Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by an increase in glucose indicators, in which pathological processes affect almost all organs and systems. With the course of the disease, energy metabolism in the body is disturbed. Glucose is a substance that a person receives with food, and then blood delivers it to the cells. However, to penetrate the organs, glucose needs the hormone insulin.
According to the ICD code 10, type 2 diabetes mellitus belongs to the 4th class of endocrine diseases and metabolic disorders and is encoded by the E11 code.
Features of the disease
Pancreatic cells produce insulin. In type 2 diabetes mellitus, a relative deficiency of this hormone is observed. This means that at the very beginning of the course of the disease, cells can produce normal or even increased amounts of insulin, but then it decreases sharply.
That is why, the delivery of glucose to cells and organs is not performed in full. Excess sugar accumulates in the blood. This negatively affects the vessels and the nervous system, which adversely affects their functioning. This condition leads to the development of many complications. Usually, the disease begins to develop with obesity or genetic abnormalities.
Causes of occurrence
Among the main causes of type 2 diabetes mellitus are the following:
- overweight;
- lack of movement;
- excess in the diet of easily digestible carbohydrates;
- genetic predisposition.
Adipose tissue significantly increases the activity of metabolic processes and affects the production of insulin. The most dangerous accumulation of fat in the waist. A sedentary lifestyle leads to a decrease in muscle demand for glucose. If physical activity is absent, then it is in a significant amount in the blood.
An excess in the usual diet of easily digestible carbohydrates leads to increased production of hormones. Significantly increases the likelihood of diabetes a genetic predisposition. The provoking factors include the age of the person. Often the disease develops after 40 years.
Severity
Depending on the severity of the course, type 2 diabetes mellitus is divided into:
With a mild course, a special diet is sufficient to maintain the glucose level at the required level. Medications are generally not prescribed. It is found quite rarely, since basically diagnostics are already carried out at a more advanced stage.
An average degree is considered the most common. The patient needs drugs to lower glucose. Complications at this stage are not observed or they are weakly expressed and in no way affect the quality of life. At this stage, insulin deficiency may be observed due to a decrease in pancreatic function. In this case, it is additionally administered as an injection. At this stage, weight loss is observed, since the body cannot absorb sugar and therefore it breaks down its own fats and muscles.
A severe degree is characterized by the presence of complications. With improperly selected treatment or its absence, various kinds of disorders occur in the vessels of the kidneys, as well as the eyes. In addition, heart failure, diabetic foot syndrome may occur. The nervous system suffers from this disease, and degenerative changes in this area also occur.
The main symptoms
Symptoms of the course of the disease are quite non-specific. Mostly, they do not notice their occurrence and do not experience significant discomfort and disturbance of well-being. However, knowing what signs of a violation may be, it is possible to recognize the course of the disease in a timely manner and consult a doctor for diagnosis and subsequent treatment. Timely therapy will prevent complications. The main signs of the course of this pathological process are:
- increased urine output;
- intense thirst;
- dry mouth
- increased appetite;
- itching of the mucous membranes.
On the skin, pustules can occur that do not heal for a long time. In addition, one of the symptoms may be fungal infections and impotence. The disease can be detected by accident, when contacting a doctor with a heart attack or stroke. This may indicate the occurrence of dangerous complications.
Classical signs appear only with an increase in glucose. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the fact that the accumulation of sugar in tissues and organs occurs immediately.
Diagnostics
For people suffering from diabetes, treatment is selected individually. However, before this you need to conduct a comprehensive diagnosis and determine the severity of the disease. To do this, using a blood test to determine the amount of sugar. With increased rates, an additional study is prescribed.
A glucose tolerance test may be prescribed. It is carried out strictly in the morning on an empty stomach. This method of research allows you to evaluate how the body copes with the glucose that enters it.
Treatment features
Timely treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus allows you to suspend the course of the pathological process. In particular, the doctor prescribes sugar-lowering drugs, which are selected strictly individually, depending on the severity of the course of the disease.
In addition, often used folk remedies and techniques, and also requires strict adherence to the diet. All this helps to quickly normalize well-being and prevent the development of complications.
Drug treatment
Medications for type 2 diabetes are prescribed only by a qualified doctor. In particular, such drugs as:
- biguanides;
- thiosolidinediones;
- sulfonylurea derivatives;
- clayides;
- inhibitors.
Biguanides help reduce insulin resistance, absorption of excessive amounts of sugar. In addition, they contribute to weight loss by combating obesity. Among the most popular drugs can be distinguished such as "Glucofage" and "Siofor." These medicines help slow down the aging process that diabetes patients experience much earlier.
Thiosolidinediones increase the absorption of glucose by cells, as well as normalize lipid metabolism. Drugs of this group are prescribed mainly with elevated cholesterol. Derivatives of sulfanylureas help increase insulin production. It is best to use them in combination with biguanides. Among the drugs of this group, it is necessary to distinguish such as Amaril, Maninil and Dibeton.
Glinides are quick-acting drugs aimed at restoring insulin production immediately to food intake. Increcinomimetics are new drugs designed specifically for diabetics. They help significantly enhance the action of hormones that affect the production of insulin, and also have a sugar suppressing effect on the body.
In some cases, combination preparations may be prescribed, characterized in that two active substances are contained in one tablet. These funds include “Glucovans”, “Glibomet”. Their use makes the treatment more convenient and acceptable for the patient.
Preparations for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus are selected individually individually, depending on the state of the pancreas, the weight of the patient and the presence of concomitant diseases.
Insulin use
If with the help of medications it is not possible to stabilize glucose indicators, then insulin is prescribed for type 2 diabetes mellitus. This occurs when the disease progresses, accompanied by a decrease in the synthesis of this hormone.
Temporarily, insulin therapy can be prescribed during intensive treatment of complications, before surgery, in the postoperative period, during pregnancy, as well as the presence of concomitant diseases. On average, in type 2 diabetes, insulin is prescribed about 9 years after diagnosis.
Timely use of this hormone makes it possible to maintain the normal function of the pancreas, and also prevents the development of complications. It is worth noting that it is necessary to accurately calculate the amount of insulin, since its excess can lead to hypoglycemic coma.
Folk techniques
A good effect is provided by folk remedies for the treatment of diabetes. Herbs can be used only with a mild illness as an adjunct to medications. As hypoglycemic agents, you can use such plants as:
- chamomile;
- aspen bark;
- St. John's wort
- horsetail;
- cinnamon;
- St. John's wort
- blueberry shoots.
From medicinal plants, you can prepare decoctions and infusions. Cinnamon can be used as a spice, which is added to desserts, drinks and meat dishes.
Dieting
Be sure to know what is impossible with type 2 diabetes so as not to provoke the development of complications and normalize well-being. Compliance with the diet helps to effectively deal with the disease at the initial level of its course. Weight reduction makes it possible to reduce insulin resistance and eliminate insulin deficiency caused by excessive weight.
The menu for type 2 diabetes is made so that it is possible to slow down the flow of sugar into the circulatory system. This will make it possible to prevent a sharp rise in glucose levels. That is why, fast-digesting carbohydrates should be excluded from the usual diet.
Basically, the doctor prescribes table 9 for type 2 diabetes, since such a diet helps to normalize glucose and replenish the body with energy reserves. Be sure to limit the intake of fats and oils. They not only lead to obesity, but also significantly reduce the sensitivity of tissues to insulin. It is very important to learn how to calculate the safe amount of carbohydrates.
Food must be fractional. It is worth remembering that you need to consume food every 4 hours. When compiling a menu for type 2 diabetes, it is important to consider the calorie content of consumed foods. This will help to reduce weight and reduce the amount of medication used to treat.
Many patients are wondering what is possible with type 2 diabetes. An approximate diet allows the consumption of products such as:
- potatoes;
- black bread;
- cereals;
- eggs
- fish and meat;
- vegetables and fruits;
- milk products;
- beans and peas.
Food can be quite varied and includes delicious dishes. However, choosing recipes for type 2 diabetes, it is worth remembering that all consumed foods are only allowed to be steamed, boiled and stewed. It is not recommended to eat spicy, fatty, salty and canned foods.
Fruits approved for type 2 diabetes should contain a minimum amount of sugar. It is advisable to completely exclude grapes and bananas from your usual diet. It is important to limit the consumption of alcoholic beverages, since alcohol leads to a sharp decrease in sugar.
Physical exercise
Obesity is often observed with type 2 diabetes mellitus, which is why physical activity needs to be increased. In addition, a significant amount of glucose in the body is consumed during the active work of muscles. That is why, for the intake of sugar to cells and tissues, physical activity is necessary. Literally an hour of training 3 times a week reduces insulin resistance and makes it possible to effectively deal with obesity.
When conducting treatment, preference should be given to anaerobic exercises. Any aerobics, jogging, dancing, swimming, skiing is ideal. You need to select the type of activity depending on your own preferences, as well as availability. For older people, you need to start training with a short walk, and then gradually switch to more intense loads. It is worth remembering that at the end of the training, the patient should not experience severe weakness.
To achieve the maximum possible result, you need to combine strength and aerobic training. At the same time, during power loads, you need to train with moderate and high loads, performing each exercise for several approaches. It is important to conduct training regularly, since insulin sensitivity in their absence sharply decreases.
Feature of the disease in children
Diabetes mellitus in childhood is rarely detected. However, if this happens, then glucose indicators are controlled by conducting drug therapy. Basically, this disease is diagnosed in children suffering from obesity.
One of the important factors in the onset of diabetes is a sedentary lifestyle along with improper and unbalanced diet. Hyperglycemia can be eliminated with diet, as well as physical activity.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus cannot be completely cured, but it is possible to prevent complications and normalize well-being.
Possible complications
A high insulin index is observed with insulin resistance and this is associated with obesity, in particular, a large accumulation of fat deposits in the abdomen. In addition, it may be associated with elevated cholesterol and hypertension. If all these disorders are observed together, then a person is diagnosed with metabolic syndrome.
In case of untimely diagnosis, as well as improper treatment, a variety of complications can occur. One of the most dangerous complications is the development of type 1 diabetes. In this case, lifelong use of insulin is required to maintain the level of this hormone in the body. With its excess, the patient can fall into a glycemic coma, and often this condition leads to death.
Prophylaxis
Type 2 diabetes can be prevented even with a hereditary predisposition. To do this, it is enough to normalize the weight, as well as include mandatory sports, do not overeat, limit the intake of fast carbohydrates.
To prevent complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus, you need to regularly conduct a blood test for glucose. That is why it is advisable to purchase a glucometer. This will determine the pathological changes and carry out their correction at the initial stage.
Life expectancy and the nature of the course of the disease depends on the patient himself. To prevent the development of complications, you must:
- control glycated hemoglobin;
- maintain pressure at the required level;
- give up smoking;
- normalize the amount of cholesterol.
In case of non-compliance with all these rules and recommendations, many different complications and disorders in the body can occur. Treatment for type 2 diabetes is a fairly lengthy process, and often it can last a lifetime. Therapy includes the use of medications and a change in habitual lifestyle.