Diabetes is one of lifestyle-related diseases. Diabetes patients are now said to be 1 in 6 people, including pre-diabetes. Originally, it is said that Japanese people are prone to diabetes, and there are cases where even thin people get diabetes.
In this article, we will discuss the symptoms, causes, and complications of diabetes.
If you are on diabetes treatment or are interested in diabetes and want to know more about it, please refer to it.
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What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease in which insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas) does not work and glucose (blood sugar) increases.
In normal people, insulin works to keep glucose levels constant.
Diabetes, on the other hand, causes glucose levels to rise above normal, increasing the risk of various symptoms and complications.
Main symptoms of diabetes
Diabetes has many symptoms. The main symptoms are:
- Get tired easily
- blurred vision
- dry skin
- lose weight
- have frequent urination
- thirsty
- feel hungry
- Difficulty healing wounds such as cuts
Please refer to it as a guideline to determine whether you have diabetes or not.
If you are concerned about your symptoms, get tested for diabetes.
Types and causes of diabetes
There are four main types of diabetes.
I will explain each in detail.
[Types of diabetes ①] Type 1 diabetes
It is a disease in which little or no insulin is produced by the pancreas. It seems to be a disease that mostly affects young people.
The main cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown to modern medicine.
It is said that pancreatic cells are destroyed for some reason, and insulin cannot be produced.
[Types of diabetes ②] Type 2 diabetes
Insulin resistance is a disease in which the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. It can be said that it is a disease that occurs mainly in middle-aged and older people over the age of 40.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes,In the United States9 out of 10 people with diabetesIt is considered that most Japanese people are type 2.
The main causes are genetic influences, lack of exercise, overeating and obesity.
Treatment is proper exercise and diet. And it is to administer medicine and inject insulin into the stomach.
[Diabetes type 3] Due to other specific mechanisms and diseases
Medications and diseases other than diabetes can affect blood sugar levels and lead to diabetes.
[Types of Diabetes ④] Gestational Diabetes
It is a disease that is first discovered during pregnancy and is a condition in which blood sugar levels are elevated but do not lead to diabetes.
During pregnancy, hormones produced by the placenta have the effect of suppressing the function of insulin, resulting in insufficient insulin production and high blood sugar levels.
Sugar is an important nutrient for babies. Too little or too much will affect growth. Proper blood sugar control is necessary to raise a baby safely.
3 major complications of diabetes
Diabetes has a disease called "three major complications of diabetes".
I will explain each in detail.
[3 major complications of diabetes ①] Diabetic retinopathy
It is a disease that causes poor blood flow in the retina, resulting in blurred vision and blurred vision.
As the symptoms progress, in the worst case, there is a risk of blindness.
[3 major complications of diabetes ②] Diabetic nephropathy
It is a disease in which the function of the kidneys deteriorates, causing an increase in blood pressure and swelling of the body.
As the disease progresses, waste products accumulate in the blood, causing symptoms such as uremia and renal failure.
[Three major complications of diabetes ③] Diabetic neuropathy
It is a disease that causes numbness and pain in the hands and feet due to poor blood flow to and around nerves.
You risk numbness in your feet and, in the worst case, rotten toes.
diabetes test
Here are four tests for diagnosing diabetes.
If you think you may have diabetes, we recommend that you get tested.
[Test for diabetes diagnosis ①] HbA1C test
HbA1C is an item that indicates how much sugar is contained in all hemoglobin (a type of protein in red blood cells).
HbA1C reflects the blood sugar level of the past 1 to 2 months and is not affected by the blood sugar level when tested on the day. Generally, diabetes is diagnosed when the HbA1C value is 6.5% or higher.
[Test for Diagnosis of Diabetes (2)] Early morning fasting blood glucose test
A pre-breakfast blood glucose test. Generally, a value of 126 mg/dL or higher is considered diabetes.
[Test for diabetes diagnosis ③] 75g OGTT test (75g oral glucose tolerance test)
After measuring fasting blood sugar in the early morning, drink 75g of glucose solution. After that, measure the blood glucose level after 30 minutes, 60 minutes, and 120 minutes.
Diabetes is generally diagnosed if the 75g OGTT level at 120 minutes is 200 mg/dL or higher.
[Test for Diabetes Diagnosis ④] As-needed Blood Glucose Test
This is a test that measures blood sugar levels that are not related to meal times. Diabetes is generally diagnosed if it is 200 mg/dL or higher.
diabetes diagnostic criteria
Diabetes can be diagnosed according to the following criteria.
You will be diagnosed with diabetes if you meet the conditions of (1), or if you meet the conditions of (2), (3), or (4).
Below are the detailed diagnostic criteria. Know it as knowledge.
① HbA1C is 6.5% or more
②Early morning fasting blood glucose level 126mg/dL or more
(3) 75g OGTT 120 minutes after taking 75g of glucose is 200mg/dL or higher
④ Occasional blood sugar level 200mg/dL or more
summary
In this article, we discuss the symptoms, causes, and complications of diabetes.
Diabetes is one of the most common diseases of modern people.
The main symptoms of diabetes include fatigue, frequent urination, hunger and thirst.
The main treatments are medications, insulin injections, proper diet and exercise.
There are many different types of diabetes and many different complications.
In the worst case, if not treated early, the symptoms can worsen and become severe.
People with the main symptoms of diabetes are at risk of diabetes. Get the right tests and see a doctor before things get worse. If you are under diabetes treatment, please face the disease firmly and continue treatment.
On the other hand, the technology of "regenerative medicine", which uses autologous stem cells to alleviate the burden on the body while treating it, is also progressing, so it is recommended for those who are suffering from diabetes and those who want to prevent diabetes.
Omotesando Helene Clinic specializes in regenerative medicine that does not place a burden on the body, and has acquired the "GCR: Global Clinic Rating Certification", which is a proof that it exceeds international standards.
If you have any problems, please feel free to contact us.
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