Diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when the pancreas does not produce sufficient insulin or if the body is unable to use insulin effectively. Diabetes is a common condition that can affect people of all age groups. There are several types of diabetes, of which type 2 diabetes is most common.
Types of Diabetes
Common types of diabetes can be as follows:
Type 2 Diabetes
In this type of diabetes, the body does not make sufficient insulin and/or the cells in the body do not respond normally to insulin (insulin resistance).
Type 1 Diabetes
In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce sufficient levels of insulin. Insulin is vital for both controlling sugar and for survival of the patient.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes develops in women at the time of pregnancy. A woman diagnosed with gestational diabetes is at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Symptoms of Diabetes
Common symptoms of diabetes may include:
Increased thirst and dry mouth
Unexplained or sudden weight loss
Frequent need to urinate
Blurred or hazy vision
Tiredness and fatigue
Numbness, especially in the hands and feet
Cuts and sores that heal slowly
Frequent yeast or skin infections
Diabetes Causes
The cause of diabetes varies based on its type. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are types of chronic diabetes. However, prediabetes and gestational diabetes are both potentially reversible conditions. Though the exact cause of diabetes is not known, diabetes results in the buildup of sugar in the bloodstream in all cases.
Diabetes Risk Factors
Although risk factors of diabetes, such as age and family history cannot be controlled, some risk factors can be managed by making lifestyle changes, such as staying physically active and quitting smoking. Find out the risk factors of each type of diabetes as listed below:
Type 1 Diabetes
Potential risk factors for type 1 diabetes include:
Age: A person can be diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at any age; however, it is most common in children, teens and younger adults.
Family history: Having a parent or close family member diagnosed with type 1 diabetes increases the risk of being diagnosed with the condition.
Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes
Both prediabetes and type 2 diabetes share similar risk factors. If you are diagnosed with prediabetes, it is an added risk factor of type 2 diabetes. Other risk factors can include:
Adiposity
Being age 45 and above
Having a close family member diagnosed with type 2 diabetes
Lack of exercise and physical activity
Having MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease).
Gestational Diabetes
The risk of gestational diabetes increases if:
Had gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy
Are overweight
Have type 2 diabetes in the family
Have been diagnosed with a hormonal disorder like PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome).
Diabetes Complications
Long-term complications of diabetes develop slowly. The longer you have diabetes that is left untreated, the higher is the risk of complications. Potential complications of diabetes include:
Cardiovascular disease: Diabetes can increase the risk of heart problems including coronary artery disease with angina, narrowing of arteries or atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke.
Nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy): High sugar levels can injure the walls of capillaries (tiny blood vessels). This causes numbness, tingling, burning or pain begins at the tips of fingers or toes that gradually moves upwards.
Kidney damage (diabetic nephropathy): Diabetes can damage the body’s filtering system, a condition referred to as diabetic neuropathy.
Eye damage (diabetic retinopathy): Diabetes can damage the functioning of the blood vessels of the eye that could potentially progress into blindness.
Skin conditions: Diabetes can leave the skin more prone to skin issues, such as bacterial and fungal infections.
Hearing problems: Hearing impairment is more common in people with diabetes.
Alzheimer’s disease: Type 2 diabetes can increase the risk of dementia.
Depression: Depression is more common in people who have been diagnosed with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes Diagnosis
An endocrinologist diagnoses diabetes by testing the blood glucose level. The tests that can help measure the blood glucose levels include:
Fasting blood glucose test: A type of test that detects baseline blood sugar.
Random blood glucose test: A diagnostic test that can be taken with or without fasting.
A1c: Also known as glycated haemoglobin test or HBA1c, this test measures the average blood glucose levels in the past two to three months.
Type of Test | In Range (mg/dL) | Prediabetes (mg/dL) | Diabetes (mg/L) |
Fasting blood glucose test | <100 | 100 to 125 | 126 or higher |
Random blood glucose test | N/A | N/A | 200 or higher |
A1c | <5.7% | 5.7% to 6.4% | 6.5% or higher |
Diabetes Prevention
Even though it is not possible to prevent inherited and autoimmune diabetes, some steps can help lower the risk of prediabetes, gestational diabetes, and type 2 diabetes. These can be as follows:
Eating a balanced diet
Staying physically active (aim for 30 minutes of exercise per day, for at least five days in a week)
Maintaining a healthy weight
Taking steps to manage anxiety and stress
Limiting alcohol consumption
Maintaining a healthy sleep cycle
Quitting tobacco use and smoking
Taking medications as directed by a healthcare provider to manage existing risk factors for heart disease.
When to See a Doctor
It is recommended to see a doctor if you are experiencing symptoms of diabetes, frequent urination and dry mouth. If you are at a risk of diabetes, such as having a family history of the condition, schedule an appointment with an endocrinologist today. The earlier the signs and symptoms of diabetes are treated, the less are the chances to develop complications of the disease.
FAQs
How does diabetes affect life?
The long –term impact of diabetes includes a greater risk of heart attack, stroke, problems with the eyes, kidneys, feet and nerves. The long-term effects of diabetes can be managed with timely detection and intervention.
What is the main cause of diabetes?
Physical inactivity, being overweight and adiposity increases the chances of developing type 2 diabetes. Extra weight can sometimes cause insulin-resistance and is common in people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
What is type 1 and type 2 diabetes?
In type 1 diabetes, the body does not make sufficient insulin, because of the immune system attacking the islet cells in the pancreas. In type 2 diabetes, the body produces less insulin and the body develops resistance to insulin.
What is the best treatment for diabetes?
Currently, the best treatment for type 1 diabetes is an automated insulin delivery system. It includes an insulin pump, continuous glucose monitor, and a computer algorithm that adjusts insulin as a response to the glucose monitoring signal.
