Overview
Diabetes mellitus denotes a collection of disorders that influence the body’s utilization of blood sugar (glucose). Glucose serves as a vital energy source for the cells comprising muscles and tissues. It is the main source of energy for the brain.
The primary etiology of diabetes differs by type. Regardless of the type of diabetes, it might result in elevated blood sugar levels. Excessive blood sugar levels can result in significant health complications.
Chronic diabetes encompasses type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Diabetes diseases that may be reversible, including prediabetes and gestational diabetes. Prediabetes occurs when blood glucose levels exceed the usual range. However, the blood glucose levels do not reach the threshold for a diabetes diagnosis. Prediabetes can progress to diabetes if preventive measures are not implemented. Gestational diabetes occurs throughout pregnancy. However, it may resolve following the birth of the infant.
Types of Diabetes
1. Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes, formerly known as juvenile diabetes, is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system targets and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Insulin is an important hormone for regulating glucose levels in blood. Because of this, the pancreas produces little or no insulin. This kind of diabetes typically begins in adolescents, teens, or young adults, but it can occur at any age. People with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin for the remainder of their lives to keep their blood sugar under control. The specific cause is unknown, however, it is believed to be a combination of genetics and environmental influences, such as some viruses. Symptoms can appear fast and include excessive thirst, frequent urination, weight loss without effort, and acute fatigue. Type 1 diabetes, if not controlled effectively, can cause major complications, including diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a hazardous condition.
2. Type 2 Diabetes
Comprising almost 90% of all cases, type 2 diabetes is the most common kind of diabetes. While the pancreas in Type 2 diabetes still generates insulin, the body either develops resistance to its effects or generates insufficient insulin to meet its needs, unlike in Type 1 diabetes. Though genes also play a major influence, this kind of diabetes is intimately related to lifestyle choices including obesity, lack of physical activity, and poor eating habits. Usually seen in adults over 45, it is increasingly more commonly detected in younger people including toddlers and teenagers due to rising obesity rates. Usually developing slowly, symptoms include extreme thirst, frequent urination, persistent weariness, blurred eyesight, and wounds requiring prolonged healing times. Managing Type 2 diabetes usually calls for changing lifestyle, taking oral drugs, and occasionally utilizing insulin. Untreated it can cause major medical issues including nerve damage, renal failure, and heart disease.
3. Gestational Diabetes
During pregnancy, gestational diabetes results from insulin resistance brought on by hormonal changes, raising blood sugar levels. Usually developing in the second or third trimester, it influences roughly 2–10% of pregnancies. Although most women with gestational diabetes show no symptoms, some may feel tired, have more thirst or frequent urination. Among the risk factors are obesity, diabetes in the family, or pregnancy past 25 years old. Although it raises the mother’s and the child’s risk of Type 2 diabetes later in life, gestational diabetes typically goes away following childbirth. To avoid problems including high birth weight, premature birth, or low blood sugar in the infant, proper management during pregnancy, including a good diet, frequent exercise, and occasionally insulin treatment, is absolutely vital.
4. Prediabetes
A person with prediabetes has higher than normal blood sugar levels but not yet at the threshold needed for a diabetes diagnosis. It acts as an early warning that the body is beginning to suffer from insulin resistance without treatment, it can progress into Type 2 diabetes. Being overweight, adopting a sedentary lifestyle, or having a family history of diabetes are the prediabetes risk factors. Regular visits are especially important for those at increased risk as many persons with prediabetes do not exhibit any clear symptoms. The good news is that lifestyle adjustments, including weight loss, a balanced diet, and increased physical activity, can usually help prediabetes be reversed. Early action can help stop or postpone the start of Type 2 diabetes and accompanying health issues.
Symptoms of Diabetes
Diabetes usually comes on slowly, and the symptoms can be different based on the type and level of severity of the disease. Some people with Type 2 diabetes may have few or no signs at first. This is generally true in the early stages of the disease. However, noticing the signs early can help with a faster evaluation and better care.
These are the most usual signs that someone has diabetes:
- Experiencing increased thirst.
- Frequent urination.
- Unintentional weight loss.
- Presence of ketones in the urine.
- Experiencing fatigue and debilitation.
- Feeling irritability or other mood fluctuations.
- Facing visual impairment.
- Suffering slow healing ulcers.
- Experiencing several infections, including oral, skin-based, and genital infections.
Causes of Diabetes
Most types of diabetes don’t have a clear cause. In all of these situations, sugar builds up in the blood. This is because not enough insulin is being made by the pancreas. Genes and the surroundings may both work together to cause both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It’s not clear what those causes might be.
Risk Factors
The type of diabetes determines its risk factors. All kinds could have some influence from family background. Geographic and environmental elements can increase a person’s risk of type 1 diabetes.
Family members of someone with type 1 diabetes are occasionally screened for diabetic immune system cells, or autoantibodies. Should you have these autoantibodies, type 1 diabetes becomes more likely. Not everyone who possesses these autoantibodies, yet, gets diabetes.
Additionally, increasing your risk of type 2 diabetes is race or ethnicity. Though the reason is unknown, some people—Black, Hispanic, American Indian, Asian American—are at higher chances of getting it.
Overweight or obese people are more likely to have prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Diagnosis
Doctors use specific blood tests to check if your blood sugar levels are too high. These tests help confirm whether you have diabetes or prediabetes. There are some specific tests to diagnose diabetes according to a patient condition:
- Test for random blood sugar. One will randomly grab a blood sample. Regardless of your last meal, a blood sugar level of 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) — 11.1 millimoles per liter (mmol/L) — or above indicates diabetes.
- Test for fasting blood sugar. You haven’t eaten anything the night before, hence a blood sample will be taken immediately. Normal blood sugar levels fall below 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L). Considered pre-diabetes is a fasting blood sugar level between 100 and 125 mg/dL (5.6 and 6.9 mmol/L). You have diabetes if two separate tests show 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L) or above.
- The glucose tolerance test. On this test, you fast overnight. Next, one measures the fasting blood sugar level. You next consume a sweet liquid, and for the next two hours, blood sugar levels are checked routinely. Normal blood sugar levels fall between 140 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L). You have diabetes if your reading is more than 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) two hours ago. Your value falls between 140 and 199 mg/dL (7.8 mmol/L) indicating prediabetes.
- A1C examination. This blood test indicates your average blood sugar level for the preceding two to three months without requiring fasting—that is, not skipping meals. It monitors the proportion of blood sugar connected to hemoglobin, the protein red blood cells need to deliver oxygen. It also goes by a glycated hemoglobin test. You will have more hemoglobin with sugar attached, and your blood sugar levels will increase. You have diabetes if your A1C level on two different tests is 6.5% or over. Your A1C falls between 5.7% and 6.4% indicating prediabetes. Considered normal is less than 5.7%.
Managing Diabetes
Since diabetes is a complicated illness, its management calls for different approaches. Furthermore, everyone responds differently to diabetes, so management strategies are somewhat customized.
Managing diabetes mostly consists of these elements:
- Blood glucose level: Determining how effectively your present treatment strategy is working depends on knowing your blood sugar, or glucose. It provides daily, sometimes hourly, guidance on how to control your diabetes. With regular checks with a glucose meter and finger stick and/or a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), you can track your levels. The ideal blood sugar range for you will be decided upon by you and your doctor.
- Medications: For those with diabetes but still make some insulin, oral diabetes medications—taken by mouth—help control blood sugar levels. Mostly affecting Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. Those with gestational diabetes could also need oral medication. There are various varieties. The most commonly used is metformin.
- Insulin: People with Type 1 diabetes must inject synthetic insulin if they are to survive and control their condition. Certain Type 2 diabetic sufferers also need insulin. Synthetic insulin comes in numerous varieties. Each begins working at different rates and stays in your body for varying periods of time. The four primary forms of insulin you can use are rapid-acting inhaled insulin, insulin pens, injectable insulin taken with a syringe (shot), and insulin pumps.
- Diet: Since food significantly affects blood sugar, meal planning and selecting a good diet for you are fundamental components of diabetes control. If you use insulin, a major component of management is monitoring carbohydrates in the food and beverages you consume. Your insulin needs during meals depend on the carbs you consume. Good eating practices can also help you control weight and lower your risk of heart disease.
- Exercise: Regular exercise is crucial for all people with diabetes since it raises insulin sensitivity (and helps lower insulin resistance).