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Diabetes is a disease caused by a lack or malabsorption of insulin. Know the types, symptoms and how to avoid

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What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a syndrome characterized by the lack of insulin or the inability of muscle and fat cells to absorb this substance, causing an increase in glucose (sugar) in the blood. Insulin allows the sugar present in the blood to be absorbed by the cells to be used as an energy source later, reducing blood glucose. Therefore, if there is any kind of deficiency in this hormone, blood glucose will increase, developing diabetes.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the disease affects almost 250 million people worldwide and the Brazilian Society of Diabetes (SBD) estimates that 12 million people have the disease in Brazil, and half of them do not know it. That's why it's important to be aware of any symptoms of diabetes so that early diagnosis and treatment is possible.

Types of diabetes

type 1 diabetes

This type occurs when the beta cells in the pancreas lose their ability to produce insulin because of a defect in the immune system, causing antibodies to attack those cells. About 5% to 10% of patients with diabetes suffer from type 1, which is genetic and usually manifests as early as childhood or adolescence in people with a family history.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is more common in adults and can develop in sedentary people with poor eating habits. This type of diabetes is characterized by insufficient production of insulin by the pancreas or by the body's inability to use the insulin produced efficiently, which creates resistance to the hormone. The treatment of this disease is usually done through changes in diet and increased physical exercise, but eventually it can be controlled with oral or injectable medications. Approximately 90% of patients with diabetes suffer from type 2.

pre-diabetes

It is a term used to indicate when a person is predisposed to developing type 2 diabetes, something like an intermediate state between healthy and diabetes. This predisposition only happens in the case of type 2 diabetes, since in the case of type 1 the predisposition is genetic and the patient can develop the disease at any age.

Gestational diabetes

It is defined by some level of insulin intolerance that was first recognized in pregnancy - it may or may not persist after delivery. It can also be a condition in which the placenta produces a high amount of hormones that prevent insulin from transporting glucose from the extracellular to the intracellular environment. The cause of gestational diabetes has not yet been recognized.

Symptoms

The symptoms of diabetes in some cases are very apparent and in others very difficult to notice, so many people who have the disease are not aware of it. It is important, in addition to being up to date with routine exams, to perform blood glucose tests if the symptoms below are detected, as acute complications can be life-threatening. Always be aware of the main symptoms of diabetes:

• Polyuria (excess and more frequent urination);
• Polydipsia (excessive thirst);
• Weight loss;
• Polyphagia (excessive hunger and food intake);
• Blurred vision;
• Weakness.

Causes

There are several causes for diabetes, varying from type to type. These are some of them:

• Genetic defects in beta cell function;
• Genetic defects in insulin action and processing;
• Defects in proinsulin conversion;
• Defects in the exocrine pancreas;
• Endocrinopathies;
• Viral infections;
• Bad eating habits;
• Use of drugs.

Consequences

If diabetes treatment is not done correctly and/or the disease gets very serious, complications are possible. Amongst them:

atherosclerosis

A chronic disease in which fatty plaques called atheromas form on the walls of blood vessels, which can cause complete blockage at some point.

diabetic retinoplasty

Retinal damage caused by diabetes that can lead to blindness.

Hypertension

Oxygen in the blood can increase, in addition to irregular glycolysis of collagen and proteins, forcing the heart to work harder than usual to pump blood through the blood vessels.

diabetic nephropathy

It occurs because of changes in the blood vessels in the kidneys that result in the loss of protein in the urine. It can lead to progressive stoppage of kidney function until it stops completely.

Diabetic Foot Syndrome

It happens when an injured area on a diabetic's foot develops into an ulcer. When blood glucose levels are poorly controlled, it results in impaired blood circulation. Any foot injury should be treated immediately to avoid complications that can lead to limb necrosing and amputation.

Myocardial infarction and stroke

They occur when there is obstruction of blood vessels in vital organs such as the heart and brain. The incidence of these problems in people with diabetes is two to four times higher, so a proper diet, exercise and medication against cholesterol and high blood pressure are very important.

Periodontitis

It is a group of inflammatory diseases that affect periodontal tissues (tissues involved in fixing the tooth to the jaw).

diabetes treatment

Diabetes is a chronic disease, so there is no cure. What can be done is to control the symptoms so that the patient can have a better quality of life. The main precautions are:

Physical exercises

The practice of physical activity is very important to keep blood glucose levels under control and to prevent excessive weight gain. To find out the best exercise routine, each patient should consult a doctor or a specialist, because if the patient has hypoglycemia, he will have some restrictions, especially in the case of type 1 diabetes. high, the exercise routine will likely be more intense. Anyway, the ideal is to prioritize light exercise, because if the caloric expenditure is much greater than the replacement after training, it can result in hypoglycemia.

change in diet

People with diabetes should avoid ingesting simple sugars present in sweets and simple carbohydrates such as pasta and bread (see alternatives to refined sugar in the article "Six natural sweetener options without synthetic sweetener"). These foods have a high glycemic index, so glucose absorption happens very quickly and blood glucose levels increase.

Carbohydrates should constitute 50% to 60% of the total calories ingested by the person with diabetes, preferably complex carbohydrates such as nuts, nuts and whole grains, as they are absorbed more slowly. The choice of diet must also be made with a physician and taking into account the patient's exercise routine. Aerobic exercise tends to lower blood glucose, requiring more food intake, especially if the patient is also hypoglycemic.

Hebi B. image by Pixabay

Self-monitoring with glucometers

Most people with diabetes need to take insulin with a certain frequency, especially type 1 patients, who usually take these doses on a daily basis. But to do this, it is necessary to measure the concentration of glucose in the blood. The measurement is made with glucometers - to use them, the person sticks a finger with a small needle, puts the blood that comes out of the hole on a reagent strip that is inserted into the device. In about 30 seconds the device shows the result. The glucometer is important for the patient to have some autonomy, but medical monitoring is essential.

The professional who is monitoring the treatment must define a test schedule for the patient to do at home. Based on the results of this test, the doctor will be able to set goals related to glucose levels, changing the diet, exercise routine and use of medications.

How to prevent diabetes?

The most effective way to prevent diabetes is to maintain a balanced diet and exercise regularly. Especially in the case of people with pre-diabetes, who must have a strict diet, practice physical activities at least three times a week and, in some cases, even use medication to avoid future complications. These procedures in people within the risk group can halve the number of people with type 2 diabetes.

Not smoking, controlling blood pressure, avoiding medications and drinks that can harm the pancreas are also useful measures to prevent the development of diabetes.

Watch the explanatory video about the disease.