Diabetes mellitus is a diseased characterised by a high level of blood sugar as a consequence of impaired insulin secretion or efficacy. Insulin is a hormone that enables blood sugar-glucose- to enter into cells. If the level of glucose increases, for example following the intake of food, the pancreas secretes more insulin that then decreases glucose level. In the European Union, approximately 7.5% of adults between the ages of 20 and 79 suffer from diabetes. In the Czech Republic, this disease afflicts approximately 6.8% of men and 7.6% of women. There are fifty five thousand new cases annually.
We distinguish two types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes – juvenile diabetes (onset in childhood or youth) otherwise known as insulin-dependent diabetes, with a decreased secretion of insulin.
Type 2 diabetes – adult diabetes, otherwise known as non-insulin dependent diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus
GenScan analyses only type 2 diabetes. It is the most widespread type of diabetes that affects 90% of diabetic patients. In this type of disease, the number of insulin receptors on the surface of cells is decreased, which is why tissues are incapable of utilising insulin sufficiently. This leads to an increase in blood glucose levels. Inferior sensitivity to insulin is denoted as insulin resistance. The body attempts to overcome this resistance by increasing pancreatic secretion of insulin into the blood. At first, the increased level of insulin is sufficient to maintain normal glucose concentrations. Diabetes appears when the cells of the pancreas are no longer capable of meeting the high demands for insulin. This type of diabetes is associated with a number of chronic diseases, e.g. changes involving the skin, mucosa, eyes; a propensity to infections; vascular disorders that lead to disturbance of blood flow to the extremities and subsequent diseases of the cardiovascular system (stroke, myocardial infarction, hypertension).
Symptoms
Increased blood glucose levels lead to its secretion in the urine. Water is excreted into the urine along with glucose and this leads to frequent urination, decreased hydration and a feeling of thirst. The patient has to drink a lot, loses weight, is tired, may have nausea, is more susceptible to infections- the patient suffers from urinary tract infection, skin infection, women have frequent vaginal inflammation. Oscillation of blood glucose levels may lead to blurred vision. Extremely high levels of glucose may lead to loss of consciousness.
Causes
Under normal circumstances, blood glucose levels are strictly controlled by insulin, which is secreted by the pancreas. The role of insulin is to decrease blood glucose. As soon as blood glucose levels increase- for example following the ingestion of food- the pancreas reacts by secreting insulin that decreases the level of glucose. In patients with diabetes, the lack of insulin or its insufficient production lead to so-called hyperglycaemia (increased blood glucose level).
Prevention
Lifestyle that includes weight loss and maintenance of weight at the required level thanks to an appropriate diet and increased physical activity plays an important role in the prevention of the onset of type 2 diabetes itself. It is suitable to avoid animal fats, give preference to vegetables and fruits, restrict fried foods (French fries, fast-food…) and excessive consumption of sweets, to prefer dark bread, and to undertake an adequate amount of physical exercise.
Secondary prevention signifies the early diagnosis of the disease and its optimal treatment with the aim of preventing a number of diabetic organ complications (changes affecting the retina, vascular quality, the nerves; changes in blood perfusion…). According to estimates, 40 to 50 % of patients could avoid diabetes by following a suitable lifestyle.
Treatment
Type 2 diabetes is in most cases associated with obesity. The basic therapeutic measure in this case is weight reduction. When weight is decreased sufficiently, the symptoms of diabetes usually recede, blood glucose levels fall as does blood pressure, and last but not least blood lipid levels including cholesterol decrease. This is why in patients with type 2 diabetes great stress is placed on diet. The objective of the diet is to decrease food energy values so that weight is reduced. Carbohydrates and fats should be restricted, while intake of fibres should be increased, especially in the form of vegetables, a practically unlimited amount of which can be consumed. Fruit is also suitable, but in view of its sugar content its amount should be calculated. Fish or poultry should represent the substantial proportion of meat. Milk fat in the form of cream, high-fat cheese and other diary products is unsuitable. Smoked or cured meats also have a high fat content. The amount of proteins in the diet should also not be too high, as this could overload the kidneys. A diabetic diet is not only a therapeutic measure but also a preventive one. Recognition of all the connections between diet and disease is a basic insight every diabetic should recognise.
How can GenScan reveal the risk of type 2 diabetes?
GenScan genetic analysis studies the polymorphism of genes coding proteins that play a role in glucose metabolism. The physician thus acquires information regarding possible disorders of glucose metabolism and explains to the client his/her individual risk and suitable preventive measures.