What is diabetes mellitus?

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) estimates that more than 245 million people worldwide suffer from this disease. In the next 20 years, the number of people with diabetes mellitus is expected to rise to 380 million. The body does not produce enough insulin or can no longer use it correctly. Insulin is a hormone of the pancreas and is responsible for converting sugar, starch, and other dietary substances into energy.

Signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus

The illness often goes undetected, as many symptoms appear harmless. Recent studies have shown that the early detection of symptoms, careful monitoring (for example using a management system), and treatment can reduce the likelihood of secondary illnesses related to diabetes. Some patients do not notice any symptoms. If you have any questions or if you discover any symptoms in yourself or family members, you should consult a medical professional.

• Frequent desire to urinate
• Very strong thirst
• Extreme hunger
• Unusual weight loss
• Increased tiredness
• Irritability
• Blurry vision
• Feeling of numbness in the feet
• Wounds which do not heal

Types of diabetes:

• Autoimmune disease.
• Previously known as „juvenile diabetes”.
• This type of diabetes accounts for 5-10 per cent of all diabetes cases.
• It generally occurs in children, adolescents, and young adults.
• More than 700,000 children under the age of 15 suffer from this illness worldwide
• Precise monitoring of blood glucose levels is absolutely essential.
• Patients are dependent on insulin supply, as otherwise ketosis or ketoacidosis will develop, which may lead to coma or death.

• Known as „non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus” or „adult-onset diabetes”.
• The body cannot produce sufficient insulin or cannot use it efficiently.
• Generally occurs from the age of 40 onwards, but is now occurring ever earlier, in some cases even in children.
• Type 2 diabetes can go undetected for many years before diagnosis.
• Undetected, this form of diabetes can cause serious complications in the long term.
It can lead to organ failure, blindness, or loss of limbs. Impaired glucose tolerance (prediabetes)
• Impaired glucose tolerance is a preliminary stage of type 2 diabetes
• It can be the result of a combination of several factors, including reduced insulin secretion, insulin resistance, or an imbalance of other metabolic hormones

• Similar to type 2 diabetes.
• Also occurs due to a mixture of insufficient insulin secretion and sensitivity.
• Occurs during pregnancy and may either improve or worsen after birth.
• Occurs in two to five per cent of all pregnancies.
• Without treatment, serious complications may occur: macrosomia (high birth weight), deformities, and congenital heart disease.
• Careful monitoring by doctors during pregnancy is therefore essential.

Secondary illnesses

Patients have an increased risk of a range of serious, in some cases life-threatening, complications. Possible complications include kidney failure, blindness, amputations, heart disease, stroke, and nerve damage.

Helpful advice

Patients can get to grips better with their diabetes mellitus and have the best possible control of their state of health by performing daily measurements and making a record of blood glucose levels and other relevant information. It is scientifically proven that continuous blood glucose monitoring has a positive effect on the general health of patients. Annual check-ups are helpful for making sound decisions about diet, medication, and sporting activities together with specialists. GlucoTel can help simplify the necessary daily recording and documentation of measured values and record entries for patients. The GlucoTel diabetes management system means there is no longer any need for manual recording in hand-written notebooks and, at the same time, provides authorized specialists with clear and comprehensive documentation of measured values.