Diabetes - a complex metabolic disease

Diabetes mellitus is the umbrella term for various disorders and diseases of the human metabolism. The main characteristic is chronic hyperglycemia, also known as hyperglycemia, which is why diabetes is often referred to as diabetes. However, this cannot be generalized, as it is not always only the carbohydrate metabolism that is disturbed, but the fat and protein metabolism can also be out of balance.

Insulin plays a decisive role in the development of diabetes. Insulin is a vital metabolic hormone that controls carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. Diabetes is caused by various disorders in the release of insulin from the beta cells of the pancreas. All disorders lead to increased blood sugar levels, as there is a deficiency of the hormone insulin and/or the insulin effect is reduced.

From a medical point of view, diabetes is divided into two different forms:
type-1 and type-2 diabetes mellitus.

Type 1 diabetes:

• This form of diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas are destroyed by the body's own defense system.
• The body no longer produces insulin and there is an absolute insulin deficiency.
• Usually begins in childhood and adolescence
• There is currently no cure for the disease and sufferers have to inject insulin throughout their lives and constantly adjust the insulin dose. This can significantly prevent or delay secondary vascular and nerve diseases.

Type 2 diabetes:

• is the most common form of diabetes - around 90% of those affected have type 2 diabetes. The decisive factor for this form is that the effect of insulin in the body's cells is reduced , which is referred to as insulin resistance.
• This type of diabetes is extremely multi-layered and complex. It manifests itself in varying degrees of insulin resistance and insulin deficiency.
• In addition to a hereditary predisposition, obesity and lack of exercise are considered to be the main causes of type 2 diabetes. An unbalanced diet (low in fiber, high in fat and sugar) and smoking also promote the development of type 2 diabetes.
• At the beginning of treatment for type 2 diabetes, general measures such as consistent and conscious lifestyle changes and a normal body weight are attempted. Only if this is not possible in the long term should medication be used. This is because type 2 diabetes is curable. If all measures are unsuccessful, various oral medications are available. And only if all these measures fail to bring the disease back under control do type 2 diabetics have to inject themselves with insulin.

Recognize symptoms of diabetes in good time

Classic symptoms such as weight loss, noticeable thirst and increased urine flow are observed particularly in younger people with incipient type 1 diabetes.

The symptoms mentioned above are not typical for older people. It therefore makes sense to check the fasting glucose level in the blood as part of check-ups.

People have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes:

• over 45 years
• overweight (BMI over 27)
• with high blood pressure
• with lipometabolic disorders
• with coronary heart disease or circulatory disorders of the brain
• who already have a family history of diabetes
• who smoke

Especially for people who have an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, we recommend regular preventive diagnostics (check-ups) at our practice to rule out diabetes or detect it at an early stage.

7 tips for preventing/preventing type 2 diabetes

A health-conscious lifestyle can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Whether you develop type 2 diabetes or not, your diet, exercise habits and how you deal with stress often play an important and decisive role.

Many habits have often crept in, which is why a lifestyle change is not easy. However, medical findings show that a rethink is worthwhile.

1. Excess weight: Excess weight is one of the most relevant risk factors. It is therefore extremely important to lose excess weight. An excessively large abdominal circumference can be a sure sign that the internal organs have already accumulated fat. Fatty liver in particular plays a major role in the development of type 2 diabetes.
2. Exercise: Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. The exercise should be a little strenuous and preferably sweaty. Try to integrate exercise into your everyday life and start with simple things, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Sports such as Nordic walking, swimming or cycling are easy on the joints and particularly effective. In addition to losing weight, exercise also has positive side effects - you increase your well-being!
3. Diet: Make sure you eat a varied and balanced diet. Your diet should include plenty of fiber-rich foods such as vegetables, fruit, whole grain products and legumes. Avoid hidden fats (e.g. in sausage, meat and cheese). Instead, stick to a plant-based (vegetarian) diet in which meat and sausage are not eaten every day.
4. Drinking: Make sure that you drink at least 1.5 - 2 liters of water a day. Avoid soft drinks (fruit juices, cola, lemonade), as these contain a lot of sugar and drive up your blood sugar and insulin levels.
5. Smoking: Smoking nicotine is a significant risk factor. Quitting smoking reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Harmful substances such as carbon monoxide have a damaging effect on fatty tissue and the pancreas. As a result, the metabolism is negatively affected by reduced insulin activity.
6. Sleep: Sufficient sleep is very important, as a lack of sleep and disturbed sleep have a negative effect on blood sugar levels, insulin action and insulin secretion as well as weight.
7. Relaxation: Blood sugar levels can rise due to stress hormones. It is therefore important to reduce or even completely avoid unnecessary sources of stress. In order to stay healthy, breaks and time-outs that consciously lead you to calm and serenity are extremely important.

It's never too late to take time for prevention! Talk to us, we will be happy to support you.