Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes

🔴 Symptoms

Excessive thirst (polydipsia)
Frequent urination (polyuria)
Unexplained weight loss
Severe fatigue
Excessive hunger (polyphagia)
Blurred vision
Frequent infections (skin, mouth, bladder)
In children: sudden bedwetting (enuresis)

🔴 Treatment

Daily insulin injections or insulin pump
Regular blood glucose monitoring
Balanced and adapted diet
Regular physical activity (considering insulin doses)
Patient therapeutic education
Regular medical follow-up to prevent complications (kidneys, eyes, nerves)

📌 Summary

Definition: Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the pancreas no longer produces insulin, a hormone essential for regulating blood sugar levels. It requires lifelong insulin therapy.
Affected population: Mainly children, adolescents, and young adults. However, it can appear at any age.
Common causes: Autoimmune reaction against the pancreatic beta cells, genetic predisposition, environmental factors (viral infections, early diet, oxidative stress).

🔴 Prevention

There is currently no known way to prevent type 1 diabetes
Early monitoring of at-risk children (family history) can allow for faster diagnosis
Participation in research programs for at-risk families
Avoiding delays in diagnosis to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis

Type 2 diabetes

🔴 Symptoms

Excessive thirst (polydipsia)
Frequent urination (polyuria)
Persistent fatigue
Blurred vision
Frequent infections (skin, gums, bladder)
Slow healing of wounds
Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
Weight gain or difficulty losing weight

🔴 Treatment

Adoption of a healthy and balanced diet
Regular physical activity
Oral antidiabetic medications (e.g., metformin)
Insulin injections if necessary
Regular blood sugar monitoring
Monitoring for complications (eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart)
Therapeutic patient education

📌 Summary

Definition: Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by insulin resistance and insufficient insulin production by the pancreas. It leads to a persistent elevation of blood sugar levels.
Affected population: Adults over 40 years old, although an increasing number of adolescents are also affected, especially in cases of obesity.
Common causes: Overweight, sedentary lifestyle, unbalanced diet, family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, advanced age.

🔴 Prevention

Maintain a healthy weight
Exercise regularly (at least 30 minutes per day)
Eat a balanced diet and reduce consumption of sugar and saturated fats
Avoid tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption
Monitor blood sugar levels for people at risk (overweight, family history)
Regular screening after age 40 or in case of risk factors

Diabetes complications (kidney failure, blindness, amputations

🔴 Symptoms

Progressive loss of vision or blindness (diabetic retinopathy)
Swelling of the legs, fatigue, or foamy urine (signs of kidney damage)
Numbness, tingling, or pain in the feet and hands (peripheral neuropathy)
Frequent infections and wounds that do not heal, especially on the feet
Appearance of ulcers or gangrene that may lead to amputations
High blood pressure worsened by kidney complications

🔴 Treatment

Strict blood sugar control with medication or insulin
Regular consultations with ophthalmologists, nephrologists, and neurologists
Use of specific treatments for retinopathy (laser therapy, injections)
Medications to protect the kidneys (ACE inhibitors, etc.)
Monitoring and care of the feet to prevent amputations
In case of advanced complications: dialysis or kidney transplant, eye surgery, amputation

📌 Summary

Definition: Diabetes complications result from poor long-term blood sugar control. They can affect several vital organs, leading notably to kidney failure, vision loss (diabetic retinopathy), and amputations related to foot infections.
Affected population: People with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, especially those with poorly controlled diabetes or lacking regular medical follow-up.
Common causes: Chronic hyperglycemia, lack of regular medical monitoring, neglect of treatments, inadequate diet, smoking, associated high blood pressure.

🔴 Prevention

Maintain blood sugar within recommended target ranges
Regular medical follow-up (eyes, kidneys, feet)
Monitor blood pressure and cholesterol levels
Healthy lifestyle: balanced diet, physical activity, quitting smoking
Wear appropriate footwear and inspect feet daily
Strict adherence to prescribed treatments

Severe hypoglycemia

🔴 Symptoms

Sudden and excessive sweating
Palpitations, trembling
Intense feeling of hunger
Dizziness, weakness
Confusion, speech or behavioral disturbances
Loss of consciousness or seizures in severe cases
Paleness, feelings of anxiety or panic

🔴 Treatment

Immediately administer fast-acting sugar (fruit juice, glucose tablet, etc.) if the person is conscious
If unconscious: glucagon injection or call emergency services
Rest after correction and check blood sugar again 15 minutes later
Adjust diabetes treatment if hypoglycemia occurs frequently
Educate the patient and their close ones to recognize signs and act quickly

📌 Summary

Definition: Severe hypoglycemia refers to a significant drop in blood glucose levels, causing neurological symptoms such as loss of consciousness, seizures, or even coma. It is a medical emergency.
Affected population: Mainly people with diabetes treated with insulin or certain antidiabetic medications. It can also occur in non-diabetic individuals in rare cases (prolonged fasting, alcoholism, tumors).
Common causes: Excessive insulin dose, skipped meals, intense physical activity without dietary adjustment, alcohol consumption, drug interactions.

🔴 Prevention

Eat regularly and do not skip meals
Adjust insulin or medication doses according to physical activity
Frequent blood sugar monitoring, especially when routines change
Always keep fast-acting sugar within reach
Inform close ones about the signs and how to respond
Avoid drinking alcohol on an empty stomach