Many signs of diabetes mellitus are visible to the naked eye. If you pay attention to them in time, the serious consequences of the disease can be avoided.

To date, the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, unfortunately, is not uncommon. However, the achievements of medicine, based on the constant study of this disease, allow patients with diabetes mellitus to lead a normal life, work fully and play sports.

Diabetes mellitus has acquired the proportions of a global epidemic: according to the WHO, about 347 million people in the world have diabetes, and by 2030 their number may exceed 530 million.Diabetes is one of the leading causes of premature morbidity and mortality, as it often leads to amputation of limbs, loss of vision , renal failure and provokes cardiovascular disease.

According to Ukrainian statistics, about 1.3 million people in our country suffer from diabetes mellitus. However, many Ukrainian doctors – endocrinologists are convinced that there are 2-2.5 times more diabetics among Ukrainians than the official figure shows. Due to their lack of knowledge, most are unaware of their diagnosis until complications develop.

At the same time, you can suspect you have a high risk of developing diabetes or the disease itself before a blood sugar test is performed. It is enough to listen to your body.

In medical practice, there are two main types of diabetes mellitus:

• Type 1 diabetes mellitus
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus can occur in people of different nationalities, ages and professions. This disease does not pass by celebrities either. Many famous actors and politicians, singers and even athletes are familiar with this ailment. But diabetes did not become an insurmountable obstacle for them between dreams, plans and real achievements. Diabetes cannot diminish talent or abolish a person’s genius.

Signs and signals of the body that should alert

• polyuria – increased urine excretion caused by an increase in its osmotic pressure due to the presence of dissolved glucose in the urine (normally there is no glucose in the urine)
• polydipsia – constant thirst, caused by significant losses of water in the urine, as well as an increase in the osmotic pressure of the blood.
• polyphagia is a constant feeling of hunger. This symptom accompanies diabetes mellitus due to the inability of cells to absorb and process glucose without insulin. Sweet cravings also appear.
• nausea
• persistent chronic fatigue
• weight loss (with type 1 diabetes)
• calf muscle cramps
• dry skin
• itching of the skin and genitals
• fungal infections (including persistent vaginal infections in women) Fungi and bacteria feel comfortable in a sugar-rich environment
• numbness, heat in the hands and feet, swelling
• slow wound healing. Excessive sugar damages blood vessels, making it harder for blood to flow to the wound site and inhibits healing
• blurred vision

The presence of these signs is a serious reason to measure blood glucose levels.

If your fasting blood sugar is higher than 5.5 mmol / L and after a meal is higher than 7.8 mmol / L, you should not delay your doctor’s appointment.

There are myths among the older population that blood sugar up to 10 mmol / l for their age is the norm. This is a very serious mistake. Blood sugar levels are independent of age. 

The sooner a person pays attention to signals that may indicate the development of diabetes mellitus, the more likely it is to stop the disease or, at least, to take it under control in order to avoid deadly consequences.

Doctors of MC Altamedica will always come to the rescue on time.

At MC Altamedica, it takes only a few hours to confirm or deny the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus . You will be examined by an endocrinologist, a blood test will be performed for glucose levels, and, if necessary, for glycated hemoglobin (the level of glucose concentration in the patient’s blood for 2-3 months )  

If the diagnosis was confirmed and more complex studies are needed:

determination of C – peptide, antibodies to insulin (for differential diagnosis of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus), then such analyzes require 3-4 days.

Diabetes mellitus is always easier to prevent . Therefore, follow a few guidelines:

• Eat right! Eat a diet low in fat and high in fiber. Five meals with vegetables and fruits for the day.
• Eat more complex carbohydrate foods. This will slow down the flow of glucose into the blood, keep cholesterol levels low (for example, wholemeal bread, pasta, rice, vegetables, oats, barley , cabbage, buckwheat, potatoes).
• Do not put heavy loads on the pancreas! Eat small meals every 4 hours. This is the best way to provide your blood with the necessary amount of insulin to digest the food you eat.
• Don’t eat sugar and salt! Even a very small amount of sugar eaten can skyrocket your blood levels. And salty food raises blood pressure dramatically.
• Watch your weight!
• Go in for sports! Engaging in light physical exercise at least 5 times a week reduces the risk of developing diabetes mellitus by 50%.
• Drink vitamins!
• Do not be nervous!