Which risk factors promote the metabolic disease and how it is treated
Lifestyle in particular plays a role in type 2 diabetes. (Image source: ERGO Group)
Too much food, including lots of sugar, and a lack of exercise: These typical features of our modern lifestyle can cause type 2 diabetes mellitus – diabetes for short – which is spreading rapidly in Germany. It begins gradually and therefore often remains undetected for a long time. Solveig Haw, doctor and health expert at DKV, explains which symptoms can indicate the disease, which risk factors promote it and which treatment options are available.
What is diabetes – and what distinguishes type 1 from type 2?
The term diabetes mellitus describes metabolic diseases that lead to elevated blood sugar levels. In total, around 8.5 million people are affected in this country. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are the most common. “In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas produces too little or no insulin because it is attacked by its own immune system,” explains Solveig Haw, doctor and health expert at DKV. So it is an autoimmune disease. It often begins abruptly and at a younger age. “In people with type 2 diabetes, the pancreas still produces insulin, but the secretion of the hormone becomes less and less due to the pancreas becoming “tired” due to long phases of overproduction, and over time the receptors have developed greater and greater resistance to insulin.” says Haw. More and more children and young people are now affected by this variant, which was previously considered “adult-onset diabetes”.
Risk factors for type 2 diabetes
More than 90 percent of diabetes patients suffer from type 2 – and the trend is rising. The causes are diverse and have not yet been fully researched. But there are some risk factors that can make disease more likely. This includes, for example, being overweight. “More and more Germans have too much on their plate and don’t move enough – especially children and young people,” said the DKV health expert. “This greatly increases the risk of diabetes.” Other factors that play a role include hereditary predisposition, an unhealthy diet high in fat and sugar, smoking, high blood pressure, stress, elevated liver values or certain medications.
First signs and symptoms
The tricky thing: Type 2 diabetes begins gradually and therefore often remains undetected for a long time. “Typical symptoms such as extreme thirst, increased urge to urinate, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, nausea, abdominal pain, dry skin, muscle cramps or worsening vision usually only become apparent years later, when the disease is already well advanced,” explains Haw. “That’s what makes diabetes so dangerous.” The chronically elevated blood sugar attacks the inner walls of the blood vessels, which can lead to clots and deposits. If left untreated, it damages blood vessels and nerves and increases the risk of heart attacks or strokes. Other possible consequential damages include loss of vision due to retinal damage, a diabetic foot due to impaired wound healing or kidney damage due to increased excretion of water. It is therefore important to pay attention to the first signs. “If you constantly feel tired and exhausted, are very thirsty, often suffer from infections or have impaired wound healing, you should consult a doctor to be on the safe side,” recommends the DKV health expert.
Diagnosis by measuring blood sugar levels
Since casual blood sugar, which is measured independently of food intake, is unreliable, diabetes is diagnosed by measuring fasting blood sugar. “If the fasting blood sugar level is above 125 milligrams per deciliter, it is very likely that you have type 2 diabetes,” says Haw. To further confirm the diagnosis, the HbA1c value is determined, which shows the average blood sugar level over the last eight to ten weeks.
Lifestyle changes can make a big difference
Since in most cases an unhealthy lifestyle is the cause of type 2 diabetes, for the majority of those affected, small changes in everyday life can be enough to lower blood sugar levels and stabilize metabolism. “A healthy lifestyle includes, above all, a balanced and conscious diet as well as regular exercise,” explains the DKV expert. “By improving your lifestyle, it is often even possible to reverse insulin resistance so that blood sugar levels return to normal.” However, in some cases, treatment with medication such as tablets or insulin injections is unavoidable. “Once you become ill, you have to keep an eye on your metabolism throughout your life,” adds Haw.
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Further advice topics can be found at www.ergo.com/ratgeber. Further information on health insurance can be found at www.dkv.de
If you are unsure about your symptoms, consult a doctor.
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Image source: ERGO Group
About DKV
For over 95 years, DKV has been a leading force in healthcare with its needs-based and innovative products. As a specialist, she offers private and statutory health insurance comprehensive health and nursing care insurance coverage as well as health services. Organizing high-quality medical care is also one of DKV’s core competencies. In 2022, the company generated premium income of EUR 5.1 billion.
As a specialist in health insurance, DKV is part of ERGO and therefore the parent company Munich Re, one of the world‘s largest reinsurers and risk carriers.
More at www.dkv.com
Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based on current assumptions and forecasts made by the management of DKV Deutsche Krankenversicherung. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause actual developments, in particular the results, financial position and business of our company, to differ materially from the forward-looking statements made here. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.
The above content and health-related statements are made to the best of our knowledge, but are not legally binding and in particular do not constitute any claims against the company.
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