Diabetes is a condition that affects people of all ages. It comes in many forms, but the two most common types are Diabetes Type 1 and 2. Generally, both types are manageable, and the people that suffer from them can live normal and fulfilling lives.
What Is Diabetes?
With diabetes, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, produces none at all, or your body isn’t affected by insulin normally. This lack of insulin causes glucose to build up in your bloodstream, which causes high blood sugar levels, known as hyperglycemia. This can cause issues over time, including heart disease, nerve damage, and eye problems.
How Common Is Diabetes?
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 38.4 million people of all ages in the U.S. had diabetes in 2021, which is 11.6% of the U.S. population. The prevalence increases with age, with 14.7% of adults afflicted and 29.2% of those over age 65.
Most cases, estimated at 90% to 95%, are Type 2 diabetes.
Causes of Diabetes
The excess glucose in the bloodstream that causes diabetes has several different causes depending on the type of diabetes.
Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance is when cells in the liver, fat, and muscles don’t respond properly to insulin. This is generally the cause of Type 2 diabetes and can be caused by obesity, a poor diet, lack of physical activity, genetics, hormonal imbalances, or certain medications.
Autoimmune Disease
With an autoimmune disease, the immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. This is often the cause of Type 1 diabetes.
Hormonal Imbalances
This is most common during pregnancy when the placenta releases hormones that create insulin resistance. If the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to combat the resistance, gestational diabetes occurs. A few other hormone related conditions can also cause Type 2 diabetes.
Pancreatic Damage
Injury, surgery, or certain conditions can cause damage to the pancreas and affect insulin production, causing diabetes.
Genetic Mutations
Certain genetic mutations can cause a few different types of diabetes.
Symptoms of Diabetes
Symptoms of diabetes can vary based on the type of diabetes. Common symptoms include:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
- Slow healing wounds
- Frequent skin infections or vaginal yeast infections
Complications of Diabetes
Complications of diabetes can be acute, requiring immediate medical attention, or there can be long-term complications.
Acute complications include:
Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state: Blood sugar levels become very high, leading to dehydration and confusion. This complication occurs mainly with Type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes-related ketoacidosis (DKA): DKA occurs when the body doesn’t have enough insulin and glucose can’t be used for energy. Fat is broken down instead for energy, but this eventually leads to the release of ketones, which makes the blood acidic, causing labored breathing, vomiting, and loss of consciousness. This occurs mainly with Type 1 diabetes.
Hypoglycemia (severely low blood sugar): When the blood sugar drops too low, it can cause blurred vision or double vision, clumsiness, disorientation, or seizures. People who use insulin are at the highest risk for this complication.
When damage to the body occurs from diabetes over the long term, it can lead to other complications including:
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart attack
- Atherosclerosis
- Stroke
- Nerve damage
- Nephropathy which can lead to kidney failure
- Foot conditions
- Retinopathy which can cause blindness
- Amputations
- Skin infections
- Gastroparesis
- Hearing loss
- Gum disease
- Sexual dysfunction
Diabetes Treatment
Diabetes is generally managed in several ways, depending on the type and the individual situation.
Blood sugar monitoring: Patients need to know their blood sugar to know how to manage it. Ways to monitor blood sugar include a glucose meter and finger stick, or a continuous glucose monitor.
Oral medications: These medications manage blood sugar levels and are commonly taken by people with Type 2 diabetes.
Insulin injections: Different types of synthetic insulin can be injected depending on the patient’s needs.
Diet: A healthy diet and the proper management of carbohydrate intake are an important part of diabetes management. Your doctor can help with information on a balanced diet that’s right for you.
Exercise: Exercise can help to reduce insulin resistance.
It’s also important to control weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
Diabetes Prevention
While some types of diabetes can’t be prevented, Type 2 diabetes in particular may be preventable by taking proper care of yourself. Maintain a healthy diet, exercise, and keep your weight at a healthy level. Also get enough sleep and try to manage your stress levels.
You should also avoid alcohol and smoking. Alcohol can lead to problems with the pancreas such as inflammation, and smoking can increase blood sugar levels and lead to insulin resistance.
Don’t Ignore the Signs
Diabetes affects a large number of people. If you have any symptoms of diabetes, do not hesitate to see your doctor. While diabetes can be a frightening diagnosis, it is manageable and doesn’t have to impact your quality of life. You’ll just have to exercise diligence in following the management plan that your doctor recommends and take good care of yourself. Diabetes does not have to define you.