Diabetes mellitus (DM) refers to a group of metabolic diseases associated with an increase in blood sugar levels. It can appear either because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin, or because the body's cells stop responding to insulin.
Three main types of diabetes are known:
- Type 1 diabetes appears as a result of insufficient insulin production. A person with such a diagnosis is vital to enter it daily. This form was previously called "insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus."
- Type 2 diabetes is the result of insulin resistance. This is a condition where cells cannot use insulin for its intended purpose. Sometimes diabetes of this type is combined with absolute insulin deficiency. This form was previously called non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
- The third form - gestational diabetes appears in pregnant women and is expressed by a sharp increase in blood sugar levels.
Many signs of type 1 and type 2 diabetes are similar. In both cases, there is too much sugar in the blood, and the cells of the body do not receive the required amount of glucose, and the human body signals about it.
First signs of diabetes
1. Frequent trips to the toilet. Urination becomes more frequent when there is an excess of sugar in the blood. If there is no insulin or too little, the kidneys are not able to filter the sugar back into the blood. They try to draw extra water from the blood to dilute glucose. Therefore, urination becomes more frequent.
2. Unquenchable thirst. If a person drinks much more than usual, this may also be one of the first signs of diabetes, especially if thirst coincides with frequent urination.
3. Unreasonable weight loss. With type 1 diabetes, this symptom is more noticeable. The pancreas stops the production of insulin. The body is desperate to find a source of energy because the cells do not receive glucose. Then it begins to process muscle tissue and fat into energy.
4. Weakness and fatigue. The cells of the body suffer from a lack of energy - and a person feels tired.
5. Tingling, possibly numbness of the legs, hands, feet. These signs of diabetes are called neuropathy. They appear gradually over time. Their appearance is due to the fact that a constantly increased blood glucose level destroys the human nervous system, especially in the extremities.
6. Dark spots on the skin, usually under the armpits.
7. Fuzzy vision. Diabetes causes changes in the lens of the eye, which can lead to visual impairment or even pain in the eyes due to infection or glaucoma.
Other symptoms and signs of diabetes that may occur are dry skin or itching, poor healing of cuts, bruises, and frequent infections.
All types of diabetes, today, are treatable, due to the fact that insulin has become available since 1921, and type 2 diabetes is easily controlled with medications.
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are chronic incurable diseases.
Symptoms of diabetes mellitus in women (gestational) are similar to type 2 diabetes. This disease occurs with a frequency of 2-5 pregnancies out of a hundred and disappears immediately after the birth of the baby. Gestational diabetes is completely treatable, but requires careful monitoring by doctors throughout pregnancy.
Gestational diabetes, if not controlled, can harm the health of the mother or fetus. Risks for the child: macrosomia (high birth weight), congenital heart defects and anomalies of the central nervous system, malformations. In especially severe cases, perinatal death is possible.
If you notice any of the above symptoms, visit your doctor. He will talk about the symptoms of diabetes that you may be seeing at home, look at your medical history, conduct an examination, and also direct you to take blood tests for sugar. Only after this, the doctor will be able to determine the exact diagnosis.
With the right diet, regular exercise, taking medication (if necessary), a person can manage the disease and live a full, active life.