The doctor told about the features of type 2 diabetes

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) need to monitor several key indicators at once, since the disease affects not one organ, but the entire body as a whole. On November 14, Elena Anufrieva, a cardiologist, Candidate of medical Sciences, head of the group of regional medical advisers of Servier JSC, told Izvestia about this.

According to her, approximately 5 million people have been diagnosed with DM2 in Russia today, and the number of patients continues to grow. The disease develops gradually, proceeds latently for a long time and, in the absence of comprehensive control, leads to damage to the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, organs of vision and nervous system.

"It's important to remember that T2DM is not just about "high sugar." This is a condition with complex disorders that affect the functioning of the entire body. Therefore, it is very important to monitor several parameters at once, which together form the so—called metabolic syndrome and can affect the course of the disease," the doctor noted.

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According to Anufrieva, it is especially important to control blood pressure. The simultaneous presence of hypertension and type 2 diabetes dramatically increases the likelihood of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. Maintaining blood pressure at about 130/80 mmHg helps protect blood vessels and reduces stress on the heart. An equally important factor is body weight: even a moderate weight loss of 5-10% improves tissue sensitivity to insulin and helps stabilize glycemia.

The expert noted that the lipid level is another key parameter that determines the rate of development of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. The doctor sets the target values of "bad" cholesterol individually, based on the patient's overall cardiovascular risk. At the same time, it is necessary to monitor the level of uric acid: its increase is associated not only with gout, but also with an increased risk of cardiovascular complications. In patients with DM2, a value of 300 mmol/l or higher already requires medical attention.

Regular glycemic control remains a central element of disease management. It is important for patients to keep their sugar levels close to target values and avoid sudden fluctuations. For most patients, the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) target below 7% is considered optimal.

Anufrieva stressed that it is important for each patient, together with the attending physician, to determine individual targets for all parameters of the metabolic syndrome and strictly adhere to the chosen strategy. According to her, the patient's conscious participation in disease management is an investment in health, allowing them to remain active, have a high quality of life and reduce the risk of severe complications in the future.

On September 25, scientists at Sechenov University developed drugs that change their shape inside the body. These "smart" drugs can transform from a liquid into a gel or a solid framework, depending on body conditions such as temperature or pH. This allows you to treat diseases more effectively, because the drug is activated only in the right place, for example, in the eyes, teeth or nasal mucosa.

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