Type 2 diabetes: Younger people are increasingly affected

What is commonly referred to as adult-onset diabetes is now increasingly affecting younger people: Even children and adolescents are now suffering from Diabetes mellitus, the diabetes.

What is generally referred to as adult-onset diabetes is now increasingly affecting younger people. Even children and adolescents are now suffering from Diabetes mellitus, diabetes. This is a chronic metabolic disorder in which the blood sugar concentration is temporarily or permanently elevated.

This disease is insidious because it causes no tangible symptoms for years. However, the subsequent damage is dramatic and sometimes irreversible. “The Type 2 diabetes is often only recognized late, not taken seriously or inadequately treated,” says Dr. Reinhold Lunow, internist and medical director of the Praxisklinik Bornheim near Cologne and Bonn. The specialist for Diagnosis and preventive medicine warns: "Patients often tend to repress the situation despite information and training, as noticeable impairments in health often only occur when acute, sometimes irreversible damage occurs."

Because in contrast to type 1Diabetes Type 2 diabetes is rarely associated with weight loss and only with massively elevated blood sugar levels is it accompanied by increased urination and thirst. Non-specific symptoms such as tiredness, weakness, visual disturbances and a tendency to infections, such as frequent bladder infections, often occur.

Disturbances in insulin balance cause diabetes

"As a rule, diabetes is caused by both insufficient production of the hormone insulin and insufficient response of the body's cells to insulin," explains Dr. Lunow. At the beginning of the disease, the pancreas usually still produces enough insulin. However, muscle, liver and fat cells become increasingly insensitive and insulin resistance develops. The pancreas tries to compensate for this by producing even more insulin.

"That's why the insulin levels in the blood of type 2 diabetics can be normal or even elevated, but there is still too little insulin in relation to the blood sugar levels - there is a relative insulin deficiency," says Dr. Lunow. If the body's cells become increasingly less sensitive over time, the pancreas can no longer compensate for this.

The immediate consequence is a permanently elevated blood sugar level (hyperglycemia), because the sugar (glucose) is not sufficiently transported from the bloodstream to the body's cells due to insulin insensitivity. Above all, the fatty tissue of the abdominal cavity (belly fat) also reduces the effect of insulin - a connection that has a direct effect on the heart, liver, muscles and arteries. This leads to lipid metabolism disorders, Hypertension and vascular damage (metabolic syndrome), Heart attack, Stroke, kidney failure and blindness are a threat. If the pancreas stops producing insulin altogether, there is a complete insulin deficiency. The patient is forced to compensate for this by taking insulin.

Obesity and physical inactivity are therefore among the risk factors that promote the development of type 2 diabetes. Other factors include genetic predisposition, medication (e.g. cortisone, diuretics, blood pressure lowering drugs such as beta-blockers, ovulation inhibitors, antidepressants). Diabetes can also be caused by pregnancy, liver disease, physical Stress or other hormonal disorders.

Diabetes-prevention: Check-up in the practice clinic Bornheim

"This type of diabetes usually develops slowly, it can take 5 to 10 years," says Dr. Lunow. "During this time, blood vessels and nerves can already be damaged. In addition, infections occur, for example on the skin and external genitalia, which can be associated with severe itching. Therefore, an early diagnosis by the Doctor as part of a thorough check-up is so important.”

The blood sugar level is checked, among other things. The average blood sugar level is determined using the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). This value provides information on the success of the treatment of a known diabetes. In addition, sugar and protein in the urine are determined. "In our practice clinic, we also check cholesterol and blood fats (triglycerides), close Hypertension and a disruption of fat metabolism,” reports Dr. Lunow. “Our comprehensive Check-up The examination for typical Organ damage on the eyes, kidneys, nervous system and blood vessels.”

Type 2 diabetes is not curable

In order to prevent the development of diabetes, the patient should avoid being overweight, for example by versatile and a and regular exercise. This alone can often bring elevated insulin levels in the blood and the threat of insulin resistance under control.

“Type 2 diabetes is a typical disease of civilization. It is one of the most common causes of death and is incurable. Therefore, it is essential to focus on prevention at an early stage: with a healthy lifestyle and regular preventive examinations“, advises Dr. Lunow.

(Photos: Dmitry Lobanov; JPC-PROD/Fotolia.com)