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Approx. 500,000 people in Austria know that they are diabetics. About as many people have diabetes without knowing it.
Diabetes results from disorders in the production and/or efficiency of the insulin hormone. For this reason, the cells of the body are no longer able to store the sugar it has produced or taken in. The result is a lack of energy, tiredness and performance slumps, a strong thirst, an increased need to urinate, inexplicable weight loss, a tendency towards infections, wounds that heal slowly, cramps in the calves, impaired vision, itchiness, and an acetone smell to the breath.
We distinguish between two types of diabetes mellitus. Type 1 diabetes results from a lack of insulin as a result of the autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells. The incidence rate is highest in children between 11 and 13 years. Type 1 diabetes is therefore also referred to as juvenile diabetes.
In Type 2 diabetes, the cells of the body no longer fully react to insulin. This type of diabetes usually affects persons older than 40, and is therefore also referred to as adult onset diabetes. 90% of all diabetics suffer from Type 2 diabetes, which is often associated with excess weight, high blood pressure and lipometabolism disorders, also referred to as the Metabolic Syndrome.
In the initial treatment of diabetes mellitus, patients are usually anxious to avoid the symptoms of the condition. In the long run, the goal is to maintain a high quality of life and to prevent follow-on diseases. An important basis of effective diabetes therapy is a regular lifestyle. The first point of call for improving the situation should be the patient’s GP, as he will be able to suggest medical solutions.
Prim. Dr. Ewald Binter is Head of the Department for Internal Medicine at the Private Clinic Althofen.
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