Diabetes as a public health problem

Diabetes mellitus (šećerna bolest) je kronična bolest sa višestrukim uzrocima obilježena prije svega stalno povišenim vrijednostima šećera u krvi te poremećajima metabolizma masti, bjelančevina i ugljikohidrata. Vjeruje se da je šećerna bolest stara koliko i čovjek, odnosno da se za dijabetes zna od najstarijih vremena. Tijekom trajanja dijabetesa kronična hiperglikemija izaziva oštećenje, disfunkciju i popuštanje funkcije različitih organa, a posebno oka, bubraga, srca i krvnih žila. Diabetes mellitus je uzrok brojnih komplikacija koje dovode do invaliditeta i do povećanog mortaliteta. Šećerna bolest je poremećaj u lučenju hormona inzulina. Postoje dva glavna tipa dijabetesa: tip 1 i tip 2. Šećerna bolest tipa 1 pojavljuje se najčešće u djece i u mlađih osoba, ali se može pojaviti i u odraslih osoba. Oko 10% svih bolesnika koji boluju od šećerne bolesti otpada na tip 1. Ovaj tip šećerne bolesti pojavljuje se u genetski sklonih osoba, kao rezultat interakcije između nasljedne sklonosti i čimbenika okoline koji mogu aktivirati mehanizme koji dovode do progresivnog gubitka beta-stanica. Šećerna bolest tipa 2 danas je najčešća metabolička bolest u svijetu. Više od 90% bolesnika sa šećernom bolešću boluje od tipa 2. Šećerna bolest tipa 2 nastaje kao posljedica interakcije između genetske sklonosti i čimbenika okoline. Neki od važnih čimbenika u nastanku ove bolesti su: nasljedna sklonost, rezistencija na inzulin u mišićnom tkivu (masnom tkivu i u jetri), poremećaj lučenja inzulina. Šećerna bolest četvrti je vodeći globalni uzrok smrti, oboljeli žive od 5 do 10 godina kraće nego osobe bez šećerne bolesti, a sve to najvećim dijelom zbog kardiovaskularnih komplikacija. Osnovu liječenja šećerne bolesti predstavlja pravilna ishrana, redovna fizička aktinovst, praćenje liječničkih savjeta te redovno kontroliranje razine glukoze u krvi.Diabetes mellitus, often referred to just as Diabetes is a chronic disease triggered by impaired insulin secretion and variable degrees of peripheral insulin resistance leading to hyperglycaemia. Diabetes manifests itself through various symptoms of which main ones are constant high blood sugar levels and impairment in metabolising fats, proteins and carbohydrates. During the course of illness chronic hyperglycaemia causes deterioration and dysfunction of multiple organs, mainly: eyes, kidneys, heart and blood vessels. Diabetes mellitus is a cause of multiple complications that can lead to permanent disability and increased mortality rates. There are two main types of Diabetes Type 1 and Type 2. Diabetes mellitus Type 1 is mostly diagnosed amongst children and younger population; however it can also develop amongst adults. This type of Diabetes is most common amongst people who have genetic predisposition. It is widely believed that mix of hereditary and environment factors can trigger mechanisms that lead to progressive loss of pancreatic β-cells which lead to insulin deficiency. According to studies, roughly 10% of all people affected by Diabetes are those of type 1. Diabetes mellitus Type 2 is the most common metabolic disease in the world. In the case of diabetes type 2, insulin production is inadequate as patients have developed insulin resistance. More than 90% of patients with diagnosed Diabetes are the ones with type 2. Similarly like type 1 it is believed that illness is caused by combination of genetic and environmental (lifestyle) factors. Today diabetes mellitus is named as the 4th most common cause of death mainly due to cardiovascular complications. Life expectancy of people diagnosed with diabetes is shorter 5-10 years compared to unaffected people. As there is no known cure for Diabetes, management of illness is based on combination of medications, insulin shots, specific diet, daily blood level glucose control and physical activity