Information About the Field of Diabetology
What is Diabetology or the Disease of Diabetes?
Diabetology deals with the development, prophylaxis, therapy, and research of various metabolic disorders associated with increased blood sugar levels. These diseases include Type-1-Diabetes characterized by an absolute insulin deficiency and Type-2-Diabetes identified by a relative insulin deficiency due to insulin resistance. In addition, diabetologists treat other forms of diabetes such as genetic defects of the pancreas, which is responsible for insulin production.
Who can call himself a Specialist in Diabetology?
Diabetologists are primaily medical doctors who have completed special training in internal medicine. In this category, diabetologists have specialized in the clinical picture of diabetes mellitus. Diabetology may also be concedrned with the medical field of endocrinology, which specializes in metabolic diseases of the human organism.
Which Diseases are Treated by Diabetologists?
In addition to diabetes type 1 and 2, diabetes specialists treat secondary complications resulting from poorly regulated blood sugar levels.
The following diseases may arise due to a long-lasting hyperglycemia (high blood sugar):
- Diabetic Neuropathy
- Diabetic Nephropathy
- Diabetic Retinopathy
- Diabetic Foot Syndrome (DFS)
Diabetologists also treat certain forms of monogenic diabetes such as „maturity onset diabetes of the young „ (MODY 1-3). This types of disease is caused by a genetic defect which leading to high blood sugar levels.
In addition, diabetes specialists treat diseases caused by a defect of the insulin gene (type A insulin resistance, leprechaunism, Rabson-Mendenhall syndrome, lipoatrophic diabetes). Furthermore, they treat conditions of the pancreas, which is responsible for the production of insulin (chronic pancreatitis). Metabolic disorders also belong to the area of responsibility of the diabetologist (eg acromegaly, Cushing's disease, pheochromocytoma, hyperthyroidism, glucagonoma). In addition, they deal with rare immune-mediated forms of diabetes as well, such as anti-insulin receptor antibodies and the „Stiff-Man syndrome“.
Genetic syndromes (genetic disorders with multiple symptoms) such as Down, Klinefelter‘s, and Turner syndrome, which can also be associated with increased blood sugar levels, are included the field of diabetology.
Why Should I receive Diabetes Treatment?
Basically, diabetes should always be adjusted properly. Otherwise, it might lead to severe illnesses and consequential damages. That’s why patients should seek a specialist such as a diabetologist or endocrinologist. Only a precisely adjusted blood sugar level perfectly tailored to the patient’s needs enables a „long lasting life“.
Moreover, the attending physician must consider other factors affecting blood sugar level during therapy. One method of keeping hard-to-adjust blood glucose level within the normal range may be insulin substitution using an insulin pump. Again, diabetes specialists are the right people to decide if an insulin pump is suitable for the treatment of diabeties.
Where Can I Find an Experienced Diabetes Specialist?
At PRIMO MEDICO you find exclusively experienced specialists and clinics for diabetes in Germany. Currently, you can locate a recognized expert in the following city:
Sources:
- http://www.deutsche-diabetes-gesellschaft.de
- http://www.diabetes-ratgeber.net/insulinpumpe
- Karges, Al Dahouk: Innen Medizin; Springer Verlag 2011