The normal concentration of glucose in a healthy person is less than 6 mmol per liter. If this level is exceeded, it is necessary to consult a specialist, emphasizes Karymshakova.
According to the doctor, the most common types are type 1 and type 2 diabetes. In type 1, symptoms appear acutely, and ignoring blood sugar levels can lead to loss of consciousness. Type 2 is characterized by a more insidious course of the disease, making its consequences more serious.
There are many classifications of diabetes mellitus; however, more than 90% of cases are type 2 diabetes. In such patients, symptoms are often mild or completely unnoticed.
Common symptoms of diabetes mellitus include:
- increased thirst;
- dry mouth;
- frequent urges to urinate;
- weight changes (loss or gain);
- worsening of vision;
- tingling and a sensation of pins and needles in the limbs;
- skin itching;
- women may also experience vaginal itching.
The specialist noted that many patients do not seek help immediately, which significantly reduces the detectability of diabetes. In cases of type 2 diabetes, patients often receive treatment from other specialists before seeing an endocrinologist. For example, worsening vision may lead to a visit to an ophthalmologist, who then refers the patient to an endocrinologist, where diabetes is diagnosed. Therefore, Karymshakova recommends regularly checking blood glucose levels before the first symptoms appear.
