Many people develop diabetes over the course of their lives, and the symptoms often go unnoticed. But it’s important to recognize the signs of diabetes in order to treat it properly.
Bremen – Around 7 million people in Deutschland are affected by diabetes mellitus – and the trend is rising. This was determined by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). In many cases, this is also due to the fact that the corona pandemic has changed the habits of many people in terms of nutrition and lifestyle, have changed for the negative.
The RKI reports, among other things, that the pointer on the scales among Germans after the first year of the pandemic showed an average of around a kilo more than before. The increased grip on chocolate and a glass or two of wine during lockdown has left its mark on many people – including children and young people.
Symptoms of diabetes often go unnoticed for a long time, depending on the type
overweight and obesity play a major role in the development of diabetes – at least in type 2 diabetes. Unhealthy nutrition and lack of exercise also increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Depending on the type of diabetes, those affected often do not notice their condition for a long time. However, there are clear signs that point to one or the other type of the disease. But what exactly is the difference between the two types of diabetes?
What is diabetes? And what is the difference between type 1 and type 2?
Diabetes mellitus is generally a chronic metabolic disease. It is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, i.e. the blood sugar level is permanently elevated. According to the Diabetes Infoportal des Helmholtz Center Munich This is caused by the fact that the absorption of sugar (glucose) from the blood into the body’s cells is disturbed. The hormone insulin, which is produced by the pancreas, is required so that the sugar from food can be absorbed and utilized by the body’s cells. Depending on whether production is completely or only partially restricted, there is a difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes usually occurs at a young age, but it can also affect adults
Type 1 diabetes usually occurs early, in childhood and adolescence. This is an autoimmune disease. A false reaction of the immune system leads to irreparable damage to the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The body can then no longer produce insulin and cannot absorb the sugar from the blood into the body cells. As a result, the blood sugar level is permanently elevated.
As an autoimmune disease, the development of this form cannot actually be influenced by lifestyle and eating habits. However, the RKI points out that “social distancing” is carried out contact restrictions during the Corona-Pandemics has increased the risk of type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents – triggered by psychological stress.
The symptoms of type 1 diabetes are usually more pronounced because the disease does not develop gradually, but usually occurs suddenly and gets worse within a few days or weeks. as first signsthat something is wrong, those affected often notice that they suddenly have a increased thirst, frequent urge to urinate and starke fatigue feel. They are also more susceptible to infections.
If these symptoms occur, a large proportion of the cells that produce insulin in the pancreas have often already been destroyed. The diagnosis is usually made because those affected have consulted a doctor because of the frequent urination. You then have to inject insulin for the rest of your life and measure your blood values regularly.
In type 2 diabetes, the signs do not appear at all or only appear gradually
Type 2 diabetes, unlike type 1, develops over a longer period of time. The warning signs are therefore also weaker. In many cases there are even no symptoms at all, even if the disease is more advanced, it is therefore often only diagnosed by chance or because certain risk factors are present.
Typ-2-Diabetes usually occurs only from the age of 40 on, hence the nickname adult-onset diabetes. The reaction of the body cells to the hormone insulin slowly decreases. The blood sugar level rises because the sugar in the blood is not broken down as effectively as before. The pancreas then increases insulin production to compensate for the insensitivity of the cells to insulin. At some point, however, this is no longer enough, the cells are overwhelmed and shut down. Over time, less and less insulin is released.
This form of diabetes is closely related to certain lifestyle habits that trigger the disease. This includes Obesity, lack of exercise and unhealthy diet. In the early stages of the disease, those affected can often achieve an improvement in blood sugar levels by changing their diet or incorporating more exercise into their everyday lives. The additional administration of insulin can then possibly even be avoided or greatly reduced.
How can I identify signs of diabetes in myself?
The permanently elevated blood sugar level that occurs as part of diabetes, regardless of the type, leads to a number of symptoms. According to the Helmholtz Center Munich and RKI, the most typical include:
- increased urge to urinate (to get rid of the sugar in the blood)
- feeling very thirsty (due to the urge to urinate)
- Weight loss (frequent urination causes dehydration)
- the skin is dry and itchy (due to lack of fluids)
- muscle weakness
- Tiredness (the energy source sugar is not properly utilized)
- Susceptibility to infection and poor wound healing (since the immune system is weakened)
- visual disturbances
- Bad breath (like acetone, like nail polish)
How is diabetes diagnosed? When should you see a doctor if you have symptoms?
Because the “diabetes” Diabetes serious consequences such as a stroke, heart attack or kidney damage, it is advisable to pay attention to the occurrence of the typical symptoms and, if necessary, to consult a doctor you trust. By measuring the blood sugar level, it is then determined whether diabetes is present and, by means of further tests, which type it is.
The further treatment is then coordinated in order to enable those affected to have the highest possible quality of life despite the illness. In most cases, this will be a mixture of insulin shots and lifestyle changes. Overweight should then be reduced as much as possible be made and the diet made healthier.