Currently, patients with diabetes are becoming more and more. The vast majority of cases are type 2 diabetes. Taking into account the fact that the number of sick people is growing every year more and more, it is necessary to know the causes of the pathology, blood sugar standards for type 2 diabetes, possible treatment and preventive measures.
What is type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic endocrine disease in which there is a decrease in the susceptibility of body tissues to the pancreatic hormone - insulin, while in type 1 diabetes the sugar norm is increased due to the complete cessation of insulin production.
With the development of pathology, increased production of the hormone begins. The result will be a significant increase in insulin in the body against a background of increased sugar. Under the influence of these processes, pancreatic depletion occurs and the process of insulin production slows down. The body begins to receive glucose in insufficient quantities, which leads to the development of pathological conditions.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of disease. In most cases, found in obese people. The higher the blood sugar level in diabetes, the more severe the stage of the disease.
Classification
Today, experts distinguish several stages of the development of the disease:
- Easy. Recovery of glucose levels occurs with a special diet, moderate physical exertion. Sometimes you may need a short-term medication that lowers blood sugar.
- Medium. At this stage, changes occur in the peripheral vessels. To normalize the condition, sugar-lowering drugs are used in higher doses, compared with the mild stage.
- Heavy. Serious complications begin to appear. In addition to drugs that lower sugar, insulin injections are prescribed. In severely advanced cases, a complete switch to insulin is advisable. At this stage of diabetes, the blood sugar norm will be greatly increased.
Causes of pathology
The exact reasons for the development of the disease have not yet been identified, however, experts have identified risk factors that can provoke pathology.
- Obesity. It is considered the main cause of diabetes.
- Hereditary factor.
- Pathology of the liver.
- Stress.
- High blood pressure.
- Angina pectoris.
- Pregnancy.
- Pathology of the pancreas.
- Age and gender. It is noted that women over 50 are most susceptible to the development of the disease.
- Early atherosclerosis.
- Some medications.
Symptomatology
Type 2 diabetes is distinguished by the fact that signs of its development do not appear immediately. At first, a person may not even be aware of the presence of pathology. It happens that a pronounced symptomatology appears after a few months, and with a latent form - after a few years.
Symptoms of the disease are the following conditions:
- Constant hunger. The reason for this is the increased insulin values against the background of a decrease in glucose levels after eating. The brain receives an erroneous signal of hunger.
- Thirst. The body is trying to make up for the lack of fluid that is lost when sugar is excreted.
- Increased urination. Since in type 2 diabetes, the blood sugar norm is increased, its excess is excreted from the body along with urine. This requires a greater amount of fluid, the elimination of which is manifested by more frequent urge to the toilet.
- Dry mouth.
- Visual impairment.
- Itchy skin.
- Weakness. Due to the fact that glucose stops entering the cells in sufficient quantities, the body cannot replenish energy resources.
- Numbness of the limbs. This symptom occurs in the later stages, when high glucose levels in diabetes affect the nerve endings.
- Pustular skin lesions.
Diagnostics
To detect type 2 diabetes, it is not enough to know only the signs of its appearance. An accurate diagnosis is made only by analyzing urine and blood for sugar levels.
The following laboratory tests are the diagnostic measures:
- A blood test for glucose. Capillary blood sampling is taken on an empty stomach.
- Samples for glucose tolerance. This analysis consists of several stages. First, fasting blood is taken. After that, sweet syrup is drunk. After about 2 hours, the blood donates again. An indicator of diabetes will be values above 11 mmol / L.
- Analysis for glycated hemoglobin. Increasing its values is a sign of diabetes.
- Urinalysis, in which special attention is paid to the presence of ketone bodies and glucose.
- At home, the presence of glucose in the blood will help to identify a special device - a glucometer.
In order for the analysis result to be as accurate as possible, you must adhere to certain rules:
- Refuse to eat 12 hours before taking blood.
- Chewing gums and toothpaste can distort the results, as well as smoking and drinking alcohol.
- Before analysis, it is not recommended to engage in physical activity. If you feel unwell, the results may be distorted.
- A few days before blood sampling, an ultrasound or X-ray should not be performed.
Norms
In type 2 diabetes, the norm of blood sugar will not differ by sex or age. The exception is children whose normal values are somewhat different. An indicator of type 2 diabetes will be elevated glucose levels. If the result is an increase in glucose up to 6 mmol / L, it is worthwhile to retake the analysis after a while.
Type 2 diabetes sugar| Age | The minimum indicators, mmol / l | The maximum performance, mmol / l |
| Adults and children after 5 years | 3.33 | 5.55 |
| Children from 1 year to 5 years | 3.33 | 5 |
| Newborns and up to 1 year old | 2,8 | 4.44 |
It is worth noting that with type 2 diabetes, the blood sugar norm will depend on the method of taking it. In this regard, it is recommended to retake the analysis in the same laboratory. Indicators of glucose in the blood taken from a vein will be slightly different from capillary.
Treatment
The treatment of type 2 diabetes will be complex and include not only medication, but also diet therapy. Normalizing weight and a healthy lifestyle are key therapeutic methods. Physical activity is also of great importance in the treatment.
Subject to all doctor's recommendations, the quality of life of a person with type 2 diabetes does not decrease.
Let us consider in more detail the treatment options for pathology.
Drug treatment
If the diet and physical activity do not bring results, the doctor decides on the appointment of drugs that can lower sugar levels. In their composition they do not have insulin, but they activate its production by the pancreas. Drug therapy is carried out with constant monitoring of blood glucose levels. The drug, dosage, and sometimes the method of combining several drugs should be selected by the attending physician depending on the results of the tests.
The most common drugs used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes include:
- "Metformin" is a sugar-lowering drug.
- "Novonorm" - activates the production of insulin.
- "Troglitazone" - lowers sugar levels and normalizes the lipid profile.
- "Siofor" - increases the sensitivity of tissues to insulin.
- "Miglitol" - reduce the absorption of glucose in the digestive tract.
- Insulin therapy. More recently, insulin-containing drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes were prescribed if other therapeutic methods did not bring the desired effect. But at present, a new generation of drugs has been developed that can be used in the main treatment.
From the very beginning of treatment, one specific drug is prescribed. But after a while, several drugs can be taken at the same time.
Diet
Diet is a key way to treat type 2 diabetes. Without proper nutrition, drug therapy will not bring effective results or their effect will be short-lived.
There are no specific foods recommended for people with diabetes. But there are some rules and recommendations that we will consider below.
- Limiting foods containing saturated fats.
- Food should be fractional and in small portions.
- Reduced salt intake.
Foods should contain a minimal amount of fat.
Products that are not recommended are:
- Sweets, pastries.
- Mayonnaise, butter, cooking oils.
- Spicy, smoked, fatty foods.
- High fat dairy products.
- Pasta, semolina and rice groats.
- Fatty varieties of meat and fish, sausages, sausages.
A large amount of fiber obtained from vegetables, grains, berries and fruits should be present in the diet.
Food should be balanced and not exceed 1800 kcal / day.
ethnoscience
The use of traditional medicine can be used in parallel with the main course of treatment, but only after consultation with your doctor and in the absence of allergies.
In the early stages of type 2 diabetes, an infusion of aspen bark is an effective treatment.
A cinnamon decoction can be used to reduce blood sugar and insulin sensitivity of cells.
Complications
Type 2 diabetes is dangerous because in the vast majority of cases, the diagnosis of the disease is possible in the late stages of its development.
High blood sugar can lead to serious illness. Myocardial infarction, damage to bones, joints and various organs may develop. Type 2 diabetes provokes diabetic nephropathy, osteoporosis and osteochondrosis. Diabetes is one of the main reasons for the development of brain pathologies and stroke.
With untimely treatment, the risk of developing gangrene is great. This occurs with damage to the vessels of the lower extremities.
One of the most dangerous consequences is the development of coma and death. Therefore, it is very important to keep blood sugar under control.
Prevention
Preventive measures for type 2 diabetes are yielding tremendous results. You can prevent the occurrence of the disease by following some rules:
- You should lead a healthy lifestyle, abandoning bad habits.
- Moderate exercise helps keep weight under control.
- But the main preventive measure is to control your diet. Overeating and eating fatty foods should not be allowed.
From the foregoing, it follows that the main way to avoid the development of this disease is to control your weight and eliminate the use of alcohol.
Conclusion
Knowing what sugar level in type 2 diabetes can lead to dangerous consequences, it is necessary to monitor its blood levels. This will allow treatment to begin in the early stages of the disease, which will reduce the risk of serious consequences. It should be remembered that the appointment of therapy should be carried out by the attending physician under close monitoring of the blood glucose level.