diabetes

diabetes, otherwise known as diabetes mellitus, is a group of diseases that develop when the body’s ability to use glucose (blood sugar) is compromised. there are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational.

type 1 diabetes is currently considered an autoimmune disease, which is a type of disease that develops when the body’s own immune system attacks healthy tissues and cells instead. in type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks cells in the pancreas produce insulin, the hormone that helps the body process and use glucose. type 1 diabetes can develop at any age, but the onset typically starts between the ages of four and six or in the early stages of puberty. this type of diabetes cannot be prevented.

type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that often starts out as insulin resistance. insulin resistance occurs when the body does not use the insulin released by the pancreas effectively, leading to the production of more insulin to help regulate blood sugar levels. eventually, the pancreas it can’t keep up with the high demand for insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels. type diabetes can occur at any age, and is largely preventable with lifestyle changes once someone becomes aware of their insulin resistance status.

gestational diabetes is a form of the condition that develops in those who are pregnant. it affects blood sugar levels and the way the body uses insulin in the same way as other forms of diabetes, but is closer to type 2 because there is no autoimmune aspect to it. it develops in pregnancy because of insulin-blocking hormones that are produced during that time.

all three types of diabetes will cause some similar symptoms to develop, including:
• excessive thirst and hunger
• frequent urination
• drowsiness or fatigue
• dry and itchy skin
• blurry vision
• wounds that are slow to heal

other symptoms of diabetes may only develop based on the type a person has. for example, people with type 2 diabetes may also develop discoloured patches of skin in the folds of the armpits or neck. pain and numbness may also occur in type 2 diabetes because it takes longer to be diagnosed with the condition, leading to more severe symptoms developing.

on the other hand, type 1 diabetes is often quicker to diagnose and cause other symptoms, such as weight loss or a condition driven by excessively high blood sugar and no insulin, known as diabetic ketoacidosis.

over time, people living with diabetes, especially undiagnosed diabetes, may experience various complications. these complications can be severe in nature and include vessel disease, eye problems, infections, skin conditions, nerve and kidney damage. the condition can also increase the risk of someone developing other diseases, including alzheimer’s.

complications in gestational diabetes can differ from type 1 and 2, and include high blood pressure, preeclampsia, miscarriage, stillbirth, or birth defects.

other possible complications of diabetes include low blood sugar from treatment and a life-threatening condition known as hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome, which is characterized by such high blood sugar that the blood becomes thick and syrup-like.

diagnosing diabetes often involves a collection of symptoms and blood tests that check for high blood sugar levels. these tests are often done after fasting, and then again after drinking a sugary drink, to determine base blood sugar levels as well as how the body uses blood sugar following the consumption of something with sugar. another blood test is used to check blood sugar levels over a period of two to three months. this is known as the a1c test. the final blood test used is known as a random blood test and is conducted at random.

once diagnosed, treating diabetes is crucial to reduce the risk of complications. people living with all types have to manage their blood sugar levels similarly. treatment involves:
• monitoring blood sugar levels
• taking oral or injectable diabetes drugs (metformin) or insulin to mitigate high blood sugar levels
• frequent blood sugar tests
• a pancreas transplant (only necessary in some people with type 1 diabetes)
• weight loss
• lifestyle changes, such as eating healthier and exercising more
• avoiding excessive alcohol consumption
• monitoring and managing stress levels

there is no way to prevent type 1 diabetes, but a person can lower their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by keeping a healthy weight and eating a nutrient-rich diet. people can also lower their risk by avoiding smoking and eating foods with high triglycerides.

there is no cure for type 1 diabetes, but type diabetes can be reversed with the right treatment approach. for gestational diabetes, the condition typically resolves itself once the baby is born. that said, people with gestational diabetes are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes following the pregnancy.

living with diabetes can be challenging, and research continues to look for new ways to treat all types of the condition to help improve the quality of life of those living with type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.