All You Need to Know About Diabetes

 

Diabetes is a condition that develops when your blood glucose, commonly known as blood sugar, is abnormally high (hyperglycemia). Blood glucose is your primary source of energy, and it is derived from the foods you consume each day. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, aids in the transport of glucose from meals into your cells, where it may be utilized for energy. It is possible that your body does not produce enough insulin, or that it does not utilize insulin properly. This causes glucose to remain in your bloodstream and not reach your cells.

Having an excessive amount of glucose in your bloodstream may lead to health issues over time. Despite the fact that diabetes has no known cure, you may take measures to manage your condition and maintain your health.

Diabetes is referred to as "a touch of sugar" or "borderline diabetes" in certain circles. These phrases imply that someone does not really have diabetes or that they have a less severe case of the disease, although diabetes is a life-threatening disease in every instance.

What is the prevalence of diabetes?

Diabetes was diagnosed in 30.3 million individuals in the United States in 2015, accounting for 9.4 percent of the population. More than one in every four of them was completely unaware that they had the illness. One in every four individuals over the age of 65 is affected with diabetes. Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 90-95 percent of occurrences in adulthood.

Diabetes Types  

Type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes are the three most common forms of diabetes (diabetes while pregnant).

Type 1 Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects the body's insulin production.

Type 1 diabetes is believed to be caused by an autoimmune response (in which the body mistakenly fights itself) that prevents your body from producing insulin properly. Type 1 diabetes affects about 5-10 percent of the population with diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is characterised by the rapid development of symptoms. It is most often diagnosed in children, teenagers, and young adults, although it may affect anybody. If you have type 1 diabetes, you will need insulin injections on a daily basis in order to live. At this time, no one knows how to prevent type 1 diabetes from occurring.

Kind 2 Diabetes is a type of diabetes that affects the pancreas.

Type 2 diabetes is characterised by the inability of the body to properly use insulin and maintain appropriate blood glucose levels. Type 2 diabetes affects about 90-95 percent of all diabetics. It manifests itself over a long period of time and is often diagnosed in adults (but more and more in children, teens, and young adults). In the event that you have diabetes but are not experiencing any symptoms, being tested for the disease is critical. Type 2 diabetes may be avoided or delayed by adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes reducing weight, consuming nutritious foods, and being physically active on a regular basis.

Diabetes During Pregnancy

GDM occurs in pregnant women who have never had the disease prior to becoming pregnant. Because of your pre-existing diabetes, your baby may be at greater risk for developing health issues. After your baby is delivered, gestational diabetes will generally go away, but it will raise your chance of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Obesity in childhood and adolescence is more probable in your kid, as is the development of type 2 diabetes later in life in your child.

Prediabetes

Prediabetes affects 88 million people in the United States, or more than one in every three. Furthermore, more than 84 percent of them are completely unaware that they have it. The blood sugar levels of people with prediabetes are higher than usual, but they are not yet high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes increases your chances of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke later in life. Fortunately, if you have prediabetes, a lifestyle modification programme approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may assist you in taking healthy measures to reverse it.

Types of diabetes that are not listed here

Monogenic diabetes, which is a hereditary form of diabetes, and cystic fibrosis-related diabetes are two of the less frequent forms of diabetes.

What is the root cause of diabetes?

Type 1 (sometimes known as the first type)

Type 1 diabetes is characterised by the absence of insulin production by the body. This is due to the fact that the immune system assaults and kills the cells in the pancreas that are responsible for insulin production. Doctors are baffled as to why this is happening. If one or both of your parents or one of your siblings has type 1 diabetes, you are at a higher risk of developing the disease.

Type 2 (also known as Type 2 diabetes)

When you eat, your body converts the majority of the nutrients in your meal into glucose (a form of sugar). Insulin, a hormone, is responsible for allowing glucose to enter all of the cells in your body. It is utilised to generate electricity at that location. The pancreas is responsible for insulin production. Type 2 diabetes is characterised by either insufficient insulin production by the pancreas or insufficient insulin use by the body's cells (called insulin resistance). As a result, glucose accumulates in your bloodstream rather of being transported to your cells. A high level of glucose in the bloodstream may cause severe health issues, including damage to the blood vessels, nerves, heart, eyes, and kidneys, among other things.

Type 2 diabetes is associated with a number of risk factors, including:

Weight. One of the most significant risk factors for type 2 diabetes is obesity, which is the most common form. Increased insulin resistance is associated with increased body mass index (body mass index). Consult with your doctor to determine whether or not you are overweight. A balanced, low-fat diet combined with regular exercise may assist you in losing weight gradually and maintaining your weight loss.

Age. In general, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes rises with age, particularly beyond the age of 45. Although you cannot alter your age, you may take steps to decrease your risk by addressing other risk factors.

The history of the family. Although you can't alter your family history, it's still essential for you and your doctor to be aware of if diabetes is a genetic trait in your family. If your mother, father, or a sibling has diabetes, your chance of developing the disease is increased. Inform your doctor if you or anybody in your family has been diagnosed with diabetes.

Pregnancy. Gestational diabetes is a kind of diabetes that occurs exclusively in women who are expecting children. In spite of the fact that gestational diabetes disappears after pregnancy, about half of all pregnant women develop type 2 diabetes within 15 years after giving birth to a child. Women who give birth to infants that weigh 9 pounds or more are more likely than other women to acquire type 2 diabetes later in life, even if they do not have gestational diabetes at the time of delivery. Gender-specific screening for gestational diabetes is recommended by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) for pregnant women after the 24th week of pregnancy. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, there is insufficient data to establish whether screening for gestational diabetes in pregnant women before the 24th week of pregnancy is beneficial or harmful.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a medical condition that affects the ovaries (PCOS). Essentially, this is a disease that happens when there is an imbalance in a woman's hormone levels, which causes cysts to grow on her ovaries. Women who have PCOS are at a higher risk of acquiring type 2 diabetes than women who do not have PCOS.

Tobacco and alcoholic beverages are prohibited. The use of alcoholic beverages and the use of cigarettes may raise your chance of developing type 2 diabetes. Put an end to your smoking habit as soon as feasible. Drinking a little amount of alcohol with a meal is generally OK, but you should limit yourself to one serving each day. Even less is preferable. A serving of wine, beer, or hard liquor is equal to 4 ounces of wine, 12 ounces of beer, or 1.5 ounces of hard liquor.

The likelihood of acquiring type 2 diabetes rises in direct proportion to the number of risk factors present. If you have two or more risk factors for type 2 diabetes, speak to your doctor about ways to postpone or prevent the development of the disease.

Diabetes signs and symptoms

The symptoms of diabetes are brought on by a rise in blood sugar.

Symptoms in general

Diabetes is characterised by a number of general symptoms, which are as follows:

increased desire to eat

increased desire to drink

a reduction in body weight

urinating on a regular basis

eyesight that is hazy

severe exhaustion

sores that don't seem to heal

Men's signs and symptoms

In addition to the typical symptoms of diabetes, males who have the disease may have reduced sex desire, erectile dysfunction (ED), and decreased muscular strength, among other things.

Women's signs and symptoms

Women who have diabetes may also have symptoms such as urinary tract infections, yeast infections, and dry, itchy skin, to name a few.

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the body's insulin production.

Type 1 diabetes may manifest itself in a variety of ways, including the following:

a state of severe hunger

increased desire to drink

Unintentional weight loss may occur.

urinating on a regular basis

eyesight that is hazy

tiredness

It may also cause a shift in one's mood.

Kind 2 diabetes is a type of diabetes that affects the pancreas

Type 2 diabetes may manifest itself in a variety of ways, including:

increased desire to eat

increased desire to drink

increased frequency of urination

eyesight that is hazy

tiredness

wounds that take a long time to heal

It has also been linked to recurrent infections. This is due to the fact that high glucose levels make it more difficult for the body to recover.

Gestational diabetes is a kind of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy.

The majority of pregnant women with gestational diabetes do not experience any symptoms. Most commonly, the issue is discovered through a regular blood sugar test or oral glucose tolerance test, which is generally done between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy.

Occasionally, a woman with gestational diabetes may feel increased thirst or urination in addition to the other symptoms.

What is the procedure for diagnosing diabetes?

If your doctor thinks that you are at risk for diabetes after evaluating you, discussing your symptoms, and reviewing your medical history, he or she may recommend that you get tested. Your doctor may order the following tests to determine whether or not you have diabetes:

A fasting blood sugar test is performed. This test is typically performed in the morning, after an 8-hour fasting period (not eating or drinking anything except water for 8 hours before the test). For the blood test, you will need to put a tiny needle into a vein in your arm in order to take blood. The blood will be submitted to a laboratory for analysis. If your blood sugar level is 126 milligrammes per deciliter (mg/dL) or above, your doctor will most likely want to repeat the test to be sure you are not diabetic. Diabetes is diagnosed when the blood sugar level is 126 milligrammes per deciliter (mg/dL) or greater on two separate occasions. It is possible to develop prediabetes if you have a blood sugar level of 100 mg per dL to 125 mg per dL. A blood glucose level of less than 99 mg per deciliter of blood is considered normal.

Oral glucose tolerance test is performed. You will be required to consume a beverage comprising 75 grammes of glucose dissolved in water throughout this test. This has a nice water flavour to it. Two hours later, a doctor or nurse will take a blood sample to determine the level of glucose in your blood. Diabetes is diagnosed when the blood glucose level is 200 mg/dL or above.

A random blood sugar test was performed. At any time of day, this test may be used to determine the amount of glucose in your blood. It makes no difference when you last consumed food. A blood glucose level of 200 mg/dL or above, when combined with the symptoms of diabetes, confirms the presence of diabetes.

A1C blood test is performed. An individual's average blood glucose levels during the preceding three months may be determined by doing this blood glucose test. The results are expressed as a percentage of the total. An A1C score of less than 5.7 percent is considered normal. It indicates that your blood glucose has been higher than usual for a longer period of time. A prediabetes test result of between 5.7 percent and 6.4 percent confirms the presence of the condition. Diabetes is diagnosed when the result is 6.5 percent or above.

AAFP advises that individuals between the ages of 40 and 70 years who are overweight or obese have their blood sugar levels checked for type 2 diabetes as part of a comprehensive cardiac risk assessment. Behavioral therapy to promote a balanced diet and physical exercise is recommended for patients with abnormal blood glucose levels, and doctors are urged to provide or refer them.

Is it possible to prevent or avoid diabetes?

Consult your doctor if you have any risk factors for developing diabetes. You may not be able to alter everything, but you can make adjustments that will substantially reduce your risk.

Exercise and weight management are important. Physical activity and keeping a healthy weight may help to lower your chance of developing diabetes. Any level of exercise is preferable than none at all. Try to get 30 to 60 minutes of exercise in on most days of the week. If you are considering beginning an exercise regimen, consult with your doctor first.

Diet. A high-fat, high-calorie, and high-cholesterol diet increases your chances of developing diabetes. Obesity (another risk factor for diabetes) and other health issues may result from a sedentary lifestyle and bad nutrition. Diets that are rich in fibre and low in fat, cholesterol, sodium, and sugar are considered to be healthful. Also, remember to keep an eye on your portion control. The amount of food you consume is just as essential as the kind of food you consume.

Factors that increase the risk of diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that may be caused by a number of causes.

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the body's insulin production.

If you have type 1 diabetes as a child or adolescent, if you have a parent or sibling who has the illness, or if you have specific genes that are related to the disease, you have a higher risk of developing the condition.

Kind 2 diabetes is a type of diabetes that affects the pancreas.

If you do any of the following, you increase your chance of developing type 2 diabetes:

they have a lot of extra weight

are above the age of 45

have a parent or sibling who is suffering from the illness

don't engage in any physical activity

Having been diagnosed with gestational diabetes

have diabetes or pre-diabetes

suffer from high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, or elevated triglycerides

having ancestors that are African American, Hispanic or Latino American, Alaska Native, Pacific Islander, American Indian, or Asian American

Gestational diabetes is a kind of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy.

If you do any of the following, your chance of developing gestational diabetes increases:

they have a lot of extra weight

are above the age of 25

during a previous pregnancy, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes

having given birth to a child that weighs more than 9 lbs.

having a history of type 2 diabetes in one's family

suffer from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or diabetes-related problems

High blood sugar has a detrimental effect on organs and tissues throughout the body. You are more likely to have problems if your blood sugar is high and you have been living with it for a long time.

Complications

heart disease, heart attack, and stroke are all conditions that affect the cardiovascular system.

neuropathy

nephropathy

retinopathy and vision impairment

a problem with one's hearing

Infections and sores that do not heal are examples of foot injury.

Bacterial and fungal infections of the skin are examples of skin disorders.

depression

dementia

Gestational diabetes is a kind of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy.

The uncontrolled progression of gestational diabetes may cause complications for both the mother and the child. The following are examples of complications that may harm the baby:

birth before the due date

a birth weight that was greater than usual

Later in age, there is an increased chance of developing type 2 diabetes.

low levels of glucose in the blood

jaundice

stillbirth

Complications such as elevated blood pressure (preeclampsia) or type 2 diabetes may occur in the mother during pregnancy. She may also need a caesarean section, which is referred known as a C-section informally.

The mother's chance of developing gestational diabetes in subsequent pregnancies rises as well.

Management of Diabetes

Controlling your blood sugar level is the single most essential thing you can do for your health. This may be accomplished by good diet, regular exercise, keeping a healthy weight, and, if necessary, the use of oral medications or insulin.

Diet. You should consume enough of complex carbohydrates (such as whole grains), fruits, and vegetables as part of your diet. It is essential to have at least three meals each day and to never miss a meal. Every day, I eat at about the same time. This aids in keeping your insulin or medication levels as well as your blood sugar levels stable. Avoid consuming empty calories from meals rich in sugar and fat, as well as from alcohol.

Exercise. Exercising aids in the use of insulin and the reduction of blood glucose levels. It also aids in weight management, provides you with more energy, and is beneficial to your general health. Exercise is also beneficial to your heart, your cholesterol levels, your blood pressure, and your overall weight management plan. All of these variables may increase or decrease your chance of having a heart attack or having a stroke. Make an appointment with your doctor to discuss beginning an exercise regimen.

Maintain a healthy weight by exercising regularly. Getting rid of extra weight and keeping a healthy body weight would be beneficial to you on two levels. First and foremost, it aids in the proper functioning of insulin in your body. Second, it will help to lower your blood pressure and reduce your chance of developing heart problems.

Take your medication as prescribed. It is possible that your doctor may prescribe medication or insulin if your diabetes cannot be managed with diet, exercise, and weight management. The majority of individuals with type 2 diabetes begin with an oral medication (taken by mouth). Oral medications have the potential to increase insulin production in the body. They also assist your body in making better use of the insulin that it produces. Insulin injections, insulin pens, and insulin pumps are all options for certain individuals who need to supplement their insulin levels. Always follow your doctor's instructions while using medications. Oral medication does not always effective in all cases. The treatment of type 1 diabetes with this medication is ineffective. Individuals with type 1 diabetes, as well as some people with type 2 diabetes, need insulin treatment on a regular basis. If you need insulin, you will be required to administer it to yourself (either with a syringe or with an insulin pen). Your doctor will inform you the kind of medication to take and why you should take it.

Sources:

https://medlineplus.gov/diabetes.html

https://familydoctor.org/condition/diabetes/?adfree=true

https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes

https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/diabetes.html

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes