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Diabetes: Distinguishing fact from fiction!

Type 2 diabetes is defined as a long-term excess of glucose concentration in the blood. In this case, we’re talking about a chronic disease.

Did you know?

Hyperglycemia, which corresponds to the situation of a diabetic patient, is caused by reduced sensitivity of the cells to insulin, the hormone produced by the pancreas, whose role is to help glucose penetrate the cells.

In response to the increased demand for insulin resulting from this insensitivity, the insulin-secreting cells of the pancreas compensate by producing more insulin until they are exhausted. Insulin production then becomes insufficient, and glucose accumulates irretrievably in the blood.

Over time, specific insulin receptors can be affected, resulting in decreased glycemic control and a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes.1

It’s all a question of age! At puberty, men are more prone to develop diabetes; whereas, after menopause, women are the first ones at risk. 2 One reason for this is that women’s life expectancy is longer than men’s, but it’s also due to the fact that women are more likely to have high sugar levels at the end of a meal, whereas men are more likely to have high levels when they’re fasting! Yet most glucose tests are done on an empty stomach. It’s also worth noting that the distribution of fatty tissue varies between men and women. In the case of gynoid obesity, excess fat is mainly found in the thighs and buttocks, commonly referred to as “saddlebags”. This type of obesity mainly affects women before the menopause.
When it comes to android obesity, excess fat is found around the belly, known as abdominal obesity. This type of obesity mainly affects men. In fact, 80% of type 2 diabetics are obese, and most of them have an android distribution.3

Excess weight is a significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Being overweight, generally linked to a diet too rich in fats and sugars, can be a contributing factor to the development of diabetes. Furthermore, obese young adults are four times more likely to develop diabetes later in life.4

This is rarely the case in the early stages of type 2 diabetes! In fact, it’s often referred to as a “silent disease” as patients are often unaware of their condition until they get diagnosed during a routine blood test.

Nevertheless, the following symptoms are among the most common:

  • Thirst
  • More frequent urination
  • Fatigue
  • Decreased weight and increased appetite
  • Vision problems
  • Itchy extremities and genitals
  • Slower wound healing
  • More frequent infections.5

Excess sugar in the blood can damage capillaries, the small blood vessels in the retina. Weakened, capillary walls are less and less watertight, causing retinal vessels to burst, a condition known as diabetic retinopathy. The retina is no longer sufficiently oxygenated, and the resulting lesions multiply and spread until they reach the macula, the area of the retina responsible for vision. As a result, the patient’s eyesight deteriorates, and in some cases, he or she loses all visual acuity.

Estimates suggest that diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes affecting almost half of all type 2 diabetic patients.6

As a chronic disease, it is by definition incurable. Nevertheless, it can be very well controlled. Careful management of blood sugar levels can stabilize or even reduce the progression of the disease. This involves a healthy diet, physical exercise, and good adherence to treatment.

People with diabetes have a greater risk of developing arterial complications, such as angina or myocardial infarction. This is partly due to the presence of atherosclerotic plaque deposits (mainly cholesterol) in the coronary arteries, which impede blood flow and, in some cases, even block it.

In addition, hypertension is estimated to be at least twice as prevalent in diabetic patients. 7 Hypertension is the leading cause of death among diabetics. 8 Likewise, as hypertensive patients usually have insulin resistance, they are more likely to develop diabetes than normotensive people. 7

Hypertension is the leading cause of death among diabetics. 8

Diabetes is a condition characterized by excessive blood sugar: hyperglycemia. It is diagnosed when fasting blood glucose levels are equal to or greater than1.26 g/l or 7 mmol/l twice in a row, eight hours apart.

It is also deemed to exist if a person presents symptoms of diabetes (e.g. weight loss or polyuria), combined with a blood glucose level equal to or greater than 2 g/l at any time of the day.9

Genetic inheritance plays an important role in the chances of developing diabetes. However, this is by no means a hard and fast rule. Estimates suggest that 60% of the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes is due to genetic inheritance and 40% to environmental factors.  And if one of the parents has diabetes, the patient’s child has a 30% chance of developing it too. This rate rises to 50% if both parents are diabetic.10

Balance is everything. No food is prohibited per se, but it is strongly recommended to limit consumption of foods with a hyperglycemic effect (i.e. ingredients absorbed too quickly by the body), such as white bread, pastries, well-cooked pasta, sugar, soft drinks, alcohol, and processed foods.

Diabetes, especially when poorly managed, can be the culprit behind skin dryness. This is due to dehydration caused by the elimination of excess sugar through the urine. Dry skin in turn can lead to itchy skin. Diabetes is also linked to blood circulation disorders, which can similarly cause itching, especially on the legs and feet.

There are certain physical conditions that can trigger the development of diabetes on a temporary basis. This is the case, for example, with gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Diabetes can also occur in people living with certain illnesses, such as Cushing’s syndrome, hyperthyroidism or certain viral infections. Once treated, diabetes often disappears.

Some medications, such as corticosteroids, can also increase the risk of diabetes, either temporarily or permanently.

#ACTNOWFORDIABETES

Historically committed to the treatment of type 2 diabetes, Servier launched an awareness campaign in 2020 entitled #ACTNOWFORDIABETES.

The challenges are considerable: Raising awareness of the common signs and symptoms of diabetes, as well as sharing advice on how to live with diabetes on a daily basis.

For this 4th edition of the campaign, Servier has chosen the theme: #KeepMoving

The aim? To motivate patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and Servier employees alike to adopt a healthier lifestyle in the war on diabetes.
As part of the campaign, everyone is invited to engage in regular exercise, through individual and group sessions, from November 11 to 17.     

Find out more about diabetes in our article

Find out more about diabetes in our article

[1] Barbieri M, Rizzo MR, Manzella D, et al. Glucose regulation and oxidative stress in healthy centenarians. Diabetes and Altered Glucose Metabolism with Aging – PMC (nih.gov) (consulté en octobre 2024)
Or Diabetes in the elderly – PMC (nih.gov) (consulté en octobre 2024)
[2] Campesi I., Franconi F., Seghieri G., Meloni M. Sex-gender-related therapeutic approaches for cardiovascular complications associated with diabetes. Influence of Gender in Diabetes Mellitus and Its Complication – PMC (nih.gov) (consulté en octobre 2024)
[3] Hommes, Femmes égaux face au diabète? | Diabète 66 (https://www.diabete66.fr/ – consulté en octobre 2024)
[4] Body mass index and incident type 1 and type 2 diabetes in children and young adults: a retrospective cohort study. Abbasi A, Juszczyk D, van Jaarsveld CH, Gulliford MC (The Role of Childhood Obesity in Early-Onset Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Scoping Review – PMC (nih.gov) (consulté en octobre 2024)
[5] https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/symptoms-causes (consulté en octobre 2024)
[6] Rétinopathie Diabétique | Diabète symptômes dans les yeux (federationdesdiabetiques.org) (consulté en octobre 2024)
[7] Diabetes, Hypertension, and Cardiovascular Disease: Clinical Insights and Vascular Mechanisms – PMC (nih.gov) (consulté en octobre 2024)
[8] Hypertension Artérielle | Hypertension : symptômes (federationdesdiabetiques.org) (consulté en octobre 2024)
[9] Qu’est-ce que le diabète ? | ameli.fr | Assuré (consulté en octobre 2024)
[10] [Diabète et Hérédité] | [dépistage] (federationdesdiabetiques.org) (consulté en octobre 2024)