CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES

Transcription

1 What Is Diabetes CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES Che cos è il diabete

2 What Is Diabetes DIABETES MELLITUS is a frequent lifelong disease. In Italy there are 3.5 million people with diabetes, plus nearly 1.5 million more who have the same condition but are not aware of it. TO PUT IT SIMPLY, YOU HAVE DIABETES WHEN YOUR BLOODSTREAM CONTAINS TOO MUCH SUGAR (GLUCOSE: HENCE THE TERM BLOOD GLUCOSE ). Glucose is an important and necessary source of energy for the entire body. Sugar is so necessary that it is produced naturally by our body, although most is derived from the food we eat. As a result of diabetes, sugar accumulates in the blood: this situation could be compared to a river that is swollen with water and nutrients (sugar) but cannot reach its destination (crops etc). This happens because the gates of access to the fields are defective; similarly, in diabetes the glucose cannot enter the cells properly because of a defective action of insulin.

3 BLOOD GLUCOSE IS REGULATED BY INSULIN, A HORMONE RELEASED BY PANCREATIC CELLS. Insulin helps glucose enter muscle, liver and fat tissue cells. When insulin is inadequate, the glucose accumulates in the blood: this condition is diabetes. Medicines, and more importantly a correct lifestyle, allow people with diabetes to reach normal blood sugar values, ensuring the correct functioning of all metabolisms and the prevention of organ damage in the long term. Without nourishment from the river, the life on its banks suffers; with water and nourishment, it thrives again. It is the same with our body: it suffers when the glucose level is high, but its health condition can improve with the appropriate treatments.

4 Types of Diabetes TYPE 1 DIABETES is caused by a loss or malfunction of the cells that produce insulin in the pancreas (beta cells). This type of diabetes is always treated with insulin injections to keep blood sugar under control. IN TYPE 2 DIABETES, your body is resistant to the effect of insulin which, additionally, is produced by the pancreas in inadequate amounts. This type of diabetes is treated with a balanced diet, exercise, and loss of excess weight. The treatment is also based on the use of medicines, as well as insulin if necessary. The symptoms that accompany diabetes are observed mainly in type 1 diabetes, and their onset tends to be sudden. Conversely, in type 2 diabetes these signs are absent or minimal, and the disease develops slowly over several years. In fact, type 2 diabetes is often discovered accidentally. There are other kinds of diabetes too: GESTATIONAL DIABETES (during pregnancy). And some less common forms: GENETIC DIABETES; DIABETES CAUSED BY CERTAIN MEDICINAL PRODUCTS (for example cortisones) DIABETES CAUSED BY CERTAIN PANCREATIC DISEASES.

5 Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes The signs and symptoms of diabetes are consequences of excess glucose (high blood glucose). The most important symptoms of diabetes may include: FREQUENT NEED TO URINATE FATIGUE INCREASED THIRST LOSS OF WEIGHT EYESIGHT PROBLEMS These symptoms are observed mainly in type 1 diabetes, and their onset tends to be sudden. Conversely, in type 2 diabetes these signs are absent or minimal, and the disease develops slowly over several years. In fact, type 2 diabetes is often discovered accidentally.

6 Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors Some factors may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, in particular: BEING OVERWEIGHT LACK OF EXERCISE AGE FAMILY HISTORY of type 2 diabetes HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE PREGNANCY developing diabetes during pregnancy ETHNIC ORIGIN People belonging to certain ethnic groups have higher risks of developing type 2 diabetes (Asian, North American natives, Central and South American populations, natives of the Indian peninsula, the Pacific islands, and Afro-Americans) Therefore, type 2 diabetes depends on external causes (incorrect diet, lack of exercise), as well as body-related factors (genetic predisposition). In any case, by taking action on lifestyle-related factors, type 2 diabetes can be avoided or delayed.

7 Why should diabetes be kept under control? By causing altered blood sugar levels, diabetes can be harmful to our body. The heart, the kidneys, the blood circulation in the brain and the legs, as well as the eyes may suffer damage or malfunctions due to excess glucose. Diabetes treatment should be aimed at keeping blood sugar under control, and should also include control of all factors that may be harmful to our body. In addition to keeping blood glucose under control, diabetics should not smoke and should monitor their blood pressure and cholesterol. Your doctor will help you with this. The best thing to do is follow a correct lifestyle, because it teaches you to adopt rules of healthy behaviour, which over time will become an investment in your own health. An appropriate treatment can limit the damage of diabetes. At the same time, you will need to undergo periodic checks, for example to monitor the condition of your heart, eyes and feet.

8 How do I know if my diabetes is under control? A good way to keep your diabetes under control is to measure a glucoserelated substance in the blood, called glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). HbA1c tells you the average glucose level in the last 2-3 months; in other words, it indicates how much sugar pollution there has been in our river over this period.

9 The BLOOD GLUCOSE TEST is performed on a drop of blood on a strip using a GLUCOMETER (equipment to measure blood glucose at home). This test is very important because it SHOWS HOW BLOOD GLUCOSE CHANGES DURING THE DAY and allows doctors to personalize your treatment and manage potential emergencies and/or special situations. Of course, the criteria, times and methods to perform the test must be agreed with your doctor.

10 Some key figures to diagnose diabetes. In people without diabetes, fasting blood glucose should be below 100 mg/dl, and glycated hemoglobin below 42 mmol/mol (6%). When fasting blood glucose is above 126 mg/dl or glycated hemoglobin is above 48 mmol/mol (6.5%) on two or more tests, the person has diabetes. FASTING BLOOD GLUCOSE mg/dl More than 126 mg/dl If confirmed, diabetes is diagnosed mg/dl mg/dl Altered blood glucose, to be double-checked mg/dl Normal blood glucose mg/dl mg/dl < 70 mg/dl Low blood glucose. Note: a too low glucose level (e.g. below 70 mg/dl) can also be harmful. This is true especially for elderly people NON-FASTING BLOOD GLUCOSE: Diabetes is also diagnosed when the blood sugar level is occasionally very high (more than 200 mg/dl). American Diabetes Association. Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes Diabetes Care 2012; 35 (supll. 1)

11 ... to control diabetes properly. GLYCATED HEMOGLOBIN (HBA1C) The most reliable way to know if your diabetes is properly controlled is to measure your HbA1c periodically. More than 75 mmol/mol (9%) badly controlled diabetes mmol/mol (8-9%) uncontrolled diabetes mmol/mol (7-8%) inadequately controlled diabetes. Less than 53 mmol/mol (7%) well-controlled diabetes. The glycated hemoglobin value can be expressed in two ways: as a percentage or in mmol/mol (see the comparison table below). % mmol/mol Acceptable glucose levels in people with diabetes: Fasting blood glucose ranging from 90 to 130 mg/dl Blood glucose 2 hours after a meal below 180 mg/dl American Diabetes Association. Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes Diabetes Care 2012; 35 (supll. 1)

12 The complete line of brochures dedicated to Diabetes is available for download from What Is Diabetes CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES Low blood glucose HOW TO RECOGNIZE IT AND WHAT DO TO Complications WHICH COMPLICATIONS, WHY THEY OCCUR, AND HOW TO PREVENT THEM Le complicanze Diabetes and special situations ILLNESS, TRAVEL AND HOLIDAYS Diabete e situazioni particolari Correct lifestyle NUTRITION AND EXERCISE RECOMMENDATIONS ABC of insulin WHAT IT IS AND HOW IT IS USED L ipoglicemia Il corretto stile di vita Che cos è il diabete ABC of insulin What Is Diabetes Low blood glucose Complications Diabetes and special situations Correct lifestyle ABC of insulin Also available in the following languages: Italian French Spanish German Russian Romanian Albanian Filipino Hindi Arabic Chinese For more information please contact your doctor or call toll-free Every day from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Copyright 2012, Eli Lilly Italia SpA. Tutti i diritti riservati. ITDBT00255i