Diabetes mellitus

There are estimates that more than 10% of the population Diabetes are ill. Many of them don't even know it.

There are many measures that can significantly reduce the risk of diabetes. With a healthy Nutrition, regular exercise and a normal body weight can prevent diabetes or help control it. In the early stages of Type 2 diabetes (prediabetes) one can possibly prevent the progression to manifest Diabetes mellitus prevent.

Definition Diabetes mellitus

“Diabetes mellitus” includes several Diseasesthat affect how the body can use the sugar (glucose) in the blood. Glucose is produced from carbohydrates, proteins and fats that we eat. In the stomach, the carbohydrates are converted into glucose, which is then absorbed into the bloodstream.

People with diabetes have too much glucose in their blood

Glucose is vital for health; it is the main source of energy for all cells that make up muscles and other tissues.

The pancreas reacts to the glucose by releasing the hormone insulin. Insulin, in turn, allows glucose to enter the cells. As soon as the glucose has passed from the blood into the cells, the blood sugar level drops again.

If this cycle is disrupted and too much glucose remains in the blood, it can lead to serious health problems.

There are different forms of diabetes

• Diabetes mellitus type 2
Most diabetics have type 2 diabetes. Here, the pancreas still produces insulin, but the cells become increasingly resistant to it.

• Diabetes mellitus type 1
This form of diabetes occurs when the pancreas produces very little or no insulin. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that usually develops in childhood or adolescence, but sometimes only appears in adulthood.

• Gestational diabetes
This form of diabetes can occur in the second half of a pregnancy. Blood sugar levels usually return to normal after the birth of the child. However, about half of all women with gestational diabetes develop type 2 diabetes later in life.

• LADA and MODY diabetes
Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) or (MODY) in youth is a rare form of type 1 diabetes. The resulting so-called “adult-onset diabetes” is a special form of type 2 diabetes that is caused by a single genetic defect.

Blood sugar tests provide clarity

More than a quarter of diabetics do not know that they already have the disease. This number is even higher among seniors. Age is one of the risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Regular blood sugar tests are therefore recommended to prevent serious complications at an early stage. From the age of 45 - regardless of weight or other risk factors - regular checks should be carried out, which should be repeated at least every three years. We offer a diabetes mellitus type 2 consultation 

Over the years, cells often develop resistance to insulin and, in addition, the pancreas' ability to produce insulin is impaired.

But other risks can also trigger for diabetes:

• overweight or obesity 

• lack of movement
• Hypertension
• HDL cholesterol levels below 35 mg/dl or triglyceride levels above 250 mg/dl
• cardiovascular diseases in the past

Prediabetes – the precursor to actual diabetes

If a test shows blood sugar levels higher than normal, but not high enough to cause Diagnosis Diabetes, it is called prediabetes. This is a warning sign that should not be ignored. Prediabetes can lead to the same complications as diabetes, including cardiovascular disease, Stroke, kidney disease and eye damage.

In type 2 diabetes mellitus, elevated blood sugar levels are usually the result of insulin resistance. This means that the body is not able to use insulin effectively. It is estimated that one third of people in Germany aged 18 and over suffer from prediabetes due to incipient insulin resistance. But only around 12% are aware of their illness.

If prediabetes is known, cardiovascular risks must be kept in mind and, above all, blood pressure must be controlled.

prevention of diabetes mellitus type 2

It is important to keep blood sugar levels under control. Good blood sugar control, measured with the long-term glucose level HbA1C test, reduces the risk of diabetes-related complications. In the long term, high blood sugar levels damage blood vessels and nerves. This can lead to diseases such as Heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, eye and nerve damage.

It has also been proven that losing weight from the age of 60, changing your diet and being physically active are effective measures for preventing type 2 diabetes. They are also the basis for type 2 diabetes therapy and can delay or even make drug therapy unnecessary. Even those who are already dependent on diabetes medication can improve blood sugar regulation by adopting a healthier lifestyle and thereby reduce the amount of medication required to a minimum.

Diabetes Emergencies - Warning Signs and Symptoms

Too high or too low blood sugar can become a medical emergency. If left untreated, it can quickly lead to a diabetic coma or even death.

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
If blood sugar falls below 70 mg/dl, hypoglycemia can occur. Hypoglycemia often occurs in older people if they have had hypoglycemia in the past and if they have other diseases in addition to diabetes.

Signs of this include feeling slightly nauseous, sweaty, weak, shaky, hungry, dizzy or irritable. Other signs include visual disturbances, headache, rapid heartbeat, cold and clammy skin, slurred speech, drowsiness, drunken behavior or confusion. Hypoglycemia increases the risk of a heart attack.

Therapy for Acute Hypoglycemia
Candy, sugary soft drinks, fruit juice or glucose tablets can quickly cause blood sugar levels to rise again. However, there are also measures that can be taken to prevent hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is an often underestimated problem, especially in older people, and therefore the Doctor asked how a risk can be reduced.

Increased blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
A very high blood sugar level is called hyperglycemic-hyperosmolar syndrome (HHS). Older diabetics with dehydration are particularly susceptible to it.

Serious warning signs of HHS include leg cramps, dry mouth, rapid heart rate, frequent urination, seizures, dehydration, or confusion.

Therapy for acutely elevated blood sugar
A blood sugar level of 500 mg/dl or more is an emergency. Immediate medical attention is urgently recommended as it may be life-threatening.