The first signs of diabetes

Recently, scientists from the Frumkin Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry (IFCHE) of the Russian Academy of Sciences presented to the public a technology for high-precision detection of diabetes in patients by the air they exhale. As noted in the study, one of the main signs of diabetes is the presence of acetone in the exhaled air. And it can be caught with the help of special devices.

“This method can really serve as a primary diagnosis, which will help immediately, without additional consumables and laboratory involvement, to identify people who have pathological amounts of acetone in their exhaled air. Those with a higher than normal exhaled acetone level can be additionally examined for diabetes using classical laboratory methods, says endocrinologist-diabetologist of the European Medical Center Alfaradj Anas

— Is diabetes an inherited or acquired disease?

We have type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. The first type of diabetes is autoimmune and not acquired. In this case, we can talk about the presence of a hereditary factor. The human immune system itself attacks the gastric tissue responsible for insulin production, that is, it attacks the beta cells. Due to the fact that the body destroys beta cells, patients become insulin dependent. And the second type of diabetes is associated with lifestyle, and we can say that this type of disease is already acquired.

— Who is most at risk for diabetes??

– Firstly, these are people with a hereditary factor, that is, those who have relatives with diabetes. Secondly, if we are talking about the second type of diabetes, for the most part these are people who are overweight, obese, leading a sedentary lifestyle.

— How can a person understand that he has signs of incipient diabetes?

– Most often, the first signs are general malaise, dry mouth, frequent urination, the smell of acetone from the mouth, weight loss, that is, when a person is not on a diet, but his weight is decreasing. In men, the first signs of diabetes include recurring urinary tract infections. In women – thrush, which is not treated, that is, with constant treatment, it occurs again. Someone has itchy skin, itching in the perineum, sometimes diabetes leads to a change in vision or its deterioration, therefore, vision problems can be signs of incipient diabetes.

— Is it possible to cure diabetes or can only slow down the disease?

– Today we can say that both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus cannot be cured. But we use therapy to stop it. Doctors compensate for the pathology so that sugar does not affect either the quality of life or its duration. In the early stages, the disease can be stopped by diet, namely, diet therapy. If, according to its results, we get good results of sugar compensation, that is, sugar remains within the target values, this indicates that the diet is working and this can be continued further.

Patients with diabetes can go in for sports, but there is a need to contact an endocrinologist before starting, let’s say, active sports. Sometimes there are changes or complications that require treatment or evaluation in advance, before the start of sports activities. Sometimes it happens that you need to change hypoglycemic therapy depending on the sport, that is, change either the type of therapy or the dosage. In addition, sports affect sugar in different ways. There are sports that increase the level of sugar, there are sports that reduce the level of sugar, so the patient most likely needs the right instruction from the doctor.

— What kind of assistance do people with diabetes receive in Russia??

— In patients with type 1 diabetes, there are special programs for installing an insulin pump with the function of continuous monitoring of glucose according to MSCs as part of the VMP, that is, high medical care. Patients receive this assistance absolutely free of charge everywhere, in all regions, in addition, they receive free test strips, insulin and glucose monitoring tools. Patients with the second type receive a fairly modern therapy. I don’t feel that patients can get less care than they need.

— In modern conditions, is there a threat of a shortage of medicines for diabetics?

– So far, there are no problems with this. It often happens that patients themselves create an artificial shortage when they start stocking up on medicines for 2-5 months in advance. Pharmacies do not have time, and because of this, there is a shortage of medicines. And so, if patients lived in peace, then I am 100% sure that there would be no problems with drugs. But, unfortunately, patients are afraid, so they make such huge purchases. In Russia, patients receive various insulins, including non-imported ones. In terms of effectiveness, I will not say that they are worse – domestic insulins have a fairly good effect on sugar levels. Therefore, I would confidently say that everything is fine and stable with patients, there are no particular threats at the level of drugs.

Mona Platonov.

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