The disease is characterized by a chronic course and disruption of all types of metabolism: carbohydrate, fat, protein, mineral, and water-salt.

There are two types of diabetes mellitus:

Insulin-dependent (type 1), mainly affecting young people. Its cause is the death of pancreatic cells (90%) as a result of a viral infection or decreased immunity. In this case, the body is unable to produce insulin on its own.

Insulin-independent (type 2). With this type of disease, insulin is not only produced by the pancreas, but even an excess of it is formed. However, the body's cells are unable to perceive it due to loss of sensitivity to it. Type 2 diabetes is a hereditary disease, common among people over 40 years of age, who often suffer from obesity, which, by the way, can sometimes be considered one of the signs of the disease.

Diabetes mellitus is a special disease, one of the few in which a healthy lifestyle is perhaps no less important than taking medication, and the patient is even more responsible for the success of treatment than the doctor.
A person with diabetes has to learn many different things: to fight excess weight, calculate the carbohydrates consumed with food, self-monitor blood glucose levels (up to 6-7 times a day), calculate optimal insulin doses, and prevent complications (damage to eyes, kidneys, feet).

Unfortunately, anyone can develop diabetes. Most likely, it will be type II diabetes. Diabetes can occur if you have one or more risk factors for developing diabetes. These include:
• heredity – if someone in your family had diabetes;
• overweight and obesity – the likelihood of diabetes is higher if your body mass index is 30 or higher;
• lack of balanced nutrition – if you consume a lot of carbohydrates, insulin cannot cope with their processing;
• concomitant cardiovascular pathology;
• chronic stress;
• chronic adrenal insufficiency.

Nevertheless, diabetes is not a death sentence, but merely a diagnosis of one of the diseases. People with diabetes are required to participate directly in the treatment process, not to mention motivation and inner strength.

To keep the disease under control and live a full life, it is necessary to:
— engage in physical activity: at least 10-20 minutes a day of any sport. Good ways to keep your body and health in shape are – walking up stairs instead of using the elevator, walking in the park with friends instead of an evening at a cafe, active games with children instead of a computer, using public transport instead of personal for morning commutes to work;
— avoid excess weight;
— give up smoking and excessive alcohol consumption;
— regularly monitor blood glucose levels, blood pressure, and total cholesterol;
— undergo an endocrinologist examination at least once a month, and a full medical examination at least once a year;
— do not expose yourself to stress;
— take medications strictly as prescribed by your doctor;
— follow a therapeutic diet.

Fortunately, the level of development of modern medicine allows us to combat diabetes, and patients with this disease can lead a full life. But do not forget that the earlier any disease is detected, the easier it is to fight it. So always be attentive to your health and the slightest unusual manifestations of the body.

But even better – always stay healthy!

Natalia BOKISH, Deputy Chief Physician for Medical Affairs of Beshenkovichi Central District Hospital.

"Zarya"