Diabetes mellitus is accompanied by an inability to absorb glucose and its subsequent accumulation in the blood. Type 2 disease occurs in a milder form than type 1. The basis of treatment for the disease is diet and medication.
Type 2 diabetes: characteristics of the disease.
For normal functioning, the body needs a constant supply of energy, which is produced from the food consumed. The main supplier is glucose. To absorb sugar into the tissues, a hormone is needed: insulin, which is produced by the pancreas.
In type 2 diabetes, the gland functions normally, but the cells develop resistance to the hormone. As a result, sugar does not reach the cells, but remains in the blood plasma. The body begins to lack energy. The brain reacts to the situation with a signal to increase insulin production.A higher concentration of the hormone does not change the situation.
Gradually, insulin production decreases significantly, due to the wear and tear of the organ and the depletion of reserves, and may stop completely. The disease develops gradually and initially does not present pronounced symptoms. With an advanced form of the disease, you can go to stage 1.
Reasons for development
Type 2 diabetes often develops due to wear and tear on the body, so the pathology is more common in people over 40 years of age.
But there are other reasons and factors that provoke the development of the disease:
- transmission at the genetic level. If you have family members with diabetes (of any type), the probability of developing the pathology increases by 50%;
- Obese people are more susceptible to developing the disease, since fat deposits reduce the sensitivity of cells and also reduce the functioning of organs;
- incorrectly composed diet. Frequent consumption of sweet, fatty and quickly digested foods;
- low consumption of energy reserves, occurs with a small amount of physical activity;
- pathological changes in the pancreas;
- frequent infectious diseases that affect the functioning of the digestive tract;
- nervous and physical exhaustion, as well as frequent stress and depression;
- frequent increase in blood pressure;
- violation of medication intake with the development of side effects that affect the functioning of the gland.
Pathology develops when there are 2 or 3 causes at the same time. Sometimes the disease is diagnosed in pregnant women. In this case, its appearance is associated with hormonal changes in the body. The disease (usually) goes away on its own after childbirth.
What about diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (diet and drug treatment are interconnected: without following a diet, taking medications will be ineffective) affects the functioning of the entire body. As the disease begins to develop, the tissue's sensitivity to insulin decreases. The pancreas and other organs function normally.
Without proper treatment, the concentration of glucose in the blood increases, which leads to "sugarization" of protein cells in the blood. This change alters the functioning of the organs. The body experiences a lack of energy, which also leads to poor functioning of all systems.
The lack of energy begins to be replenished by the breakdown of fat cells. The process is accompanied by the release of toxins that poison the entire body and affect the functioning of brain cells.
Excess sugar causes dehydration; Beneficial vitamins and minerals are washed away with water. The condition of the blood vessels worsens, which causes heart disorders. It also increases the risk of blood vessel blockage from blood clots. As a result, vision, liver and kidneys are affected, since these organs contain many small blood vessels. Blood circulation in the extremities is impaired.
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes
In the initial stage, the disease occurs without visible symptoms. If the disease is not detected or adequate treatment is not received, the pathology develops further withaccompanied by characteristic symptoms:
- a constant feeling of dryness in the mouth, accompanied by insatiable thirst. This symptom occurs because a large amount of fluid is required to remove excess glucose from the blood. The body spends all the incoming fluid and water from the tissues on this;
- the formation of a large amount of urine, as a result of which a person frequently goes to the toilet;
- increased sweating, which increases during sleep;
- increased dryness of the skin and mucous membranes, accompanied by itching;
- lack of humidity and poor nutrition of the optic nerve cause visual impairment;
- microcracks and wounds heal more slowly;
- arbitrary contractions of muscle tissue occur due to malfunctioning of the nervous system;
- swelling of the extremities accompanied by pain and numbness;
- due to lack of energy, severe weakness, increased appetite and arrhythmia are felt;
- a sharp decrease in immunity, which causes frequent colds.
In the initial stage, there is increased appetite, fatigue and a frequent need for fluids. To rule out/confirm diabetes, you need to contact your GP/paediatrician for a blood sugar test. At the beginning of the disease, it is enough to adjust the diet for treatment.
Stages
Depending on the severity of symptoms, features of treatment and complications arising from the disease, diabetes is divided into 4 degrees of severity.
| Degrees of pathology | Main features | Distinctive features |
|---|---|---|
| Light | The disease presents with a slight increase in blood sugar concentration, which causes increased thirst, increased appetite and muscle weakness. There are no pathological changes in the functioning of the body. Nutritional adjustments are used as therapy. In rare cases, medications are prescribed. | At this stage, diabetes is detected in rare cases, mainly during medical examinations by taking a blood test. The composition of urine does not change. Glucose levels are in the range of 6-7 mmol/l. |
| Average | The symptoms of the disease increase. There is a deterioration in the functioning of the organs of vision and blood vessels, and the blood supply to the extremities is disturbed. There are no serious abnormalities in the functioning of the body. Treatment is with diet and medications. | The sugar level in the urine is normal, in the blood the range is 7 to 10 mmol/l. |
| Heavy | The symptoms are pronounced. There is a serious malfunction in the functioning of organs (decreased vision, constantly high blood pressure, pain and tremors in the extremities). Treatment uses a strict menu and the administration of insulin (drug therapy does not bring results). | High sugar levels are recorded in the urine and blood. In the blood, the concentration varies between 11 and 14 mmol/l. |
| Greater severity | The deterioration of the functioning of the organs is practically irreversible. The disease cannot be treated; constant sugar control and regulation with insulin injections are required. | The glucose concentration is maintained in the range of 15-25 mmol/l. A person usually falls into a diabetic coma. |
Mild to moderate diabetes is easy to treat and control blood sugar. In these stages, no significant alterations occur in the functioning of the body. Diet, weight loss, and medication can sometimes achieve a complete recovery.
Diagnosis
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (diet and treatment are prescribed after diagnosis) are determined by laboratory methods. Additionally, an examination of the hardware is carried out to identify the development of complications. First, a specialist examines the patient and finds out when the first symptoms of the pathology were discovered.
Examination methods:
- Donate blood on an empty stomach. Glucose concentration is determined without the influence of food.
- Determine the amount of sugar after eating or taking medications containing glucose.
- The dynamics of increase and decrease in sugar during the day are checked. Necessary to determine the correctness of the prescribed treatment.
- Delivery of urine to determine its composition (sugar, proteins, acetone). In addition to determining kidney dysfunction.
- A detailed blood test to determine the presence of a malfunction in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Additional hardware exams:
- Ultrasound;
- ECG;
- dopplerography;
- capillaroscopy.
A comprehensive examination allows you to determine the severity of the disease and its impact on organ function. If abnormalities are detected, the patient will be treated by several specialists, depending on which organs have been damaged.
The diagnosis is also necessary for people who are at risk of developing the disease (heredity, overweight, age over 45 years).
Treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus
Pathology therapy consists of complex treatment. Depending on the severity of the disease, the specialist prescribes medications, draws up a menu and prescribes physical exercises to lose weight.
Antihyperglycemic medications
Type 2 diabetes is initially treated with diet.When the treatment does not produce a visible effect, the specialist prescribes medications that reduce the amount of sugar in the blood. At the beginning of treatment, 1 type of medication is prescribed. To ensure the effectiveness of the treatment, the amount of medication is gradually increased.
Types of hypoglycemic medications and their effects:
| type of drugs | Your purpose |
|---|---|
| Glinides and sulfonylurea derivatives. | Prescribed to increase the body's own insulin production. |
| Biguanides and glitazones | It reduces glucose production in the liver and increases the sensitivity of tissues to sugar. Helps reduce appetite. |
| Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors | Reduce the rate of glucose absorption by intestinal tissues. |
| Gliptins and glucagon-like peptide receptor agonists | They increase insulin production and at the same time reduce sugar concentration. |
| Insulin | Promotes the absorption of glucose by body tissues. |
| Thiazolidone derivatives | Increases the sensitivity of cellular receptors to insulin. |
In most cases, 2 or 3 mutually compatible medications are prescribed. The simultaneous use of drugs to increase insulin production with drugs that affect the sensitivity of cells to the hormone will make it possible to achieve an effective reduction in blood sugar.
It is dangerous to choose medications on your own. A sharp decrease in sugar concentration also has a detrimental effect on the functioning of the body. If the medication causes side effects, it is replaced by a therapist. If the medications are not effective, the patient is transferred to insulin therapy.
insulin therapy
Insulin is prescribed as therapy when there is a decrease in the production of the hormone by the pancreas. The dosage and number of injections depend on the type of diet prescribed and the degree of physical activity. An overweight patient with diabetes is prescribed a low-carbohydrate diet, which requires more frequent monitoring of glucose concentrations.
The use of injections allows you to maintain the functionality of the pancreas (the organ does not wear out due to increased load). It also reduces the likelihood of developing complications.
Additionally, the use of injections allows:
- normalize the amount of blood sugar during the day;
- improve the production of the hormone by the gland independently, in response to an increase in glucose concentration after eating food;
- reduce the formation of glucose from non-carbohydrate compounds;
- control glucose production in the liver;
- Normalize lipid and glucagon production.
The injections are painless and are administered using a special syringe with markings to control the amount of the drug. Sugar levels are measured before and after the procedure.
Diet for type 2 diabetes. Nutrition principles
In the treatment of diabetes, it is necessary to constantly follow a diet that depends on the severity of the disease, the presence of excess weight and physical activity. The menu must be agreed with the treating specialist. If the amount of sugar changes (increases or decreases), the therapist changes the diet.
When following a diet, important conditions must be observed:
- eating should be done at certain times at least 6 times a day;
- food should not be high in calories and easily digestible;
- if you are overweight, it is necessary to reduce the calorie content of your meals;
- the amount of salt consumed should be reduced to a minimum;
- alcohol and fast food snacks are excluded;
- high fruit content and taking vitamin supplements to maintain immunity.
It is advisable to prepare dishes without using oil or with a minimal amount of it (you can boil or bake). It is necessary to increase the amount of clean water consumed per day. When creating a menu, be sure to take into account the presence of other pathologies (diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, heart, kidneys).
Prohibited products
Diabetes mellitus type 2 (diet and treatment will give a positive result with proper nutrition) in a mild form can be eliminated by eliminating harmful dishes and foods from the diet.
| Strictly prohibited products | Conditionally prohibited products |
|---|---|
|
|
The amount of consumption of conditionally prohibited products must be agreed with the treating specialist. They increase the amount of glucose, but gradually. It is prohibited to simultaneously consume 2 or more types of products from the conditionally prohibited list.
How to control blood glucose levels if you have diabetes?
Diabetes requires regular monitoring of sugar levels.To measure it at home, a glucometer is used.It is mandatory to take daily measurements in the morning before eating. If possible, measure throughout the day (after eating, vigorous physical activity).
All data must be entered in a special notebook, which must be shown to the therapist at the next examination. Therapy (medications, diet) will be adjusted according to the dynamics of changes in glucose. In addition, it is necessary to have a laboratory test every 3 to 6 months (established by your doctor).
List of permitted products indicating GI
If you have diabetes, you can consume the following foods in any quantity, but taking into account their calorie content and GI.
| Shopping list | GI (glycemic index) |
|---|---|
| boiled eggs | 48 |
| boiled mushrooms | fifteen |
| kale | 22 |
| boiled crayfish | 5 |
| kefir | 35 |
| soy milk | thirty |
| Curd | Four. Five |
| tofu cheese | fifteen |
| low fat milk | thirty |
| Broccoli | 10 |
| cucumbers | 10 |
| Tomato | twenty |
| Eggplant | twenty |
| olives | fifteen |
| Radish | 10 |
| apples | thirty |
| Pear | 3. 4 |
| Plum | 22 |
| Cherry | 22 |
| rye flour bread | Four. Five |
| Dill | fifteen |
| Salad | 10 |
| Pearl barley porridge in water | 22 |
| wheat pasta | 38 |
| Cereals | 40 |
| Bread | Four. Five |
| Jam | thirty |
The therapist can expand this list, taking into account physical activity and the severity of the disease.
Home remedies
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (diet and treatment are necessary conditions to prevent the development of complications and further development of the disease) can also be controlled with folk remedies. It is recommended to discuss its use with your doctor.
Recipes that normalize the metabolic process in the body and promote weight loss:
- Mix 70 ml of honey and 40 g of dry cinnamon (powder) in 0. 4 liters of boiling water. Leave it cold overnight. The drink is divided into 2 servings. Use morning and night. The duration of therapy is up to 14 days.
- Steam 10-12 pieces in 0. 5 liters of water. bay leaves. Use 30 ml 3 times. 10 day course. It is necessary to take 3 courses with breaks of 10 days.
- Instead of tea leaves, steam linden flowers. Drink up to 2 cups of tea a day.
- Finely chop 350 g of garlic and parsley and 100 g of lemon zest. Stir and leave in the cold for up to 14 days. Take 10 to 12 mg per day.
- Boil 20 g of beans in 1 liter of water (4 hours). Consume up to 300 ml per day (can be divided into portions). The duration of therapy is 31 days.
- Prepared drinks instead of tea (consume 400 ml per day) from:
- herbs St. John's wort, chamomile, cranberry;
- aspen bark;
- bean wings;
- Whole cinnamon.
If there is an intolerance or allergic reaction, the drinks are excluded from the diet.
Physical exercise
Physical warm-ups should be done even if there are no weight problems. Exercises allow you to normalize the functioning of the heart, blood vessels and respiratory organs, as well as stabilize the general condition of the body as a whole.
When exercising, it is important to correctly take into account the load, since increased calorie burning quickly causes hunger, and food after exercise can be digested with a large release of glucose into the blood.
Recommended sports for diabetes:
- dumbbell exercises;
- walks in the park or light jogging;
- Cycling;
- swim;
- yoga;
- quiet dance
It is recommended to discuss the type of lesson with your treating specialist. In addition to dedicating the necessary time to the process.
Complications of the disease.
When the disease is detected in an advanced stage, inadequate treatment has been provided orthe patient did not follow the specialist's recommendations, dangerous complications may develop:
- Swelling.Edema can develop not only on the outside (arms, legs, face), but also on the inside of the body. Depending on the cause of the development of the symptom. This may be due to the development of heart or kidney failure, which also develops as a complication of diabetes.
- Pain in the legs.The symptom is initially present during intense physical activity. As the disease progresses, the pain also appears at night. In addition, numbness of the extremities and temporary loss of sensation appear. There may be a burning sensation.
- The appearance of ulcers.Due to the increased sugar content, wounds heal poorly and take a long time, which leads to the development of open ulcers. The therapist recommends treating even small cuts carefully until the wound is completely healed.
- Development of gangrene.. In diabetes, the state of the blood vessels is altered, which can lead to their blockage. Most often, this phenomenon is observed on the extremities. As a result of the formation of a blood clot, fresh blood with oxygen and nutrients does not flow to the hand or foot. Tissue death occurs. Initially, redness occurs, accompanied by pain and swelling. If there is no treatment, it will eventually turn blue. The limb is amputated.
- Increase/decrease in pressure.Changes in blood pressure levels often occur due to kidney dysfunction.
- Eat.This condition can occur with a sharp increase or decrease in glucose concentration (due to an overdose of insulin). Or due to severe intoxication of the body with toxins that are produced during the formation of energy from fat cells. At the same time, the patient becomes covered in cold, sticky sweat, speech becomes slurred, and he becomes unconscious. When glucose increases, a characteristic acetone smell appears. Loss of consciousness follows. Without help, a quick death is possible.
- Visual disability. Due to poor nutrition of the ocular tissue and nerves. Initially, spots and a haze appear and gradually complete blindness may develop.
- Impaired kidney function.Due to the large load on the organ, kidney failure develops.
By treating diabetes, you can avoid the development of consequences. Timely detection of the occurrence of complications will eliminate their further progression.
Clinical guidelines for type 2 diabetes
If diabetes is detected, an urgent visit to the doctor and a sugar test are necessary. If the disease is confirmed, it is necessary to undergo a complete examination. Next, it is necessary to follow all the recommendations of the treating specialist (diet, medications, exercises). Be sure to monitor your blood sugar concentration. If the condition changes, the treating doctor must adjust the treatment.
Diabetes mellitus can develop gradually and be detected already in the middle stage. In type 2, diet is the basis of treatment. In advanced cases, medications or insulin injections are required.