- Let’s start from the beginning: what is diabetes and what are its main types?
- Diabetes mellitus, often called diabetes in society, is a disease in which the body is unable to properly use or produce insulin, the hormone responsible for transporting sugar (glucose) into cells. Glucose is the main source of energy, but due to a lack of insulin or the body’s resistance to insulin, glucose accumulates in the blood, damaging blood vessels. If glucose does not enter the cells, all the organs are damaged because they lack the energy to do their work.
Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90 percent of all cases of diabetes, develops mostly due to genetic predisposition to suffer from this disease, improper diet, too little physical activity, long-term chronic stress, lack of sleep. In type 2 diabetes, cells become resistant to the action of insulin. This means that insulin is present in the body, but it is not doing its job. Many people make the mistake of thinking that this type of diabetes is easier, because at the beginning of the disease, a person usually does not feel any symptoms due to the gradually increasing amount of sugar in the body. However, it is no less dangerous than type 1 diabetes, because if the disease is not diagnosed and treated, chronic complications of diabetes slowly develop in the body. It is not uncommon for the exhaustion of the pancreatic reserve to develop acute complications, the same as in type 1 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes children and young people under the age of 35 usually get sick. The body begins to produce substances that attack its own organs, damage the pancreas, which stops producing insulin. This type of diabetes is also influenced by heredity, the disease can be provoked by viral infections. Within a few months of the onset of the disease, weakness, thirst, increased appetite, increased urination, and then the smell of acetone from the mouth appear. To treat this type of diabetes, insulin is prescribed from day one.
- How is diabetes diagnosed? Who should be alarmed and when should you urgently seek help?
- Type 1 diabetes does not remain undiagnosed for a long time, because the human body simply cannot function without insulin, the symptoms of the disease progress. People with a family history of type 1 diabetes are more likely to develop type 1 diabetes, especially if they have autoantibodies against the pancreas. However, this disease often occurs in families where there were no sick people before. If you experience the general symptoms mentioned above, we encourage you to immediately contact a medical institution, thus avoiding the most common complication - ketoacidosis (a condition where, in the absence of your own insulin, the body’s fats, which are needed for energy, begin to be broken down and an excess of toxic substances is produced).
The situation with type 2 diabetes is completely different: it is necessary to carry out tests even if there are no symptoms, but there are risk factors for type 2 diabetes: overweight or obesity, diagnosed cardiovascular diseases, there are people with type 2 diabetes in the family or it was diagnosed during pregnancy gestational diabetes. The gold standard for diagnosing the disease is a glucose tolerance test performed by a family doctor.
- Can this disease be prevented?
- If I had been asked this question ten years ago, the answer would have been no. Fortunately, much progress has been made during this time and now the answer is yes – it is possible to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes through lifestyle changes. It is also necessary to reduce body weight, which should decrease by at least 5-7 percent, preferably by 10 percent or more. There are health promotion programs in Lithuania aimed at the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, but their effectiveness and scope are not sufficient. The risk of type 2 diabetes is also reduced by other measures prescribed to treat obesity – medications or surgical treatment of obesity.
As for type 1 diabetes, prevention opportunities are much smaller, but research data was recently published that some drugs can delay the onset of the disease by even a dozen months, a high risk of developing type 1 diabetes in people. In addition, the risk of developing type 1 diabetes is reduced by hardening the body, feeding with mother’s milk in infancy, and using vitamin D.
- How is diabetes treated?
- Treatment of diabetes depends on the type of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is treated from the beginning of the diagnosis and for the rest of life with insulin, which is injected subcutaneously 4-5 times a day or administered subcutaneously with the help of an insulin pump.
For people with type 2 diabetes, the most important part of treatment is lifestyle change: weight loss, increasing physical activity, changing eating habits. Treatment with oral and topical medications is usually required, and insulin is administered in the late stages.
- What is reimbursed for patients treated for diabetes?
- Treatment options for diabetes patients in Lithuania have been improving in recent years. From 2022 all patients with type 1 diabetes can receive sensors for continuous glucose measurement compensated by the budget of the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund (PSDF). In addition, insulin pump therapy is also provided to those who need it, including a pump that can stop insulin delivery if blood glucose levels drop. The number of compensated diagnostic strips per patient in Lithuania is one of the highest in Europe. For those suffering from type 2 diabetes, especially if there are cardiovascular risk factors, diagnosed cardiovascular diseases or chronic kidney disease, it is possible to prescribe the latest generation of medications that not only reduce the amount of glucose in the body, but also stop the progression of the aforementioned diseases.
- What are the treatment options for diabetes in Kaunas clinics?
- The Endocrinology Clinic of Kaunas Clinics is one of the largest diabetes centers in Lithuania, which is visited by about 10,000 patients every year. patients. In the hospital, conditions have been created for people with diabetes to see at least one doctor within 1-2 weeks, and if necessary, to be hospitalized within a few days.
The clinic employs a multidisciplinary team of specialists who help to urgently solve the most complex issues of diabetes diagnosis, treatment and diabetic foot treatment tactics. The necessary tests are urgently carried out for the patients, and treatment is prescribed, which reduces the risk of losing a limb. We are glad to have a medical geneticist, who helps diagnose rarer cases of genetic diabetes, and a medical psychologist, who helps patients overcome the psychological difficulties associated with the disease.
The endocrinology clinic has recently implemented an advanced transition of children with type 1 diabetes to the adult period, that is, the pediatric endocrinologist introduces the patient and his medical history to the adult endocrinologist. The patient is provided with safety, continuity of treatment and the best quality of service during this transition period. Another innovation – starting this year is the possibility of conducting an expensive but very necessary test for autoantibodies against the zinc transporter in uncertain diagnostic cases. This test helps confirm the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes in complex and uncertain cases.
Kaunas clinics inform. and photo
What are the key differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in terms of symptoms and treatment?
Understanding Diabetes: Key Insights on Types, Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment
Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, is a condition where the body cannot effectively use or produce insulin, a hormone crucial for facilitating the transport of glucose into cells. This leads to elevated blood glucose levels, which can damage blood vessels and organs over time due to lack of energy necessary for their proper function.
Key Types of Diabetes
- Type 2 Diabetes:
– This form accounts for 90% of diabetes cases and primarily develops from genetic predispositions, unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles, chronic stress, and inadequate sleep.
– Individuals with Type 2 diabetes often remain asymptomatic initially, leading to a dangerous misconception that it is less severe than Type 1 diabetes. Without proper management, it can result in chronic complications, similar to those seen in Type 1.
- Type 1 Diabetes:
– Typically diagnosed in children and young adults under 35, Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the pancreas, impairing insulin production.
– Symptoms evolve rapidly, including extreme thirst, increased urination, and fatigue. Immediate insulin treatment is critical following diagnosis.
Diagnosis Protocols
- Type 1 Diabetes: Symptoms usually prompt swift diagnosis; individuals with a family history of Type 1 or those displaying common symptoms should seek immediate medical assistance to avoid severe complications like ketoacidosis.
- Type 2 Diabetes: Because it can develop without symptoms, regular testing is recommended for at-risk individuals, such as those who are overweight, have a family history of diabetes, or have experienced gestational diabetes. A glucose tolerance test is the standard diagnostic practice.
Prevention Strategies
Recent advancements have shown that Type 2 diabetes is preventable or its onset can be delayed through lifestyle modifications:
- Weight reduction of 5-10% can significantly lower diabetes risk.
- Health promotion programs exist but may lack adequate reach and effectiveness.
- Medications and surgical interventions for obesity can further decrease risk.
For Type 1 diabetes, while prevention is challenging, research indicates that certain medications may delay its onset, alongside measures such as breastfeeding and adequate vitamin D intake.
Treatment Options
- Type 1 Diabetes:
– Managed exclusively with insulin—via injections or pumps—throughout a patient’s lifetime.
- Type 2 Diabetes:
– Emphasizes lifestyle changes—weight management, dietary adjustments, and physical activity.
– Medications may include oral drugs initially, with insulin required in later stages of the disease.
Support for Patients in Lithuania
Lithuania has enhanced treatment options for diabetic patients, including:
- Continuous glucose monitoring sensors and insulin pumps for Type 1 diabetes, subsidized by health insurance.
- Access to innovative medications for Type 2 diabetes, especially for those with additional cardiovascular risks, as part of comprehensive management.
Conclusion
Diabetes represents a significant health challenge, but with proper awareness, regular screening, proactive lifestyle changes, and effective treatment plans, its impact can be significantly mitigated. Continued efforts in education and resource allocation are essential to address this growing health concern.