed with diabetes mellitus by doctors. This disease is on a par with such pathologies threatening humanity as oncology, AIDS. Despite the fact that diabetes mellitus is a well-studied disease, in order to make an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to undergo a complete examination of the body - in medicine, several types and degrees of pathology are distinguished.

Diabetes mellitus - the essence of the disease

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Violation of metabolic processes relating to carbohydrates and water is classified in medicine as diabetes mellitus. For this reason, there are violations in the work of the pancreas, which produces the hormone insulin - it is actively involved in the processing of sugar in the body. It is insulin that promotes the processing of sugar into glucose, otherwise sugar accumulates in the blood, is excreted through the urinary tract (with urine), in this state the body tissues are not able to retain water in their cells - it also begins to be excreted from the body.

Diabetes mellitus is an increased content of sugar and glucose in the blood, but a catastrophic lack of these elements in the cells of organ tissues.

The disease may be congenital we are talking about aggravated heredity) or acquired. The severity of the development of diabetes mellitus does not depend on this, patients still suffer from a lack of insulin, against which pustular skin diseases, atherosclerosis, hypertension, diseases of the kidneys and nervous system develop, and vision deteriorates.

Disease pathogenesis

The pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus is a very conditional thing, because doctors only partially recognize it. Considering that there are two main types of the disease under consideration, which are radically different from each other, it is impossible to speak of an unconditional mechanism for the development of pathology. Nevertheless, the basis of pathogenesis is taken hyperglycemic index. What it is?

hyperglycemia- a condition in which the sugar entering the body is not processed into glucose due to an insufficient amount of insulin produced by the pancreas. In turn, this leads to a lack of glucose in the cells of the organs - insulin simply stops interacting with the cells.

Why do doctors accept this explanation of the mechanism of development of diabetes as the only true one? Because other diseases can lead to a hyperglycemic state. These include:

• hyperthyroidism;
• adrenal tumor - it produces hormones that have the opposite effect on insulin;
• hyperfunction of the adrenal glands;
• cirrhosis of the liver;
• glucagonoma;
• somatostatinoma;
• transient hyperglycemia is a short-term accumulation of sugar in the blood.

Important:not every hyperglycemia can be considered unconditional diabetes mellitus - only that which develops against the background of a primary violation of insulin action.

When diagnosing hyperglycemia in a patient, doctors must differentiate the above diseases - if they are diagnosed, then diabetes mellitus in this case will be conditional, temporary. After curing the underlying disease, the work of the pancreas and the action of insulin are restored.

Types of Diabetes

The division of the disease under consideration into two main types is an important task. Each of them has not only distinctive characteristics, even treatment in the initial stage of diabetes will occur according to completely different schemes. But the longer the patient lives with diagnosed diabetes, the less noticeable the signs of its types become, and the treatment usually comes down to the same scheme.

Type 1 diabetes

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He is called insulin dependent diabetes, it is considered a rather serious disease and patients are forced to adhere to a strict diet all their lives. Type 1 diabetes is the destruction of pancreatic cells by the body itself. Patients with this diagnosis are forced to constantly inject themselves with insulin, and since it is destroyed in the gastrointestinal tract, the effect will be only from injections.
Important:it is impossible to completely get rid of the pathology, but in medicine there have been cases when recovery happened - patients adhered to special conditions and natural raw food.

Type 2 diabetes

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This type of disease is considered non-insulin dependent, develops in people of the older age category (after 40 years) with obesity. What happens is that the body's cells are overwhelmed with nutrients and lose sensitivity to insulin.
The appointment of insulin injections in such patients is not mandatory, and only a specialist can determine the appropriateness of such treatment. Most often, patients with type 2 diabetes are prescribed a strict diet, as a result of which the weight will decrease gradually (no more than 3 kg per month). As a last resort.

If the diet does not give positive dynamics, sugar-lowering pills may be prescribed. Insulin is prescribed in the most extreme case, when the pathology begins to pose a danger to the life of the patient.

Degrees of diabetes

This differentiation helps to quickly understand what happens to the patient at different stages of the disease. Such a classification is needed by doctors who can make the right decision about treatment in an emergency.

1 degree. This is the most favorable course of the disease in question - the glucose level is not higher than 7 mmol / l, glucose is not excreted in the urine, blood counts remain within the normal range. The patient does not have any complications of diabetes mellitus, it is compensated with the help of diet and special medications.

2 degree. Diabetes mellitus becomes partially compensated, the patient has signs of complications. There is damage to some organs - for example, vision, kidneys, blood vessels suffer.

3 degree. This degree of diabetes mellitus is not treatable with medications and diet, glucose is actively excreted in the urine, and its level is 14 mmol / l. The 3rd degree of diabetes mellitus is characterized by clear signs of complications - vision is rapidly decreasing, numbness of the upper / lower extremities is actively developing, stable high blood pressure (hypertension) is diagnosed.

4 degree. The most severe course of diabetes mellitus is characterized by a high level of glucose - up to 25 mmol / l, both glucose and protein are excreted in the urine, the condition is not corrected by any drugs. With this degree of the disease in question, gangrene of the lower extremities, diabetic ulcers are often diagnosed.

Symptoms of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus never "starts" at lightning speed - it is characterized by a gradual increase in symptoms, a long development. The first signs of the disease in question include:

1. Intense thirst that is almost impossible to quench. Patients with diabetes consume up to 5-7 liters of fluid per day.
2. Dryness of the skin and recurrent itching, which is often referred to as nervous manifestations.
3. Constant dry mouth, no matter how much liquid the patient drinks per day.
4. Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating, especially on the palms.
5. Weight variability - a person either rapidly loses weight without any diets, or quickly gains weight.
6. Muscle weakness - patients at the earliest stage of development of diabetes note fatigue, the inability to perform any physical work.
7. Prolonged healing of skin wounds - even an ordinary scratch can develop into a purulent wound.
8. Pustular processes are often noted on the skin for no apparent reason.

Note:even if any one of the above signs is present, you need to seek help from specialists as soon as possible - most likely the patient will be diagnosed with diabetes mellitus.
But even if the disease in question has been diagnosed and is amenable to therapeutic correction, the development of complicated diabetes is also possible. Its symptoms include:

1. Regular and dizzy.
2. Increased blood pressure - at certain points, the indicators can reach.
3. Walking is disturbed, pain is constantly present in the lower extremities.
4. Liver enlargement - this syndrome is considered a complication only if it was absent before the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.
5. Severe swelling of the face and.
6. Significant decrease in the sensitivity of the feet.
7. Progressive loss of visual acuity.
8. A clearly perceptible smell of acetone begins to emanate from the patient.

Causes of diabetes

Doctors have identified several factors that can lead to the development of the disease in question. These include:

1. Heredity. This factor does not at all mean the birth of a child with existing diabetes mellitus, there is simply such a predisposition. Other risk factors should be kept to a minimum.
2. Viral infections. Influenza, rubella, epidemic hepatitis and chicken pox - these infections can become a "push" to the development of diabetes, especially if the patient is at risk for the disease in question.
3. Obesity. In order to avoid the first signs of diabetes, it is enough to reduce weight.
4. Some diseases. Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), pancreatic cancer, pathological processes in other glandular organs can lead to damage to the cells that produce insulin.

In addition, the body should be protected from nervous stress, depression and nervous conditions - this can serve as a kind of trigger in the development of diabetes.

Important:the older a person becomes, the higher the likelihood of the disease in question. According to statistics, every 10 years the chances of developing diabetes double.

Diagnosis of diabetes

If there are suspicions of diabetes mellitus, then it is necessary to undergo a full examination - for this you will need to pass several tests, use instrumental methods of examination. The list of diagnostic measures for diabetes mellitus includes:

1. A laboratory study of blood for the presence of glucose in it - fasting glycemia is determined.
2. Test determination of glucose tolerance - the examination is done after taking glucose.
3. The dynamics of the development of the disease is monitored - glycemia is measured several times a day.
4. General analysis of urine for the presence of protein, glucose and leukocytes in it (normally, these components are absent).
5. Laboratory study of urine analysis for the presence of acetone in it.
6. A blood test for the presence of glycosylated hemoglobin in it - this indicator determines the level of development of complications of diabetes mellitus.
7. A biochemical blood test - a doctor can determine the degree of functioning of the liver and kidneys against the background of progressive diabetes.
8. Reberg's test is carried out - the degree of damage to the kidneys and urinary tract is determined in case of diagnosed diabetes mellitus.
9. Blood test to determine the level of endogenous insulin.
10. Ophthalmologist consultation and eye examination.
11. Ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs.
12. Electrocardiogram - monitors the work of the heart against the background of diabetes mellitus.
13. Studies aimed at determining the level of damage to the vessels of the lower extremities - this allows you to prevent the development of diabetic foot.

Patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus or suspected of having this disease should also be examined by narrow specialists as part of diagnostic measures. TO mandatory attendance physicians include:

• endocrinologist;
• ophthalmologist;
• cardiologist;
• vascular surgeon;
• neuropathologist.

Blood sugar levels

One of the most important indicators of the state of health in diabetes mellitus, which can serve as a diagnostic of the functioning of organs and systems, is the level of sugar in the blood. It is from this indicator that doctors “repel” into conducting more specialized diagnostics and prescribing treatment. There is a clear value that will indicate to the patient and the doctor the state of carbohydrate metabolism.

Note:in order to exclude false positive results, it is necessary not only to measure the level of sugar in the blood, but also to conduct a glucose tolerance test (a blood sample with a sugar load).

To take a blood sample with a sugar load, you must first take a regular blood test for sugar, then take 75 grams of soluble glucose (sold in pharmacies) and retake the test 1 or 2 hours later. The norms are given in the table (measurement value - mmol / l):
After passing two analyzes, it is necessary to determine the following values:

• The hyperglycemic coefficient is the ratio of the glucose level one hour after a glucose load to the fasting blood glucose level. Normally, the indicator should not exceed 1.7.
• The hypoglycemic coefficient is the ratio of the blood glucose level 2 hours after a sugar load to the fasting blood glucose level. Normally, the indicator should not exceed 1.3.

Possible complications of diabetes

In fact, diabetes mellitus does not pose a danger to the health and life of the patient, but with the development of complications, the most unfortunate consequences are possible, leading to disruption of normal life.

diabetic coma

Symptoms of a diabetic coma grow rapidly, at lightning speed - you can not hesitate for a minute, and leaving the patient in this state directly threatens his life. The most dangerous sign is a violation of a person’s consciousness, which is characterized by his depression, lethargy of the patient.
The most commonly diagnosed ketoacidotic coma is a condition triggered by the accumulation of toxic substances. At the same time, nerve cells fall under the destructive effect of toxic substances, and the main, and sometimes the only, symptom of ketoacidotic coma is a stable, intense smell of acetone from the patient.

The second most common type of coma is hypoglycemic, which can be triggered by an overdose of insulin. The patient has the following symptoms:

• clouding of consciousness - a semi-conscious state;
• the face and palms are covered with cold sweat - its amount is quite large and noticeable to the naked eye;
• a rapid/critical decrease in blood glucose levels is recorded.

There are other types of diabetic coma, but they are extremely rare.

Unstable blood pressure

Blood pressure indicators can become a determinant of the severity of the development of the disease in question. For example, if a constant increase in pressure is noted during regular measurement of pressure, then this may indicate the occurrence of one of the most dangerous complications - diabetic nephropathy (the kidneys do not work). Often, doctors recommend that patients with diagnosed diabetes regularly measure blood pressure in the lower extremities - its decrease indicates damage to the vessels of the legs.

Edema in diabetes

They indicate the development of heart failure and nephropathy. With constant edema, accompanied by instability in blood sugar levels, it is urgent to seek help from doctors - the situation is very serious and at any time the kidneys can completely fail or myocardial infarction can occur.

Trophic ulcers

They occur only in those patients who have been struggling with diabetes for a long time and develop, first of all, on the feet (there is the concept of "diabetic foot"). The problem is that people do not pay attention to the first signs of the considered complication of diabetes mellitus - corns, accompanied by pain in the legs and their swelling. Patients go to the doctor when the foot becomes pronounced red, the swelling reaches a maximum (the patient cannot stand up and put on shoes).

Gangrene

A very serious complication that develops against the background of damage to large and small blood vessels. Most often, gangrene is diagnosed on the lower extremities, is not treatable and almost always leads to amputation of the legs (but there are exceptions).

Prevention of complications of diabetes

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If the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus has already been approved by a doctor, then every effort must be made to prevent the development of its complications. Living with the disease in question is quite realistic, and living fully, but only if there are no serious complications. Preventive measures include:

• weight control- if the patient feels that he is gaining extra pounds, then you need to contact a nutritionist and get advice on compiling a rational menu;
• constant physical activity- about how intense they should be, the attending physician will tell;
• constant monitoring of blood pressure.

Diabetes mellitus is recognized as an incurable disease, but if type 2 diabetes is diagnosed, then there are chances for a complete recovery - you just need to choose a diet aimed at normalizing carbohydrate metabolism. The main task of a patient with the disease in question is to prevent the development of complications, which pose a real danger to human health and life. More detailed information about diagnostic methods, types, stages and treatment of diabetes mellitus you will receive by watching this video review:

Tsygankova Yana Alexandrovna, medical observer, therapist of the highest qualification category