Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

The number of people with type 2 diabetes mellitus has been increasing for many years. It is estimated that around eight million people in Germany suffer from diabetes. In addition to hereditary factors, our current lifestyle plays a major role in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Today, for example, we exercise much less and eat more and more unhealthily than we did just a few decades ago.

Elevated blood glucose levels do not hurt, which is why they are often discovered late. If blood glucose levels are highly elevated over a longer period of time, there is an increased thirst and urge to urinate. In addition, those affected report fatigue, exhaustion and visual disturbances. Inflammation in the bladder and genital area as well as itching also occur more frequently in these cases. However, some sufferers also report low mood or depression, while others report increased inner agitation and increased excitability. So these mental changes also often go hand in hand with diabetes.

If blood glucose levels are not properly adjusted, it can cause damage to other organs in the long term. Here, the blood vessels (diabetic angiopathy) and nerves (diabetic neuropathy) are the first structures to mention. Diabetics whose nerve pathways are damaged therefore often have a disturbed sense of pain. For example, you can no longer perceive injuries to the skin correctly. Numbness and tingling (sensitivity disorders) in the hands and feet can also be a result of the damaged nerve structures. The circulatory disorders particularly affect the heart muscle, the brain, the retina of the eye (diabetic retinopathy) or the kidneys (diabetic nephropathy) as well as the legs, especially the feet (diabetic foot syndrome). The development of diabetic foot syndrome is often triggered by an initially minor injury to the foot. As a result of the weakened immune system in diabetics, these small wounds can become infected more quickly and spread to become large ulcers.

How is type 2 diabetes mellitus diagnosed?

Elevated blood glucose levels are usually detected by the general practitioner during routine check-ups. Another possibility is the determination of the long-term blood glucose value (HBA1c). Since the above-mentioned secondary diseases can occur in the context of diabetes, special attention is paid to these organ systems during diagnostics. This is done primarily within the framework of a physical clinical examination, but also partly by means of instrumental diagnostics.

How is type 2 diabetes mellitus treated?

In type 2 diabetes mellitus, optimising the diet (in the form of a Mediterranean diet, for example) and increasing exercise are the most important therapeutic agents with which those affected can actively contribute to improving their disease. This is also true if drug therapy is required.

The further goal of diabetes therapy is to achieve the best possible blood sugar control in order to reduce the risk of long-term diabetes consequences for the eyes, kidneys, heart, nerves and blood vessels. In addition to insulin therapy, there are proven medicines (oral anti-diabetics) available for this purpose, to which a whole series of new medicines have been added in recent years. This allows treatment according to individual needs and patient wishes.

In addition to blood glucose control, our integrative therapy approach places particular emphasis on including the psychological symptoms (such as depression, inner agitation) that are frequently encountered in type 2 diabetes in the therapy. If necessary, we work closely with the Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapeutic Medicine at our facility. In this way, affected persons with acceptance problems and accompanying mental illnesses can be supported by multiple expert professionals.

Anthroposophic medicine also aims to strengthen self-efficacy, i.e. to empower patients to actively contribute to the improvement and manageability of the disease themselves. We would like to support those affected in shaping their everyday life with a balanced diet and adequate exercise and in developing prospects for a life with diabetes.