What is diabetes?
It is a disease that causes high blood sugar. The hormone insulin transports sugar from the blood into cells to be stored or used for energy.
In diabetes, the body either does not produce enough insulin or cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.
There are several different types of diabetes:
1. Type 1 diabetes
It is an autoimmune disease. The immune system attacks and destroys cells in the pancreas, where they make insulin. The reason for this attack is not clear. About 10 percent of people with diabetes have this type.
2. Type 2 diabetes: When the body becomes resistant to insulin and sugar builds up in the blood.
3. Pre-diabetes: When blood sugar is higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
4. Gestational diabetes: High blood sugar level during pregnancy.
Diabetes symptoms
It is caused by high blood sugar.
General symptoms
Common symptoms of diabetes include:
increased hunger
increased thirst
weight loss
frequent urination
blurry vision
extreme tiredness
Sores that don't heal
Gestational diabetes
Most women with gestational diabetes have no symptoms. The condition is often discovered during a routine blood sugar test or oral glucose tolerance test that is usually performed during a pregnancy review.
In rare cases, a woman with gestational diabetes experiences increased thirst or urination.
Diabetes causes
Type 1 diabetes
Doctors don't know exactly what causes type 1 diabetes. For some reason, the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.
Genes may play a role in some people. It is also possible for the virus to attack the immune system.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes stems from a combination of genetics and lifestyle factors. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of infection, making cells more resistant to the effect of insulin on blood sugar.
Family members share genes that make them more likely to develop type 2 diabetes
Causes of gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes occurs as a result of hormonal changes during pregnancy. The placenta produces hormones that make a pregnant woman's cells less sensitive to the effect of insulin. This can cause high blood sugar during pregnancy.
Women who are overweight during pregnancy are more likely to develop gestational diabetes.
Diabetes risk factors
There are certain factors that increase the risk of developing diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes
The risk of developing type 1 diabetes increases in children and adolescents, or if a parent or sibling has this condition, or if the person carries certain genes linked to the disease.
Type 2 diabetes
The risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases when:
They are overweight
Is 45 years old or older
Has a parent or sibling with this condition
They are not physically active
A woman who had gestational diabetes
They have prediabetes
You have high blood pressure or high cholesterol
Gestational diabetes
The risk of gestational diabetes is increased for women who:
They are overweight
over 25
They had gestational diabetes during their previous pregnancy
gave birth to a baby weighing more than 4 kg
Have a family history of type 2 diabetes
have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Diabetes complications
High blood sugar damages organs and tissues throughout the body. The higher your blood sugar level and the longer you live with it, the higher the risk of complications.
Complications associated with diabetes include:
Heart disease, heart attack, and stroke
neuropathy
nephropathy
Retinopathy and vision loss
Hearing loss
Foot damage such as infections and sores that do not heal
Skin diseases such as bacterial and fungal infections
depression
Gestational diabetes complications
Uncontrolled gestational diabetes can lead to problems that affect both the mother and the baby. Complications affecting the baby can include:
premature birth
Higher than normal birth weight
Increased risk of type 2 diabetes later in life
low blood sugar
jaundice
The mother can develop complications such as high blood pressure (preeclampsia) or type 2 diabetes, and she may also need a cesarean delivery.
The mother's risk of gestational diabetes increases in future pregnancies.
Diabetes treatment
Doctors treat diabetes with different medications. Some of these medications are taken orally, while others are available as an injection.
Type 1 diabetes
Insulin is the main treatment for type 1 diabetes. It replaces the hormone that the body cannot produce
There are four types of insulin most commonly used. They are distinguished by how quickly they start working, and how long their effect lasts:
1. Rapid-acting insulin: starts to work within 15 minutes and its effects last for 3 to 4 hours.
2. Short-acting insulin: begins to work within 30 minutes and lasts 6 to 8 hours.
3. Intermediate-acting insulin: starts working within 1 to 2 hours and lasts 12 to 18 hours.
4. Long-acting insulin: It starts working a few hours after injection and lasts 24 hours or longer.
Type 2 diabetes
Diet and exercise can help some people with it. If lifestyle changes aren't enough to lower blood sugar, you'll need to take one or more medications on the schedule.
Some people with type 2 diabetes also take insulin
Gestational diabetes treatment
A pregnant woman will need to monitor her blood sugar level several times a day during pregnancy. If it is high, dietary changes and exercise may or may not be enough to reduce it.
Women with gestational diabetes may need pills or insulin to lower blood sugar. Insulin is safe for a growing baby.
Diabetes and diet
Healthy eating is an essential part of diabetes treatment. A change in diet may be enough to control the disease.
Type 1 diabetes
The level of blood sugar rises or falls depending on the types of foods.
Starchy or sugary foods raise blood sugar quickly, while protein and fat increase gradually.
It may be recommended that you limit your carbohydrate intake each day, and also balance your carbohydrate intake with your insulin dose.
A dietitian can help design a diabetes meal plan. The right balance of protein, fats and carbohydrates helps control blood sugar.
Type 2 diabetes
Eating the right kinds of foods can control your blood sugar and help you lose extra weight.
Carbohydrate counting is an important part of treating type 2 diabetes. A dietitian can help you figure out how many grams of carbohydrate to eat at each meal.
To keep blood sugar levels steady, try eating small meals throughout the day. Focus on healthy foods such as:
fruit
vegetables
whole grains
Lean proteins such as poultry and fish
Healthy fats like olive oil and nuts
Diagnosis of diabetes
Diabetes is diagnosed by measuring the level of glucose in the blood and the cumulative sugar (glycated haemoglobin):
When fasting ≥ 7
Without fasting ≥ 11.1 (with symptoms)
Cumulative sugar (glycated haemoglobin) ≥ 6.5%
Diagnosed with pre-diabetes:
When fasting 5.6 - 6.9
Without fasting 7.8 - 11
Cumulative sugar (glycated haemoglobin) 6 - 6.4%
Diabetes prevention
Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented because it is caused by a problem with the immune system. Some causes of type 2 diabetes, such as genes or age, aren't under your control either.
However, many diabetes risk factors can be controlled.
Most diabetes prevention strategies involve making simple modifications to your diet and fitness routine.
If you are diagnosed with prediabetes, there are some things that can be done to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes.
Get at least 150 minutes per week of aerobic exercise, such as walking or cycling.
Eliminate saturated fats and refined carbohydrates from your diet.
Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Eat smaller amounts.
Maintain a healthy weight
Conclusion
Some types of diabetes, such as type 1, are caused by factors beyond your control, and others, such as type 2, can be prevented through better food choices, increased activity, and weight loss.
Discuss potential diabetes risks with your doctor, and if you are at risk, check your blood sugar and follow tips for controlling your blood sugar.
