Impaired glucose tolerance is a fairly common problem. That is why many people are interested in additional information about what constitutes such a condition. What are the causes of violations? What symptoms are accompanied by pathology? What diagnostic and treatment methods does modern medicine offer?
What is a similar violation?
What is impaired glucose tolerance? With a similar condition, a person has an increase in blood glucose. The amount of sugar is higher than normal, but at the same time lower than that in which patients are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Thus, impaired tolerance is one of the risk factors. Recent research findings have shown that approximately one third of patients eventually develop diabetes. Nevertheless, subject to certain rules and well-chosen medication, metabolism is normalized.
The main reasons for the development of glucose tolerance
Not in all cases, doctors can determine why the patient developed such a disease. Nevertheless, it was possible to find out the main causes of impaired glucose tolerance:
- First of all, it is worth mentioning the genetic predisposition, which takes place in many cases. If one of your close relatives has diabetes, the likelihood of developing such a condition increases significantly.
- In some patients, the so-called insulin resistance is detected during the diagnosis process, in which the sensitivity of cells to insulin is impaired.
- In some cases, impaired glucose tolerance develops as a result of pancreatic diseases in which its secretory activity is impaired. For example, problems with carbohydrate metabolism can appear against the background of pancreatitis.
- The causes can also include some diseases of the endocrine system, which are accompanied by metabolic disorders and increased blood sugar (for example, Itsenko-Cushing's disease).
- One of the risk factors is obesity.
- A sedentary lifestyle also negatively affects the body.
- Sometimes a change in the amount of sugar in the blood is associated with taking medications, in particular hormones (in most cases, glucocorticoids become the “culprits”).
Glucose tolerance disorder: symptoms
Unfortunately, such a pathology in most cases is asymptomatic. Patients rarely complain of deterioration of health or simply do not notice it. By the way, for the most part, people with a similar diagnosis are overweight, which is associated with a violation of normal metabolic processes.
With the aggravation of carbohydrate metabolism disorders, characteristic signs begin to appear, which are accompanied by impaired glucose tolerance. Symptoms in this case are thirst, a feeling of dry mouth and increased fluid intake. Accordingly, in patients there is also frequent urination. Against the background of hormonal and metabolic disorders, a significant decrease in immune defense is observed - people become extremely susceptible to inflammatory and fungal diseases.
Why is this disorder dangerous?
Of course, many patients with this diagnosis are interested in questions about the danger of impaired glucose tolerance. First of all, such a condition is considered dangerous because, if untreated, the risk of developing a well-known insidious disease, namely type 2 diabetes, is very high. On the other hand, such a disorder increases the likelihood of developing diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Basic diagnostic methods
The diagnosis of glucose tolerance disorder can only be made by a doctor. To begin with, a specialist will conduct an examination and collect an anamnesis (the presence of certain complaints from the patient, information about previously transmitted diseases, the presence of people with diabetes in the family, etc.).
In the future, a standard blood test for sugar level is performed. Samples are taken in the morning, on an empty stomach. A similar procedure is carried out in any clinic. As a rule, the glucose level in such patients exceeds 5.5 mmol / L. However, to establish an accurate diagnosis, a special glucose tolerance test is needed.
Test and indications for its implementation
Such a study is by far one of the most accessible and effective methods for diagnosing a condition called “impaired glucose tolerance”. But although testing is fairly straightforward, proper preparation is crucial here.
For several days before taking the blood, the patient is advised to avoid stress and increased physical activity. The procedure is carried out in the morning and on an empty stomach (not earlier than 10 hours after the last meal). First, a portion of blood is taken from the patient, after which they offer to drink glucose powder dissolved in warm water. After 2 hours, a repeated blood sampling is performed. In laboratory conditions, the sugar level in the samples is determined and the results are compared.
If before glucose intake the blood sugar level was 6.1-5.5 mmol, and after two hours it jumped sharply to 7.8-11.0 mmol / l, then we can already talk about a violation of tolerance.
In fact, experts recommend that everyone undergo such testing at least once every two years - this is a very effective preventative precaution that will help to identify the disease at an early stage. However, there are some risk groups for which analysis is mandatory. For example, people with a genetic predisposition to diabetes, as well as patients suffering from obesity, arterial hypertension, high cholesterol, atherosclerosis, neuropathy of unknown origin, are often sent for testing.
Glucose tolerance disorder: treatment
If the tolerance test gives a positive result, then you should immediately contact an endocrinologist. Only a specialist knows which therapy requires impaired glucose tolerance. Treatment at this stage, as a rule, is not medical. However, the patient needs to change his usual lifestyle as soon as possible.
It is imperative to ensure that body weight is within normal limits. Naturally, sitting on strict diets or draining the body with intense physical activity is not worth it. It is necessary to deal with extra pounds, gradually changing the diet and increasing physical activity. By the way, training should be regular - at least three times a week. It is worth giving up smoking, as this bad habit leads to narrowing of blood vessels and damage to pancreatic cells.
Of course, you need to carefully monitor the blood sugar level, regularly undergo examinations by the endocrinologist and take the necessary tests - this will make it possible to determine the presence of complications in time.
If this treatment is ineffective, your doctor may prescribe some medications that lower your blood sugar. But it is worthwhile to understand that a universal panacea for such a disease does not exist.
Proper nutrition is an integral part of therapy
Of course, in the treatment of such a pathology, nutrition plays an extremely important role. Impaired glucose tolerance requires a special diet. First of all, it is worth changing the eating regimen. Patients are advised to eat 5-7 times a day, but the portions should be small - this will help relieve the burden on the digestive system.
What other changes does glucose tolerance impairment require? The diet in this case must necessarily exclude sweets - sugar, sweets, sweet pastries are prohibited. In addition, it is worth limiting the amount of products containing digestible carbohydrates - these are bread and bakery products, pasta, potatoes, etc. Experts also recommend reducing fat - do not abuse fatty meats, butter, lard. At the time of rehabilitation, it is also worth giving up coffee and even tea, because these drinks (even without sugar) tend to increase blood glucose levels.
What should the patient's diet consist of? First of all, these are vegetables and fruits. They can be eaten raw, boiled, baked. The required amount of protein can be obtained by entering in the menu low-fat varieties of meat and fish, nuts, legumes, milk and sour-milk products.
Basic preventive measures
Impaired glucose tolerance can be extremely dangerous. And in this case, it is much easier to avoid such a disorder than to face the risk of developing diabetes. To maintain the normal functioning of the body, you need to follow only some simple rules.
For starters, you should adjust the diet. Specialists recommend fractional nutrition - eat 5-7 times a day, but always in small portions. The daily menu should limit the amount of sweets, pastries and excessively fatty foods, replacing it with fresh fruits, vegetables and other healthy products.
It is important to monitor body weight and provide the body with the necessary physical activity. Of course, excessive physical activity can also be dangerous - loads need to be increased gradually. Of course, physical education should be regular.