Diabetes
Blog post description.
6/7/20263 min read
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease in which the body cannot properly regulate the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Glucose is the body's main source of energy, and the hormone insulin, produced by the pancreas, helps glucose move from the bloodstream into the body's cells.
When there is too little insulin, or the body does not respond to insulin effectively, glucose builds up in the blood, leading to high blood sugar (hyperglycemia).
How insulin normally works
After you eat:
Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose.
Glucose enters the bloodstream.
The pancreas releases insulin.
Insulin helps glucose enter muscle, fat, and liver cells.
Blood sugar returns to a healthy range.
In diabetes, one or more of these steps do not work properly.
Types of diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes
Caused by the immune system destroying insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.
Usually develops in children, teenagers, or young adults, but it can occur at any age.
People produce little or no insulin.
Requires lifelong insulin therapy.
Accounts for about 5–10% of diabetes cases.
Type 2 Diabetes
The most common form (about 90–95% of cases).
The body becomes resistant to insulin and gradually produces less of it.
More common in adults but increasingly seen in younger people.
Often associated with overweight or obesity, physical inactivity, family history, and increasing age, although it can also occur in people without these risk factors.
Gestational Diabetes
Develops during pregnancy.
Usually disappears after delivery.
Increases the mother's risk of developing type 2 diabetes later.
Can affect the baby's health if not managed properly.
Prediabetes
Blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough to diagnose diabetes.
Lifestyle changes can often delay or prevent progression to type 2 diabetes.
Causes and risk factors
For Type 1:
Autoimmune disease
Genetic susceptibility
Certain environmental triggers (not fully understood)
For Type 2:
Family history
Excess body weight
Physical inactivity
Increasing age
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Previous gestational diabetes
Certain ethnic backgrounds have a higher risk
Symptoms
Symptoms may develop gradually or suddenly depending on the type.
Common symptoms include:
Excessive thirst
Frequent urination
Increased hunger
Fatigue
Blurred vision
Slow healing of wounds
Frequent infections
Dry skin
Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
Unexplained weight loss (especially in type 1 diabetes)
Diagnosis
Doctors diagnose diabetes using blood tests such as:
TestDiabetes thresholdFasting plasma glucose≥126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L)HbA1c≥6.5%Random blood glucose≥200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) with symptomsOral glucose tolerance test (2-hour)≥200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L)
Treatment
Treatment depends on the type and the individual's needs.
Healthy eating
Eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes.
Choose lean protein such as fish, chicken, tofu, or beans.
Limit sugary drinks and highly processed foods.
Control portion sizes.
Physical activity
Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week, plus muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days if appropriate.
Medications
Common treatments include:
Metformin
Insulin
Other medications such as Semaglutide or Empagliflozin may be recommended for some people with type 2 diabetes.
Blood sugar monitoring
Monitoring glucose helps guide treatment. Some people use:
Finger-stick blood glucose meters
Continuous glucose monitor (CGM), which measures glucose throughout the day and night
Complications
Poorly controlled diabetes can lead to serious complications.
Short-term
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Diabetic ketoacidosis (mainly in type 1 diabetes)
Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (mainly in type 2 diabetes)
Long-term
Heart disease
Stroke
Kidney disease
Eye disease that can lead to vision loss
Nerve damage
Foot ulcers and infections
Increased risk of amputations
Prevention
While type 1 diabetes cannot currently be prevented, many cases of type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented by:
Maintaining a healthy weight
Being physically active
Eating a balanced diet
Not smoking
Getting regular health check-ups, especially if you have risk factors
Living with diabetes
Many people with diabetes live long, healthy lives by:
Following their treatment plan
Monitoring blood sugar as advised
Attending regular medical appointments
Managing blood pressure and cholesterol
Getting regular eye, kidney, and foot examinations
Staying physically active and eating a balanced diet
With early diagnosis and consistent management, the risk of many diabetes-related complications can be greatly reduced.
This content above is generated by AI.