Diabetes is more than a disease – it’s a silent epidemic affecting millions of lives. According to the World Health Organization, more than 800 million people are suffering from diabetes globally. [ref]
From controlling blood sugar levels to learning the risk factors or changing your lifestyle, living with diabetes requires consciousness and constant intervention. Each form of diabetes – Type 1, Type 2, or gestational – comes with its unique challenges.
You must know about the fundamentals of diabetes to have a clearer picture of this health condition and manage it better.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a lifelong disease in which your body either cannot produce enough insulin or you don’t use it at all. This causes your blood sugar levels to shoot, which, if left unchecked, can cause serious health complications.
Diabetes is a growing health crisis in India. According to a study, 11.4% of the country’s population has diabetes. [ref] More than 100 million people in the country could be living with pre-diabetes.
Insulin and Diabetes
Insulin is an important hormone the pancreas produces to control blood sugar levels. It carries glucose into cells and then converts it to energy. This process gets interrupted in diabetic patients.
The body doesn’t make insulin in Type 1 diabetes, and you need to get the insulin shot from outside your body to survive. When you have Type 2 diabetes, you either do not make enough insulin or you don’t respond to the insulin properly, so your body does not absorb the glucose properly.
With no insulin activity, blood sugar remains elevated and can lead to long-term illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and nerve issues. Therefore, insulin control is essential to manage diabetes and avoid complications.
Types of Diabetes
There are various types of diabetes, and they have different causes, symptoms, and health effects. Below is a rundown of the main categories:
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the pancreatic beta cells that secrete insulin. This results in a lack of insulin production and requires lifelong insulin therapy. This type often develops in children, teenagers, or young adults, though it can occur at any age.
The most commonly experienced symptoms are thirst, high urination, unexplained weight loss, and weakness. The precise reason is still unknown, but genetic vulnerability and environmental factors such as viral infections could be responsible.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes occurs due to insulin resistance, where the body’s cells cannot respond to insulin. Over time, the pancreas may no longer make enough insulin. This variant is highly correlated with lifestyle factors such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and obesity, as well as genetic factors.
The signs appear gradually, ranging from hunger to frequent infections and slowly healing wounds. It’s usually a disorder in the adult population, though it’s getting diagnosed in younger people as obesity levels increase.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is caused by hormonal fluctuations that depress insulin production during pregnancy. It generally goes away with childbirth but raises the risk of type 2 diabetes in the mother later.
Uncontrolled gestational diabetes can lead to complications such as high birth weight, preterm delivery, and preeclampsia.
Other Types
- Pre-diabetes – It is a condition characterized by high blood sugar levels but not yet in the diabetic region.
- Monogenic diabetes – A rare condition caused by a gene mutation inherited from either of your parents.
- Type 3c diabetes – If you have had your pancreas removed, or it has been damaged because of illness or injury, this condition develops.
Diabetes Symptoms and Warning Signs
Identifying the signs of diabetes can be the key to diagnosing and managing it early. Although certain symptoms may be mild or gradual, they should not be taken for granted.
Common Symptoms
- Frequent urination – Especially noticeable at night
- Blurred vision – Eye lenses are affected by fluid shifts
- Slow-healing wounds – Even small cuts and sores take longer to heal
- Fatigue – Constant exhaustion due to the body’s inability to process glucose effectively
- Excessive thirst – Happens due to frequent urination
- Tingling or numbness – Usually in hands and feet, indicating nerve involvement
- Unexplained weight loss – Commonly happens in type 1 diabetes
Early Signs to Watch Out For
- Heightened hunger, even after having a full meal
- Frequent skin infections or itchy skin
- Darkened skin patches
Why Early Diagnosis Matters
If diabetes is detected early, serious complications of the heart, kidneys, and nerves can be prevented. Screenings, particularly when you have risk factors, and attending to any symptoms early will ensure early intervention and a better long-term prognosis.
Causes and Risk Factors
You can develop diabetes because of genetic, lifestyle, and medical reasons. The prevention and early management can be addressed by understanding these causes.
Genetic Factors
- A family history of diabetes increases the risk for diabetes
- Specific gene mutations for Type 1, Type 2, or monogenic diabetes
Lifestyle Contributors
- Unhealthy eating – High intake of sugar, refined carbs, or processed foods
- Lack of physical activity – If you don’t exercise regularly, it can make you insulin-resistant
- Obesity – Excess body fat, especially around the abdomen, may impair insulin function
- Chronic stress – Long-term stress can mess with hormone levels, leading to loss of blood sugar control
Tests For Diabetes
Detecting diabetes involves several blood tests to check blood sugar and how the body deals with glucose.
A1c Test
- Measures – The A1C test (hemoglobin A1C) is the blood sugar averaged over the last 2–3 months.
- Diagnosis criteria – An A1c level of 6.5% and above is diagnosed as diabetes, and 5.7% to 6.4% is diagnosed as pre-diabetes.
- Advantages – You don’t need to fast, and it provides a complete view of your blood sugar level.
Fasting Blood Sugar Test
- Measures – Checks blood sugar level following an overnight fast (8 hours of no food)
- Diagnosis criteria – A fasting blood sugar level that falls under 100 mg/dL is considered normal. Levels ranging from 101 – 125 mg/dL are considered prediabetes. Diabetes is when you cross 126 mg/dL on two different tests.
- Factors to consider – Patients are required to fast overnight, which might cause inconvenience to some.
Glucose Tolerance Test
- Measures – This is an exam on the body’s glucose metabolism. After fasting, the patient drinks a sweetened solution, and blood sugar is measured at frequent intervals.
- Diagnosis criteria – If your blood sugar remains 200 mg/dL or more 2 hours later, you have diabetes; a value between 140 and 199 mg/dL means you have pre-diabetes.
- Usefulness – Effective for diagnosing gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
Random Blood Sugar Test
- Measures – This measurement checks blood sugar at any time, no matter when the patient has had a meal.
- Diagnosis criteria – The blood sugar should be 200 mg/dL or higher to be diagnosed as diabetes.
- Convenience – You can test it immediately without fasting, which is ideal for quick measurements.
Managing Diabetes
Diabetes management is vital for proper blood sugar control and avoidance of complications. It is an all-round regimen that involves diet, exercise, medication, and monitoring.
Diet and Nutrition
Eating right is key to controlling diabetes. When you choose to eat foods with low glycemic index (GI), it helps maintain stable blood sugar levels. Low-GI foods include whole grains, fruits, non-starchy vegetables, and legumes.
Tips for Meal Planning
- Exercise portion control
- Eat properly balanced meals
- Prepare meals in advance
- Stay hydrated
Exercise and Physical Activity
Exercise is a major blood sugar regulator because it boosts insulin sensitivity and helps you control your weight. [ref]
Suggested Activities
- Strength training – Engaging in weightlifting or resistance exercises two to three times a week
- Aerobic exercise – Walking, cycling, swimming, or dancing for at least 150 minutes per week
- Flexibility and balance – Yoga or stretches can be added
Medication and Insulin Therapy
Sometimes, diet and exercise won’t be enough to manage diabetes, so medication or insulin may be required.
Treatment Options
- Insulin therapy – It involves administering insulin to regulate blood sugar levels
- Oral medications – Some oral drugs can improve insulin sensitivity and enhance insulin production
Complications of Diabetes
If you don’t pay attention to the treatment and management of diabetes, it can lead to the following health complications.
- Heart disease – High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels and nerves controlling your heart function. [ref]
- Kidney damage – High blood sugar levels can lead to diabetic nephropathy, which impairs kidney function and may result in kidney failure.
- Vision problems – Diabetes can cause eye problems such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma
- Nerve damage – Elevated blood glucose levels affect the nerves, leading to pain and loss of sensation
Summing Up
Diabetes, a chronic health condition, requires you to pay attention to your diet and lifestyle. You must monitor your blood sugar levels regularly and go for timely health check-ups to manage diabetes well.
