If you are looking to learn about diabetes, this article will help. Some symptoms of diabetes include heart disease and kidney and eye problems. You can decrease your risk of developing diabetes by eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight. Regular screenings for diabetes can detect problems early. Here are the causes of diabetes and the symptoms of diabetes. To prevent diabetes, you should always consult your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms.
Insulin pen, diabetic measurement tools and pills - Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya
What is Diabetes?
If you have high blood glucose levels, you may have diabetes. High blood sugar levels harm your body's organs and can cause damage to large and small blood vessels. It also increases your risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack and stroke. The condition can lead to kidney failure or even an irreversible end-stage kidney disease if not treated. The good news is that diabetes is curable, and the risks of complications decrease with proper treatment.
Glucose is a type of sugar that your body produces when you eat. Your pancreas produces a hormone called insulin that helps your body use this glucose for energy. Insulin is produced by the pancreas, an organ located near the stomach. When blood glucose levels get too high, your cells can't utilize the sugar properly, causing severe problems. High blood glucose levels can damage your heart, kidneys, nerves, and eyes. That's why Type 1 diabetics must take medication to control blood glucose levels.
Diabetes Types
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease - your immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas. This type of diabetes is largely preventable, but you can do your part to prevent it by following a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Type 2 diabetes
When your body cannot use insulin to make energy, you will experience symptoms of Type 2 diabetes. Instead of using glucose for energy, it will rely on other sources, resulting in various symptoms. Over time, these symptoms can become more severe and risk developing serious complications.
Prediabetes
Many people aren't aware that they have the condition, but the chances of developing it are significantly increased if you have prediabetes. Prediabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than usual and puts the individual at a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It is estimated that between 5 and 10 percent of the population will develop diabetes at some point during their lifetime, and more than 90% will develop it by age thirty. Lifestyle changes and medications can help people with prediabetes reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes and prevent the condition from worsening.
Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes can develop during pregnancy. You can stop treatment after giving birth, but you should talk to your doctor about your risks and options. Most women with gestational diabetes eventually develop type 2 diabetes after the delivery. There are many ways to prevent and control gestational diabetes, including diet and exercise. Your doctor may also recommend insulin injections or other medicines. Your doctor may also recommend breastfeeding during pregnancy to regulate your weight.
Symptoms
People with diabetes have several physical symptoms that may indicate developing this condition. A person with diabetes may experience dark, velvety patches of skin on the creases of their bodies. They may also experience blurred vision or sensitivity to light. People with diabetes should visit their doctor if these conditions become severe, as diabetes can affect nerves in the feet. Symptoms of diabetes include blurred vision and high blood sugar levels.
Diabetes affects the kidneys, which are responsible for flushing the body of excess glucose. When glucose builds up in the bloodstream, the kidneys produce more urine to flush out the excess glucose. This extra urine causes frequent urination. It also leads to increased thirst, making it more difficult for blood to reach the brain. In addition to frequent urination, patients with diabetes may experience headaches. These symptoms are not only unpleasant but also potentially dangerous for your health.
Causes of Diabetes
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes have different causes. Type 1 diabetes results from an autoimmune disorder in which your immune system destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Certain factors, including viral infections, may be involved in developing Type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, results from a combination of genetics and lifestyle factors. Excess weight and unhealthy diets increase your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
People with diabetes are often unaware of the causes and symptoms. For example, some people develop diabetes due to poor diet or food insecurity. Other people may develop diabetes due to their ethnic background or a family history of the disease. Regardless of the cause, early detection and treatment are essential for optimal blood sugar control and diabetes management. Here are a few common causes and symptoms. A doctor can also prescribe an insulin pump to control blood sugar levels.
Western diets and lifestyles are driving the rising number of people with diabetes. The World Health Organization predicts that the number of cases worldwide will double by 2025. The incidence of obesity-driven diabetes is also rising in children and young adults. It can be deadly, so early diagnosis is critical. Researchers are trying to determine the causes and how to reverse these trends. There are some causes and symptoms that are preventable. Some are preventable, some are lifestyle choices, and others cannot be prevented.
Risk Factors
People with certain conditions, such as gestational diabetes or high blood pressure, are at higher risk of developing diabetes. Other factors that increase diabetes risk include family history, physical stress, and exposure to certain viruses. Low HDL cholesterol, high triglyceride levels, high blood pressure, and age over 25 years are all risk factors for diabetes. People with these conditions are also at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is more common among members of minority groups than in whites. For example, healthcare inequities and low education levels have been linked to increased type 2 diabetes risk in minorities. Minorities may be more susceptible to diabetes risk due to inequities in access to healthcare and poor drug testing. While diabetes is a chronic disease, regular physical activity can prevent muscle loss associated with the disease.
Complications of Diabetes
People with diabetes experience many complications, including cardiovascular disease, nephropathy, neuropathy, and foot ulcers. Properly managed diabetes can delay these complications and even prevent them from occurring.
Heart disease is one of the most common diabetes complications, but there are ways to prevent it before it becomes a problem. Doctors will perform various tests to check for heart disease and prevent serious health problems. A blood pressure measurement, known as a BP test, is a common way for doctors to monitor heart health. A blood sample is also taken from the arm to determine LDL cholesterol levels and triglycerides.
Diabetes can cause nerve damage, leading to pain, tingling, and numbness in affected areas. Likewise, diabetes can cause erectile dysfunction in men.
Uncontrolled diabetes can cause damage to blood vessels and hinder the healing process. This makes areas of the body farthest from the heart most susceptible to infection. Amputations may be necessary if nerve damage develops. Various types of diabetes also affect the feet and legs. Several of these conditions may lead to vision loss. Further, a person may develop diabetes at any age. Those with diabetes need to consult a physician if symptoms are a concern.
Treatment
Treatment options for those diagnosed with diabetes include medications, diet, and exercise. In addition to these methods, patients with type 2 diabetes may receive insulin injections or a pump to help regulate their blood sugar. Those who cannot change their diet or exercise routines may be prescribed an oral drug known as metformin. This medication reduces the production of sugar by the liver, making tissues more sensitive to insulin. Insulin-like drugs, or SGLT2 inhibitors, prevent the body from reabsorbing sugar through the kidneys.
Another class of diabetes drugs, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, block glucose absorption from the blood by inhibiting a protein called glucagon. This action results in increased glucose excretion through the urine, lowering blood sugar. Moreover, SGLT2 inhibitors are FDA-approved for people with type 2 diabetes. However, these medications tend to suppress appetite, making them less suitable for patients with overweight or obese conditions.
If metformin and insulin therapy does not work, people with type 1 diabetes may be candidates for a pancreas transplant. A successful transplant will eliminate the need for insulin therapy. However, this procedure carries serious risks, and patients must take immunosuppressive drugs for life. Patients are advised to choose the treatment option after carefully considering the risks and benefits. There are many ways to treat diabetes. You should consult with a doctor if you are considering surgery.
Diabetes prevention
Diabetes prevention starts at the cellular level. The body produces insulin to regulate blood sugar levels, and long periods of sedentary activity are linked to diabetes. A 12-month diabetes prevention program did not reduce sitting time. If you are at risk for type 2 diabetes, you may be prescribed diabetes medicines to control it. A regular physical exam by your doctor is essential for prevention. Having your blood sugar level checked regularly and following the doctor's advice are other ways to reduce your risk.
A new study, the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), is changing how people prevent and control type 2 diabetes. The DPP Outcomes Study, sponsored by the NIDDK, shows that people at high risk for type 2 diabetes can delay the onset of the disease through diet changes and increased physical activity. This new study also found that metformin, a generic diabetes medicine, delayed the start of the disease to a lesser extent than lifestyle changes.
This CDC-led program aims to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by half in people with prediabetes. The program consists of eight sessions where a trained lifestyle coach works with participants to improve lifestyle skills, such as exercising, healthy eating, and managing stress. Throughout the program, participants must lose five to seven percent of their total body weight and increase their physical activity to 150 minutes per week. The sessions take place weekly for 16 weeks over the first six months and then monthly for another six months.
