What You Need To Know About Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels due to the body’s inability to produce or effectively use insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar. Insulin helps glucose, the main source of energy for the body, enter cells to be used as fuel. In diabetes, either the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin (Type 1 diabetes) or the body cannot effectively use insulin (Type 2 diabetes, Gestational diabetes, and Prediabetes).

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes, is commonly found in children, teenagers, and young adults, but it can occur at any age. In type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas called beta cells. As a result, little or no insulin is produced, and glucose accumulates in the bloodstream, leading to high blood sugar levels.

The exact cause of Type 1 diabetes is unknown, but researchers believe it is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The symptoms of Type 1 diabetes can develop suddenly and include increased thirst, frequent urination, extreme hunger, unintentional weight loss, blurry vision, fatigue, and mood swings. Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong condition that requires daily insulin injections or the use of an insulin pump to manage blood sugar levels.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and typically develops in adults, although it is becoming more common in children, teenagers, and young adults. In Type 2 diabetes, the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels.

The risk factors for Type 2 diabetes include being overweight or obese, lack of physical activity, a family history of diabetes, having prediabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and being over 45 years old. Type 2 diabetes can be managed with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and medications such as oral hypoglycemic agents, injectable medications, and insulin.

Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes include increased thirst, hunger, urination, blurry vision, fatigue, sores that are slow to heal, and recurrent infections. People with Type 2 diabetes are also at risk of developing long-term complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, vision loss, hearing loss, and depression.

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy when the body cannot produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. Gestational diabetes affects about 2% to 10% of pregnant women and typically develops in the second or third trimester.

The risk factors for gestational diabetes include being overweight or obese before pregnancy, having a family history of diabetes, having previously given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds, and being over 25 years old. Women with gestational diabetes often have no symptoms, but the condition can cause complications for both the mother and baby if left untreated.

The treatment for gestational diabetes includes monitoring blood sugar levels, making dietary changes, and increasing physical activity. In some cases, insulin therapy may be necessary. Women with gestational diabetes are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.

Prediabetes

Prediabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as Type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes occurs when the body’s cells become resistant to insulin or when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin. The risk factors for prediabetes are similar to those for Type 2 diabetes.

However, general symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst, hunger, urination, blurry vision, fatigue, and delayed wound healing. Diabetes can lead to severe complications such as heart disease, stroke, neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy, vision and hearing loss, foot damage, and depression. 

Preventive measures such as regular exercise and a balanced diet can significantly lower the risk of developing diabetes.

Credit: Eunice Dacosta Gyebi