Impaired glucose tolerance is a fairly common problem. That is why many people are interested in additional information about what constitutes such a state. What are the causes of violations? What symptoms are accompanied by pathology? What diagnostic and treatment methods does modern medicine offer?
What constitutes such a violation?
What is Impaired Glucose Tolerance? In this condition, a person has an increase in blood glucose levels. The amount of sugar is higher than normal, but at the same time lower than that at which patients are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Thus, the violation of tolerance is one of the risk factors. The results of recent scientific studies have shown that about a third of patients eventuallydiabetes develops. However, if certain rules are observed and well-chosen drug treatment, the metabolism returns to normal.
Main causes of glucose tolerance
Not in all cases, doctors can determine why a patient has developed a similar disease. Nevertheless, it was possible to find out the main causes of impaired glucose tolerance:
- First of all, it is worth mentioning the genetic predisposition that occurs in many cases. If one of your close relatives has diabetes, the likelihood of developing such a condition increases significantly.
- In some patients, the so-called insulin resistance is detected during the diagnostic process, in which the sensitivity of cells to insulin is impaired.
- In some cases, impaired glucose tolerance develops as a result of diseases of the pancreas, in which its secretory activity is impaired. For example, problems with carbohydrate metabolism may appear against the background of pancreatitis.
- The reasons also include some diseases of the endocrine system, which are accompanied by metabolic disorders and increased blood sugar levels (for example, Itsenko-Cushing's disease).
- One of the risk factors is obesity.
- Sedentary lifestyle also negatively affects the functioning of the body.
- Sometimes a change in the amount of sugar in the blood is associated with taking medications, in particular hormonalfunds (in most cases, the "culprits" are glucocorticoids).
Impaired glucose tolerance: symptoms
Unfortunately, such a pathology in most cases is asymptomatic. Patients rarely complain of a deterioration in well-being or simply do not notice it. By the way, for the most part, people with a similar diagnosis are overweight, which is associated with a violation of normal metabolic processes.
As carbohydrate metabolism disorders worsen, characteristic signs begin to appear that accompany impaired glucose tolerance. Symptoms in this case are thirst, a feeling of dry mouth and increased fluid intake. Accordingly, patients also experience frequent urination. Against the background of hormonal and metabolic disorders, there is a significant decrease in immune defense - people become extremely susceptible to inflammatory and fungal diseases.
How dangerous is this disorder?
Of course, many patients with this diagnosis are interested in questions about the dangers of impaired glucose tolerance. First of all, such a condition is considered dangerous because, if left untreated, the risk of developing a well-known insidious disease, namely type 2 diabetes, is very high. On the other hand, such a disorder increases the likelihood of developing diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Basic diagnostic methods
The diagnosis of "impaired glucose tolerance" can only be made by a doctor. To begin with, the specialist will conduct an examination and collect an anamnesis (the presence of certain complaints from the patient, information about previous diseases, the presence of people with diabetes in the family, etc.).
In the future, a standard blood test for sugar levels is carried out. Samples are taken in the morning on an empty stomach. A similar procedure is carried out in any clinic. As a rule, the glucose level in such patients exceeds 5.5 mmol / l. However, a specific glucose tolerance test is needed to establish an accurate diagnosis.
Test and indications for it
Such a study today is one of the most accessible and effective methods for diagnosing a condition called "impaired glucose tolerance." But although testing is fairly simple, proper preparation is essential here.
For a few days before blood sampling, the patient is advised to avoid stress and increased physical activity. The procedure is carried out in the morning and on an empty stomach (not earlier than 10 hours after the last meal). First, a portion of blood is taken from the patient, after which they are offered to drink glucose powder dissolved in warm water. After 2 hours, a second blood sampling is carried out. In the laboratory, the sugar level in the samples is determined and the results are compared.
If before taking glucose, the blood sugar level was 6.1-5.5 mmol, and after two hours it jumped sharply to7, 8-11, 0 mmol / l, then we can already talk about a violation of tolerance.
In fact, experts recommend that every person undergo such testing at least once every two years - this is a very effective preventive precaution that will help identify the disease at an early stage. However, there are some risk groups for which analysis is mandatory. For example, people with a genetic predisposition to diabetes, as well as patients suffering from obesity, arterial hypertension, high cholesterol, atherosclerosis, and neuropathy of unknown origin are often sent for testing.
Impaired glucose tolerance: treatment
If the tolerance test gave a positive result, then you should immediately contact an endocrinologist. Only a specialist knows what therapy requires a violation of glucose tolerance. Treatment at this stage is usually non-medical. However, the patient needs to change their lifestyle as soon as possible.
It is extremely important to keep your body weight within the normal range. Naturally, you should not go on strict diets or deplete the body with intense physical activity. You need to fight extra pounds by gradually changing the diet and increasing physical activity. By the way, training should be regular - at least three times a week. It is worth quitting smoking, as this bad habit leads to vasoconstriction and damage to pancreatic cells.
Of course you needcarefully monitor blood sugar levels, regularly undergo examinations by an endocrinologist and take the necessary tests - this will make it possible to determine the presence of complications in time.
If these treatments are not effective, your doctor may prescribe some medications to lower your blood sugar levels. But it should be understood that there is no universal panacea for such a disease.
Proper nutrition is an integral part of therapy
Of course, nutrition plays an extremely important role in the treatment of such a pathology. Impaired glucose tolerance requires a special diet. The first thing to do is change your eating habits. Patients are advised to eat 5-7 times a day, but portions should be small - this will help relieve the burden on the digestive system.
What other changes does glucose intolerance require? The diet in this case must necessarily exclude sweets - sugar, sweets, sweet pastries are prohibited. In addition, it is worth limiting the amount of foods containing easily digestible carbohydrates - these are bread and bakery products, pasta, potatoes, etc. Experts also recommend reducing the amount of fat - do not abuse fatty meats, butter, lard. During rehabilitation, it is also worth giving up coffee and even tea, because these drinks (even without sugar) tend to increase blood glucose levels.
What should the patient's diet consist of? First of all, these are vegetables and fruits. They can be used inraw, boiled, baked. The required amount of protein can be obtained by entering the menu of lean meats and fish, nuts, legumes, milk and sour-milk products.
Key preventive measures
Impaired glucose tolerance can be extremely dangerous. And in this case, it is much easier to avoid such a disorder than to face the risk of developing diabetes. To maintain the normal functioning of the body, you need to follow only a few simple rules.
First of all, it is worth correcting the diet. Experts recommend fractional nutrition - eat 5-7 times a day, but always in small portions. In the daily menu, it is worth limiting the amount of sweets, pastries and overly fatty foods, replacing them with fresh fruits, vegetables and other he althy foods.
It is important to monitor body weight and provide the body with the physical activity it needs. Of course, excessive physical activity can also be dangerous - the load should be increased gradually. Of course, physical education should be regular.
