How Dehydration Affects Type 2 Diabetes

We all know how rotten dehydration feels. Not only do we feel sluggish and cranky when we don’t get enough water — in this state, the body isn’t able to pump enough blood to the heart, brain, kidneys, and muscles, says Robert Rizza, MD, an emeritus professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science in Rochester, Minnesota. As a result, your organs don’t run well, Dr. Rizza says. There’s even some evidence associating mild to moderate dehydration with impaired blood vessel function and blood pressure regulation, even in healthy people, as described in a paper published in Nutrients in August 2019.

Health Risks of Dehydration for People Managing Type 2 Diabetes 

For people with type 2 diabetes, dehydration can be especially dangerous. That’s because it causes blood pressure to fall and the body to secrete stress hormones, like norepinephrine and epinephrine, which may raise blood sugar, Rizza explains. When you have high blood sugar, you will often need to go to the bathroom more, notes Mayo Clinic, contributing to further dehydration and a vicious cycle.

In a study published in Nutrition Research in July 2017, researchers looked at a small sample of men who took an oral glucose tolerance test in various hydration statuses. They found that for people with type 2 diabetes, going only three days with subpar water intake (17 to 34 ounces per day) impaired blood glucose response. The effect of dehydration was likely due to an increased level of the stress hormone cortisol, which prompts the release of glucose. People who consumed an amount in line with the recommendations for water intake — around 101 ounces — had better blood glucose control.

More study of the effect of chronic dehydration on these metabolic measures is needed. Those with diabetes are encouraged to consume the amounts set forth by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (previously the National Institute of Medicine), which is 91 ounces per day for women and 125 ounces per day for men, with some of that coming from water-rich foods like fruits and vegetables, per the food and nutrition nonprofit Oldways.

RELATED: What Are the Health Risks of Dehydration?

Can Dehydration Affect Type 2 Diabetes Risk?

Although dehydration can lead to serious health issues, not much research has looked at whether chronic dehydration — and the associated higher blood sugar — may increase the risk of prediabetes and full-blown type 2 diabetes.

“There have been a variety of things dehydration has been suggested to contribute to, but not diabetes,” Rizza says.

But there may be a connection, says Anna Simos, MPH, a certified diabetes care and education specialist (CDCES) with the Stanford Health Care Diabetes Education and Prevention Program in Palo Alto, California. Indeed, according to a previous study, which monitored healthy adults over nine years, people’s self-reported water intake was inversely associated with a risk of developing high blood sugar. This means that people who reported drinking less than ½ a liter of water per day were more at risk of elevated blood sugar than people who reported more than 1 liter.

Scientists theorize that dehydration can lead to an increase in the hormone vasopressin, which prompts the kidneys to retain water and the liver to produce blood sugar, potentially affecting the body’s ability to regulate insulin over time. (A prior paper, however, noted that there’s insufficient evidence linking various health conditions with dehydration, including type 2 diabetes. The one condition that has been shown to be caused by dehydration? Kidney stones.)

The bottom line: More research is needed to fully understand the relationship between dehydration and diabetes, but hydration likely “keeps blood glucose levels a little more stable,” Simos says.

RELATED: 7 Scientific Health Benefits of Water

How to Stay Hydrated if You’re Managing Type 2 Diabetes

Even if scientists still have questions about how dehydration affects the body, staying hydrated is clearly important for good health — especially if you have type 2 diabetes.

So how can you make sure you’re getting enough water to manage diabetes? Rizza and Simos offer the following tips.

Have some salt — but not too much. Too much salt can be bad for blood pressure, Rizza says, but you do need some to maintain proper hydration. When you eat salt, notes the U.S. National Library of Medicine, you help stabilize your electrolytes, which are charged substances that regulate essential functions in your body, helping you stay hydrated. If you already have high blood pressure, talk with your doctor about how much salt to consume.

Check your blood glucose levels in extreme heat, and drink water if they are elevated. When it’s hot, it’s easier to become dehydrated, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. “Staying well hydrated can help reduce your blood glucose levels, which helps you manage the hormone insulin,” Simos explains. And make sure that your blood glucose test strips and insulin are stored in a cool, dry place, she says, so that they don’t lose their potency and accuracy.

Reach for hydrating snacks if you’re hungry. For example, choose a cold piece of melon or a few frozen grapes, Simos says. Drinking a glass of water isn’t the only way to get your fix.

Above all, pay attention to your thirst signals. Ultimately, ensuring you’re well hydrated will help you better manage type 2 diabetes, Simos says. “If you’re already dehydrated, you’re going to be prone to having high blood sugar because you don’t have as much fluid running around in your blood to hydrate and keep that equilibrium with glucose molecules,” Simos explains. She stresses this very fact to her own patients. “I want to keep them hydrated because it keeps their blood glucose levels a little more stable,” she says.

RELATED: 13 Genius Hacks That Will Help You Drink More Water

Dehydration & Diabetes – Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

People with diabetes have an increased risk of dehydration as high blood glucose levels lead to decreased hydration in the body.

Diabetes insipidus, a form of diabetes that is not linked with high blood sugar levels, also carries a higher risk of dehydration.

Symptoms of dehydration

The symptoms of dehydration include:

• Thirst
• Headache
• Dry mouth and dry eyes
• Dizziness
• Tiredness
• Dark yellow coloured urine

Symptoms of severe dehydration

• Low blood pressure
• Sunken eyes
• A weak pulse and/or rapid heartbeat
• Feeling confused
• Lethargy

Causes and contributory factors of dehydration

The following factors can contribute to dehydration. Having more of these factors present at one time can raise the risk of dehydration:

Dehydration and blood glucose levels

If our blood glucose levels are higher than they should be for prolonged periods of time, our kidneys will attempt to remove some of the excess glucose from the blood and excrete this as urine.

Whilst the kidneys filter the blood in this way, water will also be removed from the blood and will need replenishing. This is why we tend to have increased thirst when our blood glucose levels run too high

If we drink water, we can help to rehydrate the blood. The other method the body uses is to draw on other available sources of water from within the body, such as saliva, tears and taking stored water from cells of the body.

This is why we may experience a dry mouth and dry eyes when our blood glucose levels are high.

If we do not have access to drink water, the body will find it difficult to pass glucose out of the blood via urine and can result in further dehydration as the body seeks to find water from our body’s cells.

Treating dehydration

Dehydration can be treated by taking on board fluids. Water is ideal because it has no additional sugar. If dehydration is more severe, and you require medical help, you may be given additional electrolytes (salts) which may be lost from the body through dehydration.

If dehydration is accompanied by hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels), drinking sugary fluids such as fruit juices or sugary fizzy drinks could exacerbate the problem.

Depending on your treatment regimen, it may or may not be possible to actively lower your blood glucose levels.

People who self-adjust their insulin should only take additional insulin if their health team is comfortable with this action.

If in any doubt about how to treat dehydration or high blood glucose levels, contact your health team.

Dehydration and diabetes insipidus

Diabetes insipidus is a particular form of diabetes in which the body is unable to properly regulate the amount of water in the body.

Unlike other types of diabetes, diabetes insipidus is not connected with higher than normal blood glucose levels.

The symptoms of diabetes insipidus include passing large amounts of urine and feeling very thirsty.

If the body is passing too much urine, dehydration can result. In diabetes insipidus, dehydration is treated by taking on fluids.

People with diabetes insipidus may be advised to drink a specific amount of water each day and may be advised to take specific fluids that contain electrolytes if dehydration occurs.

Dehydration and kidney failure

The kidneys rely on sufficient water in the blood to operate properly. Therefore prolonged dehydration can affect the kidney’s ability to function. Chronic dehydration may lead to reduced kidney failure and the likelihood will be increased if you have existing impairments in your kidney function.

Dehydration and ketoacidosis

In people with diabetes, dehydration may be a symptom of very high blood glucose levels. In people with insulin dependent diabetes, ketone levels can rise to dangerous levels as blood glucose levels rise.

The combination of high ketone levels ( ketoacidosis ) and dehydration can be particularly dangerous and could lead diabetic coma if not treated immediately.

Charity Diabetes UK recommends that people with insulin dependent diabetes test for ketones if blood glucose levels rise above 15 mmol/l.

Dehydration and Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Nonketotic Syndrome

In people that are not insulin dependent, dehydration and high blood glucose levels can still be dangerous. Diabetes UK advise that Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic Nonketotic Syndrome (HHNS) is more likely to occur if blood glucose levels rise to 40 mmol/L.

How Does Dehydration Affect Blood-Glucose Levels?

Dehydration may lead to elevated blood-glucose levels.

Image Credit: Polka Dot Images/Polka Dot/Getty Images

Water is important for your health and staying well-hydrated may help you reduce your blood-glucose levels, which helps you better manage the hormone insulin. This is especially important for diabetics and some evidence suggests that proper hydration may help you from getting type 2 diabetes.

Blood Glucose Basics

Glucose is a form of sugar your body uses for energy. When you eat carbohydrates, your body converts carbohydrates to glucose. Foods that are absorbed more rapidly, such as refined sugar and white flour, result in a greater spike in blood glucose, whereas less-refined foods such as whole-grain bread result in a slower, steadier blood-glucose rise. As glucose levels increase, your body releases insulin, which prompts your cells to store glucose and reduces the amount in your bloodstream. Diabetes occurs when people become resistant to insulin, causing blood-glucose levels to remain high.

The Hydration Factor

If you’re concerned about blood glucose, proper hydration should be a top priority. When you’re dehydrated, your body produces a hormone called vasopressin, according to “The New York Times.” Vasopressin causes your kidneys to retain water and also prompts your liver to produce blood sugar, which may lead to elevated blood-glucose levels. Over time, this effect may lead to insulin resistance, notes the “New York Times. “

The Diabetes Connection

Although more studies are needed to confirm this effect, dehydration may eventually lead to chronic hyperglycemia, or high blood glucose, which may indicate diabetes, according to a study published in “Diabetes Care” in 2011. The study followed 3,615 adults over nine years and found that those who drank the greatest amount of water were the least likely to develop hyperglycemia, while those who drank the least amount of water were the most likely to develop hyperglycemia.

Healthy Hydration

Along with possibly helping control your blood-glucose levels, staying hydrated helps your body distribute nutrients, eliminate waste and regulate body temperature. When dehydrated, you may lack energy, have trouble performing mental tasks and even experience low-blood pressure. To stay well-hydrated, most women should drink about 9 cups of water or other fluids per day and men should drink about 13 cups of fluids per day. Most beverages, including coffee, tea and milk, contribute to this total; sugary drinks such as juice and soda, however, may contribute to higher blood-glucose levels.

Symptoms of High Blood Sugar

Topic Overview

High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) is most often seen in people who have diabetes that isn’t well controlled. The symptoms of high blood sugar can be mild, moderate, or severe.

Mild high blood sugar

If your blood sugar levels are consistently higher than your target range (usually 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) to 350 mg/dL in adults and 200 mg/dL to 240 mg/dL in children), you may have mild symptoms of high blood sugar. You may urinate more than usual if you are drinking plenty of liquids. Some people who have diabetes may not notice any symptoms when their blood sugar level is in this range. The main symptoms of high blood sugar are:

• Increased thirst.
• Increased urination.
• Weight loss.
• Fatigue.
• Increased appetite.

Young children are unable to recognize symptoms of high blood sugar. Parents need to do a home blood sugar test on their child whenever they suspect high blood sugar.

If you don’t drink enough liquids to replace the fluids lost from high blood sugar levels, you can become dehydrated. Young children can become dehydrated very quickly. Symptoms of dehydration include:

• A dry mouth and increased thirst.
• Warm, dry skin.

Moderate to severe high blood sugar

If your blood sugar levels are consistently high (usually above 350 mg/dL in adults and above 240 mg/dL in children), you may have moderate to severe symptoms of high blood sugar. These symptoms include:

• Blurred vision.
• Extreme thirst.
• Lightheadedness.
• Flushed, hot, dry skin.
• Restlessness, drowsiness, or difficulty waking up.

If your body produces little or no insulin (people with type 1 diabetes and some people with type 2 diabetes), you also may have:

• Rapid, deep breathing.
• A fast heart rate and a weak pulse.
• A strong, fruity breath odor.
• Loss of appetite, belly pain, and/or vomiting.

If your blood sugar levels continue to rise, you may become confused and lethargic. You also may become unconscious if your blood sugar levels are very high.

Credits

Current as of: August 31, 2020

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson MD – Internal Medicine
Adam Husney MD – Family Medicine
Rhonda O’Brien MS, RD, CDE – Certified Diabetes Educator

Current as of: August 31, 2020

Author:
Healthwise Staff

Medical Review:E. Gregory Thompson MD – Internal Medicine & Adam Husney MD – Family Medicine & Rhonda O’Brien MS, RD, CDE – Certified Diabetes Educator

Hyperglycemia and Diabetic Ketoacidosis (for Parents)

When blood glucose levels (also called blood sugar levels) are too high, it’s called hyperglycemia.

Glucose is a sugar that comes from foods, and is formed and stored inside the body. It’s the main source of energy for the body’s cells and is carried to each through the bloodstream. But even though we need glucose for energy, too much glucose in the blood can be unhealthy.

Hyperglycemia is the hallmark of diabetes — it happens when the body either can’t make insulin (type 1 diabetes) or can’t respond to insulin properly (type 2 diabetes). The body needs insulin so glucose in the blood can enter the cells to be used for energy. In people who have developed diabetes, glucose builds up in the blood, resulting in hyperglycemia.

If it’s not treated, hyperglycemia can cause serious health problems. Too much sugar in the bloodstream for long periods of time can damage the vessels that supply blood to vital organs. And, too much sugar in the bloodstream can cause other types of damage to body tissues, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, vision problems, and nerve problems in people with diabetes.

These problems don’t usually show up in kids or teens with diabetes who have had the disease for only a few years. However, they can happen in adulthood in some people, particularly if they haven’t managed or controlled their diabetes properly.

Blood sugar levels are considered high when they’re above someone’s target range. The diabetes health care team will let you know what your child’s target blood sugar levels are, which will vary based on factors like your child’s age.

Causes of High Blood Sugar Levels

A major goal in controlling diabetes is to keep blood sugar levels as close to the desired range as possible. It’s a three-way balancing act of:

1. diabetes medicines (such as insulin)
2. food
3. activity level

All of these need to be balanced to keep blood sugar levels under control. If any one is off, blood sugar levels can be, too.

In general, problems controlling blood sugar levels are due to one or more of the following:

• not getting enough insulin or other diabetes medicine
• not following the meal plan (like eating too much on a special occasion without adjusting medicines)
• not getting enough exercise
• illness or stress
• use of certain medicines that can raise blood sugar, like steroids used to treat inflammation

Signs & Symptoms of Hyperglycemia

The symptoms of hyperglycemia are similar to those that happen when someone is diagnosed with diabetes, such as:

• Frequent urination: The kidneys respond to high levels of glucose in the bloodstream by flushing out the extra glucose in urine (pee). A child with diabetes who has hyperglycemia may need to pee more often and in larger volumes.
• Extreme thirst: Kids with hyperglycemia who lose a lot of fluid from urinating often become very thirsty and may drink a lot in an attempt to prevent dehydration.
• Weight loss despite increased appetite: Without enough insulin to help the body use glucose, the body breaks down muscle and stored fat in an attempt to provide fuel to hungry cells.
• Fatigue: Because the body can’t use glucose for energy properly, kids with hyperglycemia may be unusually tired.

p

Checking for High Blood Sugar Levels

As part of the diabetes management plan, you’ll need to check your child’s blood sugar levels multiple times a day with a blood glucose meter. This helps you identify when your child has high blood sugar levels, which don’t always cause symptoms. Someone who isn’t testing regularly might have blood sugar levels high enough to damage the body without even realizing it.

The HbA1c test can show if someone has been having significant hyperglycemia over time, even though the person may not have had obvious symptoms.

If you find that your child is having a lot of high blood sugar levels, the diabetes health care team may suggest changing the diabetes medicines or meal plan to bring the levels back into a healthy range.

In other cases, an equipment issue, like an insulin pump problem or expired insulin, may be the cause. Make sure you contact the diabetes team if your child’s blood sugar levels are often above the target range.

Treating High Blood Sugar Levels

Treating high blood sugar levels means correcting their cause. The diabetes health care team will give you specific advice on how to keep your child’s blood sugar levels in a healthy range. But here are some suggestions for managing some causes of hyperglycemia:

A single high blood sugar reading usually isn’t cause for alarm — it happens to everyone with diabetes from time to time. However, consistently high blood sugar levels need to be addressed.

Page 3

Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)

Insulin lets glucose get into the body’s cells. Without enough insulin, the body can’t use glucose for energy and starts to use fat for fuel. This can happen, for example, when someone skips doses of insulin or when the need for insulin suddenly increases (for example, due to stress or illness) and the doses are not adjusted.

When the body uses fat for energy, chemicals called ketones are released into the blood, causing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Some of the ketones, like extra glucose, exit the body through urine.

But high levels of ketones in the blood can be a problem because they cause the blood to become acidic. Too much acid in the blood throws off the body’s chemical balance.

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a very serious — but completely preventable — condition that can lead to coma or death if it’s not treated quickly. It happens more often in people with type 1 diabetes, but can sometimes happen in people with type 2 diabetes.

Signs & Symptoms of Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis usually don’t start all at once — they usually come on slowly over several hours. Signs and symptoms include:

• fatigue (extreme tiredness)
• excessive thirst/urination
• dry mouth and dehydration

These symptoms are caused by the sustained hyperglycemia (usually lasting several hours) that typically happens before someone develops diabetic ketoacidosis.

If the person isn’t treated, these symptoms can happen:

• abdominal pain
• nausea and/or vomiting
• fruity (acetone) breath odor
• rapid, deep breathing
• confusion
• unconsciousness (“diabetic coma”)

Checking for Diabetic Ketoacidosis

How do you know if your child has diabetic ketoacidosis? The signs and symptoms can mimic or be triggered by other illnesses, like the flu. So, it’s very important to check your child’s blood sugar levels and urine ketones during illness — especially if there are high blood sugar readings — or if your child has symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Because high levels of ketones in the blood cause ketones to appear in the urine, ketones can be checked at home by testing a sample of your child’s urine. If the urine test for ketones is negative, it generally means that symptoms are not due to diabetic ketoacidosis. If the urine test is positive, contact your child’s diabetes health care team. 

Tests done by a lab or hospital can confirm whether a child has diabetic ketoacidosis, if necessary. Some newer blood glucose meters also offer the option of testing blood for ketones. Ask the diabetes health care team if such a meter is a good idea for your child.

p

Treating Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Diabetic ketoacidosis requires immediate medical treatment with intravenous (IV) insulin and fluids and close monitoring in a hospital. Contact the diabetes health care team immediately or seek emergency care if you think your child is having symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis.

All adult family members and your child’s caregivers and school staff should know about the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis in a child with diabetes, and they should know when to call 911.

In addition, all kids and teens with diabetes should wear some sort of medical identification (like a bracelet or necklace) and/or carry medical identification (ID) information at all times. Besides identifying your child as having diabetes, these IDs can provide emergency contact information.

Avoiding Hyperglycemia & Preventing Diabetic Ketoacidosis

The best way to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis is to treat high blood sugar levels appropriately, which means following the diabetes management plan prescribed by the diabetes health care team.

Make sure your child:

• takes insulin and diabetes medicines as prescribed
• follows the meal plan and/or makes appropriate adjustments to diabetes medicines when changes to the meal plan are made
• monitors his or her blood sugar levels regularly and ketone levels when indicated
• follows the instructions and advice of the diabetes health care team and diabetes management plan, which should include instructions for sick days

By regularly monitoring blood sugar levels, you’ll know when your child’s blood sugar is high. If that happens, contact the diabetes health care team for more information and to learn how to help bring your child’s diabetes back under control.

Blood Glucose and Dehydration – A1C and blood sugars

In the past, I assumed that the only association between diabetes and dehydration was that severe hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) would cause dehydration as one of the symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

However, over the years I’ve noticed the occasional unexpected high blood sugar when I was mildly dehydrated due to exercise without consuming enough water.
I figured that was anecdotal and never gave it serious thought as a health issue worth pursuing.

When I did consider the possibility, it seemed logical to me that since diabetics are told to drink water to help bring down high blood glucose, perhaps the absence of hydration would cause blood sugar to rise. Maybe?

Last week summer came to San Diego in one hot wave
We moved to northeast San Diego in April, so this was our first experience of the inland heat in our non-air-conditioned house.

We’ve been sweaty and uncomfortable, especially while home most of the weekend.
During this stint, I noticed my blood sugars were running high despite healthy eating, normal insulin doses, and plenty of activity.
A nagging thought kept occurring to me, “Am I dehydrated?”

I tend to be better about drinking water when I’m at work during the week, sitting at my desk.
I certainly wasn’t drinking enough to maintain hydration during this hot spell.

I got online and goggled, “dehydration and blood sugar” to see if I could locate information to confirm my suspicions.

Oh, wonderful internet!
I found dozens of articles and posts that explained that, in fact, dehydration can contribute to hyperglycemia.
It’s actually pretty straightforward.
Basically, when we’re dehydrated (even mildly) there is less liquid in our blood which means that the concentration of glucose (and other nutrients) is higher.

As the heat and humidity in Southern California has been relentless the past couple weeks, I’m now making a conscious effort to stay hydrated and have seen an improvement in my blood sugar control as a result.
Sometimes the simplest things can be easy to overlook!

Meet Our Writer

Kelsey Bonilla

Kelsey wrote for HealthCentral as a patient expert for Diabetes.

How do I tell if I’m dehydrated?

It’s a message that’s been drummed into us since childhood. Drink water, especially when it’s hot, otherwise you’ll get dehydrated.

But how do you know if you’re dehydrated? Who’s more at risk? And what can you do about it?

What’s dehydration and why does it matter?

When people use the term dehydration, they usually refer to what doctors call “volume depletion” or hypovolaemia.

Volume depletion is a reduction in the volume of water in the blood vessels. But dehydration is quite different and is less common. It’s the loss of water from both blood vessels and the body’s cells.

Doctors are concerned about volume depletion and dehydration because adequate hydration is required for the body to function normally. Water maintains our body temperature and lubricates our joints. Our body’s cells rely on water as does our circulatory, respiratory, gastrointestinal and neurological systems.

Severe cases of volume depletion can lead to shock and collapse. Without resuscitation with fluid, the consequences may be devastating.

Water, water everywhere

A 70kg person is made up of 40L (40kg) is water. Two-thirds of that water is in the cells (intracellular), one-third outside the cells (extracellular).

Outside the cells, 20% of body water is in plasma (around 3L), which together with red bloods cells (2L) gives a total 5L of blood. It’s the movement of water between compartments that maintains each one’s biochemical composition, allowing your cells and body to work normally.

The total body water volume (water in both the blood vessels and the body’s cells) is remarkably constant given the large variation in how much an individual might take in and lose each day.

Water intake is accounted for mostly by how much and what you drink and eat, and the daily variation is regulated by the kidney, which alters your urine output.

The main function of the kidney is to regulate the volume and composition of body fluids within narrow limits by altering output.

When you drink large volumes of fluid, your body can afford to get rid of increased amounts of dilute urine. But when you drink a minimal amount of fluid, your urine is concentrated and you pass only a small volume.

If you’re urinating less often than normal, or urinating small volumes of darker coloured urine, it may be time to drink more water.

Other small losses of water include through stool, sweat and lungs.

So if you have diarrhoea or are exercising in the heat, for instance, you will need to drink more fluids.

As fluid is lost from the extracellular compartment such as in cases of diarrhoea and vomiting or bleeding, you can develop symptoms of volume depletion including:

• thirst, including a dry mouth
• dizziness, particularly when standing due to the low blood pressure (a consequence of volume loss)
• and when very severe, confusion (a consequence of inadequate oxygenation of the brain).

Doctors might also note:

• that it takes longer for your skin to bounce back when pinched (known as reduced skin turgor)
• low blood pressure as a reduction in volume directly affects blood pressure
• an increased heart rate, in an attempt by the body to maintain blood pressure
• reduced weight as fluid makes up two-thirds of body weight. A loss of 1L of fluid will read as a drop in 1kg on the scales.

Blood testing will often reveal a degree of kidney impairment. That’s because the kidneys require a large blood flow to work normally.

In cases of volume depletion and reduction in blood pressure, blood flow to the kidneys is compromised and they go into a state of “shock”. Mostly this is reversible when volume and blood pressure is restored.

As there’s no single test for volume depletion, doctors will make a diagnosis after taking a note of your history, examining you and a combination of blood and urine tests.

Here’s what happened to Tom

I was on call at the hospital recently when, at 9.45pm on a Sunday, I received a call from the emergency department.

Tom, a 78 year old man, had come in by ambulance after neighbours had found him on his bedroom floor. Tom’s cognition was not great at the best of times, and that night he couldn’t tell us how long he had been on the floor.

There were no obvious injuries, his blood pressure was low (100/60mmHg), pulse rate high (98 beats per minute) and his temperature was normal. Blood tests showed he had low sodium salt levels and kidney impairment.

Tom had been in the emergency department for six hours by the time the call came to me; in that time he had not passed urine. It all pointed to volume depletion.

We treated Tom with intravenous fluid. He needed 5L over 48 hours, after which he was passing urine again. His blood pressure was back to normal 140/70mmHg, his kidney function had normalised and his weight was up from 46kg on admission to 50kg.

Tom told us he had fallen while getting up at night. He had been on the floor for most of the next day and had not eaten or drunk anything for hours.

Who’s most at risk and why?

Some groups are more susceptible to volume depletion, including:

• elderly people like Tom, as our total body water reduces with age and the elderly often have a reduced sensation of thirst. Many older people also have other health problems including chronic kidney disease, which may impact the ability to concentrate urine when the volume is depleted
• babies, because they aren’t able to articulate when they’re thirsty. They have a higher metabolic rate than adults meaning they require more fluid
• people with impaired thirst mechanisms such as the elderly or people with certain brain injuries
• people losing large volumes of fluid via the bowel (from diarrhoea or through a colostomy)
• people taking medications that promote water loss, in particular diuretics, often referred to as water tablets.

These vulnerable groups need to be aware of the increased risk of volume depletion, minimise their risk by maintaining fluid levels, recognise the symptoms of volume depletion early, and seek prompt treatment, including going to hospital if necessary.

If you experience the symptoms of volume depletion it’s important to take heed. At home, start with water if you’re thirsty. Once dizziness is present, significant volume loss has ensued and a trip to the doctor is in order. Confusion mandates emergency treatment.

How about physiological dehydration?

Physiological dehydration, which occurs when water is lost from both the blood vessels and from the body’s cells compartment, is distinct from volume depletion. But there are many overlapping symptoms, such as thirst, a drop in blood pressure and when severe, confusion.

Dehydration can happen with prolonged and sustained high blood sugar levels as can occur in someone with diabetes. This is because the high sugar levels in the blood pull water out of the cells in an attempt to lower the levels. High sugar levels also make you pass more urine. So in this instance there is loss of fluid from both the intracellular and extracellular compartments.

So for those with diabetes, monitoring blood sugar levels is important. If the blood sugar is persistently high it’s important to seek medical advice to reduce the level safely and prevent dehydration.

In a nutshell

Water is vitally important to the normal function of the body. Volume depletion can occur during anytime of the year, but people are particularly prone over the summer months. The key is prevention and knowing what the signs and symptoms are. So in summer keep your fluids up; talk to your doctor about any medications that may need adjusting (such as diuretics) and keep an eye out for friends, family and neighbours.

Dehydration can lead to serious complications

Provided by
The Conversation

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Citation:
How do I tell if I’m dehydrated? (2019, January 10)
retrieved 31 October 2021
from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-01-im-dehydrated.html

This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no
part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

90,000 Signs that prompt you in time that you have hidden problems with sugar

Before getting tested, listen to your body
Photo: pixabay

People who are not familiar with diabetes mellitus may not know that disruptions in the endocrine system are fatal to humans.

Blood sugar levels change depending on what you eat, exercise, and other factors.

For healthy people who have not eaten for eight hours or more, the normal sugar level is 70-99 mg / dL (milligrams per deciliter). Within two hours after eating, this figure should not exceed 140 mg / dL.

Here are some signs that your blood sugar is malfunctioning :

• Signs of hypoglycemia, a condition in which your blood sugar is too low, include rapid heartbeat, fatigue, shaking, and numbness in your face when hungry or between meals.

• Hyperglycemia also occurs when sugar levels are high. Symptoms include frequent urination, increased thirst, and headache.

The following factors affect your blood sugar

1. Exercise can lower blood sugar levels for up to 48 hours.
2. Alcohol consumption increases insulin production, causing low blood sugar.
3. Stress hormones such as cortisol can increase sugar levels.
4. Certain medicines can raise blood sugar levels.
5. Eating large amounts of simple carbohydrates can lead to a spike in glucose levels, while protein intake results in a slower rise in blood sugar.
6. Dehydration raises sugar levels.

Sunburn or gum disease can also affect your blood sugar, so see your doctor if you experience this problem.

Earlier, “Kubanskie Novosti” said that the coronavirus is deadly for people with diabetes.

90,000 How diabetes detection depends on the type of activity to which the person is prone

The science department of “Newspapers.Ru “.

Type II diabetes mellitus, also known as non-insulin dependent diabetes, is a metabolic disease associated with a decrease in the sensitivity of tissues to the action of insulin, as a result of which the level of glucose in the blood rises. This leads to dehydration, mineral deficiencies and obesity. Unlike type 1 diabetes, the disease is curable if diet and other doctor’s recommendations are followed.

To diagnose type 2 diabetes, doctors rely on the symptoms of hyperglycemia (increased serum glucose) such as thirst or frequent urination.Also, doctors conduct laboratory tests, during which they measure the level of glucose in the blood of patients before and after meals.

However, there is a certain difficulty in diagnosing the disease. It consists in the fact that two groups of indicators of glucose metabolism, which doctors are guided by, weakly correlate with each other.

Russian biologists Dmitry Davydov from the Research Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences and Malik Nurbekov from Moscow State Pedagogical University found out why this is happening.It turned out that the indicators of glucose metabolism in the body of people with type 2 diabetes are associated with their predisposition to physical work or to mental activity. The study was published in the journal Endocrine Connections , an official publication of the European Endocrinological Society.

Dmitry Davydov, Leading Researcher of the Laboratory of General and Perinatal Neuroimmunopathology, Research Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, told the Science Department: “Doctors make a diagnosis based on the level of glycated hemoglobin and a group of biomarkers, most often represented by blood glucose levels measured on an empty stomach.Explanations of the low correlation between these indicators available in the scientific literature did not satisfy me as a physiologist. In addition, the fascination with genome-wide research (GWAS) in the field of biomedicine to the detriment of the candidate gene method introduced additional confusion in elucidating the reason for the discrepancy between the two indicators of impaired glucose metabolism.

Recently, it has come to the point that in some diabetes recommendations, preference has been given to either one or the other indicator,

because, on the one hand, the cost of tests for these two indicators differs significantly, and on the other hand, the reliability of this or that indicator in the early diagnosis of type II diabetes is also different, according to population studies. “

“Pitfalls” in the diagnosis of type II diabetes led Russian scientists to the idea that there are two completely different pathogenetic mechanisms that underlie this type of diabetes. It is known that some people have more pronounced muscle metabolic activity, which allows them to achieve significant success in sports activities, while other people are more predisposed to mental activities. In both groups of people, the presence of predispositions is associated either with genetic characteristics or with epigenetic processes (that is, with changes in gene expression or cell phenotype that are not associated with changes in DNA sequences).

Researchers have suggested: if the brain, “adapted” to more active work, for a number of reasons (for example, because of the lifestyle and work of a person) remains idle (“idled” brain), then this is a relatively “dormant” state for such the brain leads to a pronounced decrease in the utilization (consumption) of glucose. At the same time, if in people predisposed to active physical activity, the muscle corset becomes inactive (“lazy” muscles) due to the same general reasons, then this leads to a noticeable decrease in the processing of glucose by the muscles.Both processes lead to an increase in the level of unused (unclaimed) glucose. In the article, Russian scientists explain in detail why, in one case, from the point of view of physiology, this disturbance in glucose metabolism should manifest itself in the level of glycated hemoglobin, and in another case, in the level of fasting blood glucose.

The study involved 103 people who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and 60 healthy volunteers. Their blood samples were analyzed for plasma glucose, cholesterol, glycated hemoglobin, and a number of other indicators.Scientists have selected genes whose mutations created conditions for increased glucose uptake either by the brain or muscles.

The researchers received confirmation of their hypothesis: patients with type 2 diabetes, who are prone to active brain activity at the genetic level, have a higher level of glycated hemoglobin – that is, a higher percentage of sugar-containing hemoglobin from all hemoglobin in the blood, without an increase in fasting blood glucose …

At the same time, patients who have a genetic tendency to intense muscle activity have higher blood glucose levels when measured on an empty stomach.

According to Dmitry Davydov and Malik Nurbekov, the results of this study will be tested in the case of other genes that determine or modify the processes of glucose utilization in the brain and in the periphery, with an assessment of epigenetic influences on these mechanisms. However, this study demonstrated that the glycated hemoglobin biomarker and the fasting blood glucose biomarker have their own diagnostic uniqueness.

The results of the study also explain the different sensitivity of people to physical and pharmacological influences to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes.Moreover, recent publications, according to Dmitry Davydov, suggest that

The discovered mechanisms also determine different types of complications in type II diabetes (either impairments in volitional, emotional and cognitive spheres, or manifestations of metabolic disorders in the periphery).

Scientists are confident that knowledge about these mechanisms will allow targeted prevention of diabetes in individuals with different genotypes and select methods for correcting impaired glucose metabolism from the standpoint of personalized medicine that is gaining momentum.

90,000 This is what happens to your body when you consume sugar!

The insidiousness of sweets is that when using them, it is very difficult to observe the measure. Sugar is addictive and contributes to the development of diabetes.

Your brain responds to sugar like cocaine

It’s hard to believe, but the effect of sugar on the brain is very similar to that of cocaine. As in the case of cocaine, sugar promotes the release of large amounts of dopamine and serotonin – the “hormones of happiness.”Thus, you become addicted and want to eat even more sweets.

The pancreas comes into play

As soon as glucose enters the bloodstream, the body sends signals to the pancreas, which produces insulin. This is a hormone that serves as a kind of key for the cells of the body. It binds to receptors on the surface of cells, which allows the latter to absorb glucose.

Once the insulin has done its job, your blood sugar begins to drop sharply and you may be craving sweets again.

Sugar causes fatigue and intense thirst

Sharp jumps in blood sugar levels affect your mood and performance. After 20-40 minutes after consuming sugar, you may feel a lack of energy. And if you are fond of sweets, then you can often feel thirsty. This is because excess blood sugar is excreted in the urine. In this case, each glucose molecule is associated with several water molecules, so dehydration occurs.

Your body weight increases

If you got on the “sugar hook”, it is difficult for you to refuse it, then over time you will begin to notice that you have begun to gain weight.Sweets are very high in calories. One dark chocolate bar contains a whopping 600 kcal! Simple sugars are quickly absorbed by the body and converted into fats. In addition, cravings for sweets increase hunger, which creates another powerful factor in obesity.

As you know, part of the glucose from the blood is deposited in the liver in the form of glycogen. However, the liver can only store a small fraction of the glucose. Excess blood sugar is involved in other biochemical processes and turns into fat, which is deposited in the organs.

If you are addicted to sweets, you have an increased risk of developing diabetes

Why is this happening? The insidiousness of sweets is that they contribute to weight gain, which in turn leads to insulin resistance. With obesity, cells in the body do not respond well to insulin. Insulin may be sufficient, but it does not bind to cell receptors. Thus, the cells do not absorb sugar, which is why its concentration in the blood increases.This is how type 2 diabetes develops.

You overload the heart

It is much more difficult for your heart to pump sugar-laden blood. In addition, the load is on the vessels and nerve cells. That is why people with diabetes have disorders of the cardiovascular and nervous systems.

Your teeth are at risk

You probably know that sugar addiction leads to caries and other dental diseases.This is because the bacteria living in your mouth are very fond of sugar. As soon as you give them another portion of glucose, they begin to multiply rapidly, releasing toxic waste products that destroy tooth enamel.

Arkady Galanin

The article is taken from the Internet resource http://ru.likar.info/zdorovoe_pitanie_i_dieti/article-75622-vot-chto-proishodit-s-tvoim-organizmom-kogda-tyi-upotreblyaesh-sahar/

The endocrinologist named the first signs of type 2 diabetes

https: // rsport.ria.ru/20210224/diabet-1598836511.html

The endocrinologist named the first signs of type 2 diabetes

The endocrinologist named the first signs of type 2 diabetes – RIA Novosti Sport, 24.02.2021

The endocrinologist named the first signs of type 2 diabetes

Doctor-endocrinologist Maria Prelipsean told how to recognize the first signs of type 2 diabetes and minimize the risk of stroke and disease development … RIA Novosti Sport, 24.02.2021

2021-02-24T19: 35

2021-02-24T19: 35

2021-02-24T19: 35

health

health

diabetes

/ html / head / meta [@ name = ‘ og: title ‘] / @ content

/ html / head / meta [@ name =’ og: description ‘] / @ content

https://cdnn21.img.ria.ru/images/148130/92/1481309248_0 : 308: 6016: 3692_1920x0_80_0_0_a02ed84fed0deb7b22147b71c6e14f26.jpg

MOSCOW, February 24 – RIA Novosti. Endocrinologist Maria Prelipsean told how to recognize the first signs of type 2 diabetes and minimize the risk of stroke, heart, kidney and eye diseases.Medical News Today writes about it. Frequent urination. When blood sugar is high, the kidneys try to flush out the excess sugar by filtering it out of the blood. This causes frequent urination, especially at night. Intense thirst. Frequent urination, which is necessary to lower blood sugar levels, leads to the loss of extra water in the body. Over time, this can cause dehydration and lead to more thirst than usual. Constant hunger is also an early sign of type 2 diabetes.As well as the feeling of extreme fatigue, which can arise as a result of insufficient amount of sugar entering the cells from the bloodstream. Dark spots on the skin that form on the neck, armpits, or groin area can also indicate a condition. Excess blood sugar damages tiny blood vessels in the eyes, causing blurred vision. If the problem is ignored, then vision will deteriorate over time, the specialist notes. Slow healing of wounds and cuts.When blood sugar levels are high, nerves and blood vessels are damaged and blood circulation is impaired. As a result, wounds can take a long time to heal – from a couple of weeks to several months.

https://rsport.ria.ru/20210224/vitaminy-1598696804.html

https://rsport.ria.ru/20210221/dieta-1598485568.html

RIA Novosti Sport

internet-group @ rian .ru

7 495 645-6601

FSUE MIA “Russia Today”

https: // xn – c1acbl2abdlkab1og.xn – p1ai / awards /

2021

RIA Novosti Sport

[email protected]

7 495 645-6601

FSUE MIA “Russia Today”

https: // xn – c1acbl2abdlkab1og. xn – p1ai / awards /

News

ru-RU

https://rsport.ria.ru/docs/about/copyright.html

https: //xn--c1acbl2abdlkab1og.xn--p1ai/

RIA Novosti Sport

[email protected]

7 495 645-6601

FSUE MIA “Russia Today”

https: // xn – c1acbl2abdlkab1og.xn – p1ai / awards /

https://cdnn21.img.ria.ru/images/148130/92/1481309248_342-0:5675:4000_1920x0_80_0_0_0587beb7910036829214afce548d5903.jpg

RIA Novosti Sport internet-group

7 495 645-6601

FSUE MIA “Russia Today”

https: //xn--c1acbl2abdlkab1og.xn--p1ai/awards/

RIA Novosti Sport

[email protected]

7 495 645 -6601

FSUE MIA “Russia Today”

https: // xn – c1acbl2abdlkab1og.xn – p1ai / awards /

health, diabetes

MOSCOW, 24 Feb – RIA Novosti. Endocrinologist Maria Prelipsean told how to recognize the first signs of type 2 diabetes and minimize the risk of stroke, heart, kidney and eye diseases. Writes about this Medical News Today.

Frequent urination . When blood sugar is high, the kidneys try to flush out the excess sugar by filtering it out of the blood. This causes frequent urination, especially at night.

Intense thirst . Frequent urination, which is necessary to lower blood sugar levels, leads to the loss of extra water in the body. Over time, this can cause dehydration and lead to more thirst than usual.

February 24, 07:00 HLO What foods have the most vitamin D? Nutritionist answers

Constant hunger is also an early sign of type 2 diabetes. As well as feeling , extreme tiredness , which can occur as a result of insufficient amount of sugar entering the cells from the bloodstream. Dark spots on the skin that form on the neck, armpits, or groin area may also indicate a disorder.

Blurred vision . Excess blood sugar damages tiny blood vessels in the eyes, causing blurred vision. If the problem is ignored, then over time, vision will deteriorate even more, the specialist notes.

Slow healing of wounds and cuts . When blood sugar levels are high, nerves and blood vessels are damaged and blood circulation is impaired.As a result, wounds can take a long time to heal – from a couple of weeks to several months.

February 21, 16:05 How to lose weight after 40 years: advice to women from a nutritionist

BUZ UR “Kambara RB MH UR”

DIABETES is a condition where blood sugar (glucose) levels are too high.

Normally, in a normal state, the body produces a hormone called insulin (produced in the pancreas), it is responsible for removing sugar from the blood that we absorb with food.This sugar is used by the body to maintain energy balance. In diabetes, there is either a lack of insulin, or the hormone does not cope with its function. In this case, too much sugar remains in the blood, and it is not used by cells for energy production.

The result is the following:

1. There is not enough energy in the body to function properly. Therefore, many people with diabetes complain of fatigue or feeling unwell;
2. When blood glucose levels are elevated, some of the glucose is excreted through the kidneys in large volumes of urine, causing dehydration, thirst and weight loss.

There are two types of diabetes:

Type 1

In this disease, the pancreas stops producing insulin. The cause of this disease is still unknown, type 1 diabetes usually manifests itself at a young age (under 20). Since the body itself does not produce insulin, people in this state need insulin injections for normal organ function.

Type 2

This condition usually affects people over the age of 40 (although in some cases it can occur at a younger age).In this disease, the pancreas produces insulin, but in an insufficient amount for the body. Type 2 diabetes affects about 85% of all people with diabetes. There are different methods of its treatment, the choice of therapy depends on many factors and may be different, depending on the characteristics of the patient.

First symptoms of a severe drop in blood sugar:

Shivering, chills. Sweating.Hunger. Sudden mood swings (irritability). Headache. Pallor. Strong or rapid heartbeat. Blurred eyes. Sudden tiredness. Tingling sensation around the mouth.

What to do:

Accept: glucose tablets; lumps of sugar; candy or chocolate; sugar-sweetened drinks.

The condition of your legs is very important!

You have type 2 diabetes, but did you know that it is very important to take good care of your feet?

People with diabetes very often have problems with the legs, in particular, these are skin infections that take a long time to heal.In most cases, these problems can be avoided with proper foot care and the use of good shoes.

A number of simple rules must be followed:

• Every evening before going to bed, in good light, examine the legs, especially the plantar surface of the feet and interdigital spaces;
• it is important to pay attention to whether there are any areas of damage on the skin, redness or discoloration of the skin, the formation of blisters and calluses, ingrowth of the nail into soft tissues;
• each time, putting on shoes, whether indoor or outdoor, – examine its insides, feel the inside of the shoe with your hand – if there are any irregularities, foreign objects;
• do not go barefoot;
• Wear socks or stockings in size so that they do not get confused when walking;
• before lowering your feet into a basin of water, check its temperature by lowering your elbow or hand;
• if your feet are cold, wear woolen socks, insulated slippers with backs;
• Use an extra blanket while sleeping, but do not use a heating pad or stove to warm your feet.

Rest and Exercise:

• When sitting, keep your legs raised;
• while supporting your legs, rotate your feet and move your toes;
• Try not to sit for a long time – get up and walk around from time to time;
• Walk.

Diet – is the most important part of your treatment and you should try to follow the rules of a healthy diet:

• Eat regularly – morning, afternoon and evening, and try to avoid mid-snacking;
• Eat more foods containing fiber, wholemeal bread, fruits, vegetables;
• Do not add sugar to food or drinks, avoid foods high in sugar;
• Eat less fried and fatty foods;
• Try to achieve the optimal body weight for you.

Nutrition Tips:

• If you are hungry between meals, eat raw vegetables or fruits, or a slice of wholemeal bread;
• If you need to fry, use a healthier, refined oil such as sunflower oil instead of fat or butter;
• Do not get carried away with special diabetic foods – they can be high in fat, and the sweeteners they contain can have a laxative effect;
• Remember, alcohol contains extra calories.

Diabetes mellitus is dangerous for its complications. The diagnosis is often made by chance during routine blood sugar testing along with nonspecific symptoms (itching, thirst, large amounts of urine, dry skin, weight loss, general weakness). And at the time of diagnosis, late complications are already revealed.

Therefore, early detection of the disease is the most important stage in the fight against the disease. Timely prescribed treatment and correction of the patient’s lifestyle will ensure a quality life for the patient and help avoid formidable complications.

At present, in the Kambara region, we are conducting medical examination and monitoring of the health of the residents of the region, where many diseases, primarily diabetes mellitus, are detected early.

We ask the residents of the district not to ignore these events in order to take care of their health in time.

Test:

If you answered “YES” to at least 3 questions, you need to urgently consult an endocrinologist, take a blood test to determine the level of glucose in the blood.

Doctor – endocrinologist

BUZ UR “Kambarskaya RB MZ UR”

Nogovitsyna I.I.

Diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is one of the incurable diseases, which ranks third in terms of mortality and causes serious complications.Today, unfortunately, even children face this disease. And every year the number of children with diabetes is growing rapidly. The most common among the child population is type I diabetes mellitus. Type II is rare in children.

Type I diabetes is an autoimmune disease. I.e. the baby’s immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that are responsible for the production of insulin. The carbohydrate food we eat is broken down in the body into glucose, which must enter the cells to give them energy.It is insulin that contributes to this transition. Without it, our cells suffer from energy starvation, and all unused glucose turns into substances that are toxic to our body. In type 1 diabetes, the body produces insufficient insulin or no insulin at all. A lack of insulin results in high blood glucose levels — hyperglycemia.

Possible causes of diabetes mellitus:

1 Genes. It is not diabetes itself that is inherited, but a predisposition to it. Therefore, it is not at all necessary that the child should get sick, but the parental task is to regularly check the level of sugar in his blood. You should be especially careful if older children already have diabetes.

2 Viral infection. Certain viral infections (eg measles, epidparotitis, chickenpox, epidemic hepatitis, or influenza) activate the production of antibodies against pancreatic cells.These antibodies destroy the cells that synthesize insulin.

3 Obesity . All overweight children should be screened for the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, which, although rarely, is diagnosed in children.

4 Diseases of the pancreas . Pancreatitis, acetonemic syndrome and other diseases of the pancreas cause damage to its cells.

5 Stress . They can also give an impetus to the onset of diabetes in children.Therefore, there must be a moderate emotional load and the child’s rest regime must be thought out.

Symptoms of diabetes mellitus .

Constant thirst .

Children who have type 1 diabetes and have not yet started treatment are constantly thirsty. Because when sugar is high, the body pulls water out of cells and tissues to dilute the glucose in the blood. The child may drink unusually large amounts of pure water, tea, or sugary drinks.

Frequent urge to urinate .

The fluid that a diabetic drinks in excess must be removed from the body. Therefore, he will go to the toilet more often than usual. He may need to go to the bathroom from class several times during the day. This will grab the attention of teachers and classmates. If the child began to pee at night, and before his bed was dry, this is an alarming sign.

Unusual weight loss .

The body has lost the ability to use glucose as an energy source.Therefore, it burns its fats and muscles. Instead of growing and gaining weight, the child, on the contrary, loses weight and weakens. Losing weight is usually sudden and quick.

Chronic fatigue .

A child may feel constant lethargy, weakness, because due to a lack of insulin, he cannot convert glucose into energy. Tissues and internal organs suffer from a lack of fuel, send alarms, and this causes chronic fatigue.

Severe hunger .

The body cannot normally assimilate food and be satisfied. Therefore, the patient is hungry all the time, despite the fact that he eats a lot. However, it also happens the other way around – the appetite decreases. This is a symptom of diabetic ketoacidosis, an acute, life-threatening complication.

Visual impairment .

Increased blood sugar causes dehydration of tissues, including the lens of the eye. This can manifest as fog in the eyes or other visual impairments. However, the baby is unlikely to pay attention to this.Because he does not yet know how to distinguish normal vision from impaired vision, especially if he cannot read.

Fungal infections .

Girls with type 1 diabetes may develop thrush. Fungal infections in infants cause severe diaper rash, which only go away when blood sugar is lowered to normal.

Diabetic ketoacidosis .

Acute complication that is life-threatening.Its symptoms are nausea, abdominal pain, rapid intermittent breathing, the smell of acetone from the mouth (the smell can be similar to the smell of nail polish remover, rotting apples, pear candies), fatigue. If you do not take action, the diabetic will lose consciousness and die, and this can happen quickly. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a medical emergency.

If you pay attention to warning signs in time, measure blood sugar and take action, you can avoid formidable complications and hospitalization in the intensive care unit.

See your doctor as soon as you notice at least some of the symptoms listed above.

Diabetes in children is a serious illness, but not a disaster. The child and his family can lead a normal life. All disease control activities take no more than 10-15 minutes per day. It can be well controlled and complications are guaranteed to be prevented.

Diabetes mellitus in questions and answers GBUZ VFD Kopeysk

Diabetes mellitus in questions and answers

Diabetes mellitus is a disease caused by a complete or relative lack of insulin (a hormone of the pancreas), as a result of which blood sugar levels rise and energy metabolism disorders occur, sometimes very significant.

Diabetes mellitus is a group of diseases that manifest themselves in a similar way, but have different causes. Type 1 diabetes mellitus occurs in childhood or young age, proceeds violently, is characterized by a strong feeling of thirst, carries the danger of a significant violation of energy metabolism, is treated with insulin. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is more common in old age, is often accompanied by obesity, its symptoms are not as obvious as in type 1 diabetes, treatment can be started with diet or taking antidiabetic drugs – in the form of pills.Diabetes mellitus can also be caused by other diseases (the so-called specific types of diabetes), for example, diseases of the pancreas, it can be caused by treatment with corticosteroids.

• How is diabetes mellitus manifested?

It is manifested by fatigue, thirst, excretion of large amounts of urine, weight loss, inflammation of the bladder and kidneys, furunculosis can be observed. If diabetes is not treated for a long time, it can lead to a complete disruption of the basic functions of the human body, dehydration, loss of consciousness and even death.Type 1 diabetes mellitus is characterized by a sharp manifestation and development of all symptoms of the disease. Type 2 diabetes mellitus develops more slowly, its symptoms are less pronounced, they may not appear outwardly at all until late complications of diabetes appear.

• Can diabetes mellitus go on without symptoms?

Diabetes mellitus type 2 at the onset of the disease often does not appear at all and can be detected during a routine examination by an increase in blood glucose and the appearance of sugar in urine.

• Is diabetes mellitus hereditary?

Yes, both types of diabetes mellitus, especially type 2 diabetes, can be inherited in a certain way, more precisely, a predisposition to this disease is transmitted, and it depends on external influences whether a particular person will develop diabetes or not.

• Can drugs or other illnesses cause diabetes?

This type of diabetes is called secondary diabetes mellitus (or specific type of diabetes).The development of this diabetes can be triggered by certain medications, such as corticosteroids used in the treatment of rheumatic diseases, asthma, a number of nonspecific intestinal diseases, skin diseases and other autoimmune diseases. Diabetes mellitus can appear as a symptom of a pancreatic disease, with some endocrine diseases, severe infectious diseases. Some diseases, more often of a viral nature, prolonged stress can provoke diabetes or a worsening of the course of existing diabetes.

• What is impaired glucose tolerance?

Previously, this condition was called “latent” (dormant, asymptomatic) diabetes mellitus. It is found only in laboratory analysis, with the so-called glucose tolerance test, when the patient drinks a glucose solution (75 g in 100 ml of water) and the level of glucose in the blood after 2 hours reveals how fully his body is able to assimilate this glucose. This test shows the ability of the pancreas to produce the required amount of insulin per meal.In case of violation of glucose tolerance, medical supervision, adherence to a diet, and sufficient physical activity are necessary.

• When is diabetes mellitus diagnosed?

If the patient has symptoms typical of diabetes mellitus (thirst, urinary excretion, weight loss), a blood sugar test is sufficient. If its level in capillary blood on an empty stomach is more than 6.1 mmol / l (two-fold determination), this is diabetes mellitus. If the patient does not have symptoms typical of diabetes, but there is only a suspicion of diabetes mellitus, a glucose tolerance test is performed, the principle of which is described above.According to the body’s reaction to this load (the glycemic level after 2 hours is more than 11.1 mmol / l), it is determined whether it is really about diabetes mellitus or only about impaired glucose tolerance (the level of glycemia after 2 hours is more than 7.8 mmol / l) …

• Is it possible to plan a pregnancy with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus?

Yes. However, before pregnancy (about 1 year) and throughout pregnancy, it is necessary to strictly control the compensation of the disease and adequately treat diabetes.During pregnancy, it is necessary to inject insulin, tablets are not used so as not to harm the fetus and not endanger its life. To assess the compensation of the disease, it is necessary to control the level of glycated hemoglobin once every 3 months.

• Is it possible to go in for sports, work with diabetes mellitus?

With diabetes mellitus, you can go in for sports, do physical work. Physical education and increased physical activity are usually desirable.This increases the sensitivity of the tissues to insulin and helps maintain an optimal weight. With heavy loads, it is necessary to consult a doctor, prescribe a diet and doses of insulin or antihyperglycemic drugs, taking into account the load so as not to cause hypoglycemia (a strong decrease in sugar levels). With regard to work, the patient should choose a type of activity with the ability to maintain a correct diet, with uniform physical activity throughout the week. For patients with diabetes and the danger of hypoglycemia, professions where the patient could harm himself or others are unsuitable – work at heights, associated with high voltage currents, driving a car, construction machines, etc.p.

• How is diabetes treated?

The main task of treatment is to achieve a normal blood sugar level and maintain this level throughout life. This is necessary to prevent complications of diabetes mellitus. Treatment is based on changing the optimal exercise and diet. It is necessary to achieve weight loss in excess of it. If physical activity and diet are not enough to achieve normal sugar levels, antidiabetic drugs (pills or insulin) must be added.In type 1 diabetes, insulin treatment is necessary from the beginning of the diagnosis, as it is associated with primary damage to the cells of the pancreas.

• What should be the diet for diabetes?

Diabetes diet is not only about eliminating sugar, sweets and sugary foods from food. Each patient should have an individually designed diet with a certain amount of carbohydrates, fats, proteins and calories so that blood sugar levels are normal, fat metabolism is not disturbed, the patient has an ideal weight and maintains it.Simple sugars should be eliminated from the diet, which are quickly absorbed, causing a sharp rise in blood sugar. The total amount of carbohydrates should be 55-60%, with a predominance of coarse fiber, fats – 25-30% (with a predominance of vegetable fats), proteins – 15-20%.

• Do I need to follow a diet if I take pills or insulin?

Yes, it is necessary! Diet (good nutrition) is necessary for every patient, even if he must take pills or insulin.

• What if I don’t diet?

If the diet is not followed, there is a risk of poor compensation with the risk of complications. If you do not follow a diet and increase the dose of drugs or insulin doses, the patient may gain weight, worsen the sensitivity of cells to insulin, and treat diabetes will fall into a vicious circle. The only way to avoid these complications is to adjust your diet in such a way as to normalize and maintain weight.

• Why may some patients take pills while others need insulin right away?

It depends on the type of diabetes.In patients with type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not produce insulin and therefore insulin must be used from the onset of the disease. In patients with type 2 diabetes, the lack of insulin is only relative, often at the initial stage of the disease, it is enough to follow a diet and take medications that improve the body’s sensitivity to insulin or increase its secretion by the cells of the pancreas. If pill treatment stops working, insulin should be started.

• How many times a day do you need to “inject” insulin?

When treating diabetes, we strive to match blood sugar levels with those of healthy people.Different schemes of insulin administration are used, which depend on the type of diabetes and the course of the disease. Often in young patients and patients with complications, intensive insulin therapy regimens are used, that is, the patient injects insulin 3-5 times a day. In elderly patients, the number of insulin injections is reduced to avoid hypoglycemia and depends on the course of the disease.

• How to evaluate the quality of diabetes care?

A well-compensated patient should feel like a healthy person, not experiencing strong thirst or hunger, his body weight is maintained at an ideal level, there is no loss of consciousness due to hypoglycemia.How well diabetes is compensated for can be determined with blood and urine sugar tests. When properly treated, urine is sugar-free. Blood sugar should be monitored at home throughout the day for proper diet and dose adjustment. Once every 3 months, it is necessary to determine the level of glycated hemoglobin by which one can judge the compensation of diabetes during this period, which is currently the main criterion for compensating for carbohydrate metabolism.

• What is hypoglycemia?

Hypoglycemia is a condition caused by low blood sugar.This occurs as a result of a mismatch between the intake of sugar from food and the consumption of sugar associated with physical activity or the intake of an inadequate dose of antidiabetic drugs. Hypoglycemia often occurs when the patient falls asleep and forgets to eat, when the insulin dose is not low enough due to poor appetite, or as a result of increased physical activity. With mild hypoglycemia, the patient experiences hunger, with more severe – sweating, weakness, with severe – loss of consciousness may occur

• How to avoid hypoglycemia and how to treat it?

Hypoglycemia can be avoided by following the correct diet.With the anticipated increase in load, it is necessary to increase the consumption of carbohydrates with food, maybe even reduce the dose of insulin. Hypoglycemia should be treated at the initial stage – give the patient sweet tea, cookies, candy. In severe condition, it becomes necessary to inject a glucose solution into a vein or intramuscularly injecting glucagon. The drug glucagon is desirable for patients with a tendency to hypoglycemia, since it can be administered by the patient or a relative.

• How often should I see an endocrinologist?

It depends on the type of diabetes mellitus, the method of treatment and the state of compensation.Patients with type 2 diabetes with good compensation, once every 3 months is enough, patients with complications of diabetes and an intensive insulin regimen need monthly monitoring. But a trained patient can help himself to compensate for diabetes by doing his own blood test during the day using a glucometer (a device for measuring blood sugar).

• What are the complications of diabetes?

Complications can be early and late, with damage to small vessels (microangiopathy) or large vessels (macroangiopathy).Early complications include the following: ketoacidosis (with poor compensation, ketone bodies are formed – products of fat metabolism, which, together with high blood sugar levels, can lead to dysfunction of the main biological systems of the body with the threat of loss of consciousness and death), hypoglycemia

Late complications occur with long-term, poorly compensated diabetes. The eyes (changes in the retina with the danger of blindness), the kidneys (renal failure may develop with the need for hemodialysis), the vessels of the lower extremities are affected (which can lead to gangrene with the need for amputation), the gastrointestinal tract, the cardiovascular system and the nervous system.The doctor’s task is to acquaint the patient with possible complications and explain how to prevent them.

• How to avoid complications of diabetes?

First of all, long-term compensation of diabetes is necessary (the level of glycated hemoglobin is below 7%), which depends on adherence to a properly established diet, correct treatment and adequate physical activity. Regular monitoring of blood sugar is required. To prevent vascular complications, in addition, it is necessary to regularly monitor and maintain a normal blood pressure level (below 130/80 mm.Hq). the level of triglycerides (below 1.7 mmol / l), blood cholesterol (below 4.8 mmol / l). Taking into account the special sensitivity of the feet to damage and the danger of the so-called “diabetic foot”, constant care of the feet is needed, which consists in wearing comfortable shoes, treating small wounds and hygienic care of the skin of the feet.

• What should a diabetic patient carry with him outside the home and on the road?

Each patient must have a certificate with passport data and a telephone number, with clear instructions on the drugs used, a supply of antidiabetic drugs or insulin.Do not forget about a few lumps of sugar in your pocket in case of hypoglycemia, often a glucometer is needed.

• What diseases or medications make the condition worse?

If a patient develops another disease, two situations may arise:

1. The disease will worsen the state of diabetes compensation and an increase in sugar levels will occur, which will necessitate an increase in the dose of medication or insulin.

2. The patient does not eat during illness, and hypoglycemia may occur, then it is necessary to double-check the blood sugar level and possibly reduce the dose of the antihyperglycemic drug.For serious illnesses, the patient should be admitted to a hospital and diabetes compensation adjusted quickly. Therefore, in case of infectious diseases with a high temperature, before planned operations, in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract with a lack of appetite and vomiting, medical supervision is necessary, and if necessary, the patient must be admitted to a hospital.

• Self-management of diabetes.

At present, the treatment of the patient and the achievement of normal blood sugar levels include mandatory self-monitoring of blood sugar at home.This requires a meter with test strips. Glucometer use is taught in diabetes schools.

• Do I need to have a blood test every time I visit a doctor, maybe a urine test is enough?

There is not enough urinalysis data, a blood test for glycemia or glycated hemoglobin will better determine the state of compensation and will allow, if necessary, to change the treatment regimen.

At present, diabetes mellitus is no longer a disease that would deprive patients of the opportunity to live, work and play sports normally.