Factors such as the advancement of civilization, fast-paced lifestyle, poor diet, and lack of physical activity have contributed to diabetes being recognized as a modern civilization disease. What symptoms does diabetes cause? Who is most at risk for developing this disease? How can leeches help in treating diabetes? We answer!
Diabetes – what is this disease?
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease resulting from impaired secretion or action of insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. Due to these abnormalities, people with diabetes experience elevated blood glucose levels. Some associate diabetes with an elderly disease, but in reality, it affects increasingly younger people, even children.
Types of diabetes
The most common classification includes three basic types of diabetes. Each type has different causes and progresses differently. The types of diabetes include:
- Type 1 diabetes – usually diagnosed in young people: children, adolescents, and adults under the age of 30. It has an autoimmune basis. The immune system destroys the pancreas cells that produce insulin for unknown reasons. Symptoms start to appear when the body begins to lack insulin. Those with type 1 diabetes account for about 10-15% of all cases of the disease.
- Type 2 diabetes – the most widespread and most commonly diagnosed type of diabetes. The direct cause is insulin resistance, meaning low tissue sensitivity to insulin. In patients with type 2 diabetes, the pancreas secrete increasing amounts of this hormone. It is estimated that this type of diabetes affects between 80 to 90% of people with diabetes.
- Gestational diabetes – as the name suggests, occurs during pregnancy. It is related to hormonal changes and subsides after the birth of the child. The occurrence of gestational diabetes increases the risk of developing actual diabetes in the future.
Diabetes – risk factors
The way we live can increase the risk of developing diabetes. Below are the risk factors for developing type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes
Factors contributing to the development of type 1 diabetes include:
- Autoimmune factors – development of autoimmune diseases leading to damage to pancreatic cells,
- Genetic factors – genetic predisposition due to the occurrence of the disease in a family member or members,
- Environmental factors, such as diet and physical activity.
Type 2 diabetes
Factors contributing to the development of type 2 diabetes include:
- Obesity,
- Advanced age,
- History of gestational diabetes,
- Family history of diabetes,
- Glucose metabolism disorders,
- Lack of physical activity,
- Prediabetic condition,
- Poor diet,
- Coexisting diseases.
How do we recognize diabetes?
Prophylactic screenings offer a chance for early detection of diabetes or a prediabetic state. The symptoms of diabetes are varied and nonspecific, making them easy to attribute to other ailments or to overlook. Therefore, observing your body and reacting at the right time is essential.
Early symptoms of diabetes
Early symptoms of diabetes include:
- Increased thirst,
- Chronic fatigue and sleepiness,
- Weight loss,
- Frequent infections,
- Skin problems.
Late symptoms of diabetes
Untreated diabetes can lead to severe complications such as:
- Heart disease,
- Circulatory system diseases,
- Deterioration of vision (diabetic retinopathy),
- Symptoms from the nervous system, such as muscle weakness or tingling in the limbs (diabetic neuropathy),
- Impaired wound healing,
- Diabetic foot.
Leeches in diabetes treatment – action
One of the commonly used methods to treat diabetes is leech therapy. Leeches attached to the skin release a series of medicinal substances into the bloodstream. The following leech compounds are crucial in diabetes therapy:
- Hirudin – acts as an anticoagulant,
- Histamine – dilates blood vessels,
- Chloromycetin – antibiotic,
- Hyaluronidase – a very potent antibiotic,
- Dopamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine – regulate the flow of electrical impulses in nerve cells,
- Bdelins – act anti-inflammatory and analgesic, reduce swelling, accelerate wound healing,
- Hementin – breaks down clots,
- Destabilase – regulates blood sugar levels,
- Hirustasin – acts as an anticoagulant,
- Apyrase – reduces blood viscosity,
- Eglin – acts anti-inflammatory.
In summary, leech therapy supports the circulatory system in diabetes, improving blood flow to the fingers and toes. The application of leeches has a beneficial effect on the body in diabetic foot. The larvae clean the wound from necrosis and exudates. Additionally, they improve the patency of veins and arteries.