RECOGNISE DIABETES ON TIME: Russian endocrinologist describes first symptoms of disease!

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Russian endocrinologist Anastasia Artemyeva uncovers for Sputnik what causes diabetes and how we can recognise it.

How can we find out if someone is suffering from type 2 diabetes? 

- It is possible to know this based on the symptoms typical for high blood sugar levels: weakness, fatique, a dry mouth and increased thirst, frequent urination, skin and mucous membrane irritation and recurrent infections. 

Is the early detection of this disease possible? 

- Prediabetes is characterised by a subtle increase in blood sugar levels and there are no signs of the disease, as it is only detectable through lab analysis. Biochemical analyses check the blood sugar levels, hemoglobin levels and the patient also does the glucose tolerance test. The testing is conducted at least once every three years, unrelated to the patient's age, whenever you have confirmed the existence of at least one risk factor.  Checking the blood sugar levels is recommended for people above the age of 45 with a normal body mass index, even without any diabetes risk factors. 

In the event that they are diagnosed, they need to check their blood sugar levels once a year. 

How long can type 2 diabetes remain undiagnosed? 

- In the majority of cases, the disease can be asymptomatic for a very long time and it can often remain undiagnosed due to a lack of visible signs. The asymptomatic period can last for years, in some cases even decades, and this is the danger of type 2 diabetes.  By the time these patients get diagnosed, more than a half of them already has one or even several symptoms. 

What are the dangers of diabetes? 

- Diabetes can cause eyesight, lung and nervous system problems. Diabetes can cause vision loss, kidney problems, the sensation of numbness in one's hands and feet and foot ulcers. In the event that diabetes is not diagnosed on time, the risk of having a heart attack or a stroke is significantly increased.  In rare cases, pateints can even lapse into a diabetic coma.