People with diabetes are a fairly large group of the population of our planet, about 200 million people. Among them, the vast majority suffer from type 2 diabetes mellitus (more than 90%), and slightly less than 10% occur in patients with other forms of diabetes – type 1 diabetes mellitus , gestational diabetes, and others. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the incidence of diabetes. Medical statistics say: every 10 years the number of patients with this disease doubles. At the same time, doctors remind that diabetes mellitus significantly reduces the patient’s life expectancy.
In this article, we will answer the most popular questions about patients with diabetes.
- How many live with diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a serious disease, and even with the most thorough treatment, the life expectancy since the debut of the disease worldwide is about 40 years. In our country, it is almost impossible to meet a 50-year-old person with type 1 diabetes. The reason is that the disease gradually progresses, and sooner or later complications arise from the kidneys, blood vessels, nerves, eyes. Also, a patient with type 1 diabetes can die from a diabetic or hypoglycemic coma. The life expectancy of type 2 diabetes will depend on how well the patient fulfills the recommendations of the doctors and what kind of concomitant diseases he has. Most often, patients with type 2 diabetes suffer from hypertension, coronary heart disease, and obesity.
- Can people with diabetes do sports?
Not just they can, but they are obliged. Indeed, overweight provokes insulin resistance, and it contributes to the progression of obesity. Therefore, sports are necessary for type 1 and type 2 diabetics. However, the load regime must be selected individually. They should also have some kind of carbohydrate product (sweetie, pie, sugar cube) with them to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia after exercise.
- Can people with diabetes have children?
Modern medicine can help pregnant women with both types of diabetes. They can bear and give birth to a healthy baby, provided that all the recommendations of doctors are carefully observed and glucose levels are constantly monitored. The fact is that the pancreas of the fetus will synthesize insulin, which enters the mother’s blood and partially compensates for its deficiency. This fact must be taken into account when selecting doses of drugs for the treatment of diabetes.
- Are people with diabetes ordinary or seriously ill?
The answer to this question will depend primarily on the patient himself. Doctors will help you choose the right treatment and give recommendations on the diet. But how much a person will be able to fulfill them, how he will eat, what way of life to lead and whether he will maintain an optimistic mood, depends only on himself.