2024-02-12 05:46:00
In diabetes, the vessels of the fundus and kidneys are most quickly affected.
What blood sugar level is considered normal and what is considered high? At what blood sugar level can we talk regarding the presence of diabetes mellitus? Lyudmila Burnasheva, a doctor at the endocrinology clinic of the Yakut Republican Clinical Hospital, answers these and other questions related to diabetes.
What kind of “sugar” is considered normal?
The normal level of blood sugar (doctors use the term glycemia) on an empty stomach (that is, following an overnight fast) is 3.3-5.5 mmol/l, and two hours following eating – no higher than 7 mmol/l. With fasting glucose from 5.5 to 6.1 mmol/l and from 7.8 to 11.1 mmol/l two hours following a meal, indicates a risk of developing diabetes mellitus in the future and requires a special examination.
Why does type 2 diabetes develop?
The development of type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with a decrease in the sensitivity of body tissues to its own insulin (insulin resistance) and insufficient insulin production to overcome the barrier of insulin resistance, resulting in increased blood sugar. The higher the body weight, the higher the insulin resistance and the more insulin is needed to overcome this barrier, which ultimately leads to a decrease in insulin production.
How does “high sugar” manifest itself?
Diabetes mellitus is translated from Latin as “diabetes mellitus”. When blood sugar rises (hyperglycemia), the body seeks to get rid of excess sugar by excreting excess sugar in the urine. The appearance of sugar in the urine causes increased fluid secretion, causing the body to become dehydrated and thirsty. Since glucose cannot be used by tissues as a source of energy, the body makes up for energy deficiency through the breakdown of its own proteins and fats, which causes weight loss and weakness.
Why is high blood sugar dangerous?
When blood sugar rises, the vessels are the first to suffer, their walls become thickened and sclerosed, the lumen of the vessels narrows, and they can no longer effectively supply the tissues with oxygen. The vessels of the fundus and kidneys are most quickly affected, resulting in decreased vision and impaired excretory function of the kidneys. Every second blind person on the globe is a diabetic, every third patient in need of hemodialysis is a diabetic. Peripheral nerves are also affected, which causes the appearance of severe pain in the lower extremities – polyneuropathy, atrophic disorders with the development of ulcerative lesions of the foot, which is fraught with the development of gangrene. But the most dangerous thing is the extremely rapid progression of atherosclerosis of the blood vessels of the heart and brain, which quadruples the risk of heart attack and stroke in patients with type 2 diabetes compared to the general population.
Is it possible to prevent the development of vascular complications of diabetes?
Of course you can! Normalizing blood sugar levels significantly reduces the risk of developing all complications of diabetes.
What should you do to normalize blood sugar?
First of all, change your lifestyle and diet to reduce weight, and therefore insulin resistance. The expression “Diabetes is a way of life” means not only adherence to a diet, but also a change in life position, physical activity and attitude towards one’s own health.
When to lose weight and how to achieve it?
You need to lose weight gradually (by 0.5 -0.8 kg/week), but the most difficult thing is to maintain the reduced weight.
To do this you need:
- Change your diet – eat evenly throughout the day in small portions, do not eat at night;
- Reconsider your eating habits.
The first rule of nutrition is to exclude all easily digestible carbohydrates (primarily sweets, which quickly satisfy the feeling of hunger). They stimulate the release of insulin, which converts them into fats.
The second rule is to reduce the caloric content of food. How to achieve this? Eliminate all fried and fatty foods – smoked and fried meats, fish, cheese, fatty dairy products, nuts, seeds, sour cream and mayonnaise. Do not fry in oil, stew or bake; Remove visible fat from foods before cooking. Limit, but don’t eliminate, starchy foods and breads. Use wholemeal bread, slowly digestible carbohydrates (buckwheat, rolled oats, yellow rice).
The third rule of nutrition is changing your usual eating habits. You should eat lean varieties of fish and meat, vegetable side dishes instead of potatoes, less bread and sweets, more fresh vegetables and fruits (with the exception of grapes and bananas).
About the benefits of physical activity.
The working muscle actively absorbs glucose from the blood, as a result of which its level in the blood decreases.
Be careful, remember that when taking medications, an excessive decrease in blood sugar is possible – hypoglycemia, so it is better not to do physical exercise on an empty stomach).
Physical activity increases energy expenditure, which, with regular exercise along with a low-calorie diet, promotes weight loss. With physical activity, insulin sensitivity increases, resulting in improved glucose utilization and lower blood sugar levels. But it should be remembered that the increase in physical activity should be gradual in time and intensity – from light, lasting 5-10 minutes, to more intense, lasting 45-60 minutes. Physical activity should become regular, at least three times a week.
Exercises must be carried out in fresh air with sufficient oxygen supply.
Lead an active lifestyle – walk more, spend leisure time in nature rather than in front of the TV, avoid long feasts.
For the information of patients of the endocrinology dispensary, the dispensary has moved, and since February 14 of this year. Reception is conducted at the address: st. Stadukhina, 81, building 1, first floor. Reception is by appointment, from 8.30.
1707748499
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