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What is Diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus is the most common disorder of the endocrine (hormone) system and occurs when blood sugar levels consistently stay above normal. It affects more than 21 million people in the United States.
Diabetes is brought on by either too little insulin in the body (type 1 diabetes) or by the body not responding to the effects of insulin (type 2 diabetes). Insulin is one of the main hormones that regulates blood sugar levels and allows the body to use sugar (glucose) for energy.
Pre-Diabetes
Pre-diabetes, also known as "impaired glucose tolerance," is an extremely common condition. In the United States, 54 million people over age 20 have blood glucose levels that are higher than normal (pre-diabetes), but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. While people with pre-diabetes usually have no symptoms, it's almost always present before a person develops type 2 diabetes. Complications such as heart disease can begin to develop even when a person has only pre-diabetes.
By identifying the signs of pre-diabetes before diabetes occurs, you can prevent progression to type 2 diabetes and lower the risk of complications associated with this condition.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes occurs because the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas (beta cells) are destroyed by the immune system. People with type 1 diabetes produce no insulin and must use insulin injections. Type 1 diabetes most commonly starts in people under the age of 20, but may occur at any age
Type 2 Diabetes
With type 2 diabetes, the body continues to produce insulin, although production may decrease over time. The insulin the pancreas secretes with type 2 diabetes is either not enough or the body is unable to use it properly. When there isn't enough insulin or the insulin is not used properly, glucose can't get into the body's cells.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, affecting almost 18 million Americans. It remains the leading cause of diabetes-related complications such as blindness, non-traumatic amputations and chronic kidney failure.
Type 2 diabetes usually occurs in people over age 40 who are overweight, but can occur in people who are not overweight. Sometimes referred to as "adult-onset diabetes," type 2 diabetes has started to appear more often in children because of the rise in obesity in young people.
Some people can manage their type 2 diabetes by controlling their weight, watching their diet, and exercising. Others may also need to take a pill that helps their body use insulin better or use insulin injections.
Doctors are often able to detect the likelihood of type 2 diabetes before the condition actually occurs. Referred to as pre-diabetes, this condition occurs when a person's blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is triggered by pregnancy. Hormone changes during pregnancy can affect insulin's ability to work properly. The condition occurs in approximately 4% of all pregnancies.
Pregnant women who have an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes are those who are over 25 years old, above their normal body weight before pregnancy, and have a family history of diabetes or are Hispanic, black, Native American, or Asian.
Screening for gestational diabetes is performed during pregnancy. Left untreated, gestational diabetes increases the risk of complications to both the mother and her unborn child.
Usually, blood glucose levels return to normal within six weeks of childbirth. However, women who have had gestational diabetes have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later-in-life.
What Are the Symptoms of Diabetes?
The symptoms of type 1 diabetes often occur suddenly and can be severe. They include:
- Increased thirst
- Increased hunger (especially after eating)
- Dry mouth
- Frequent urination
- Unexplained weight loss (even though you are eating and feel hungry)
- Fatigue (weak, tired feeling)
- Blurred vision
- Labored, heavy breathing (Kussmaul respirations)
- Loss of consciousness (rare)
The symptoms of type 2 diabetes can be the same. Most often there are no symptoms or a very gradual development of symptoms. Additional symptoms may include:
- Slow-healing sores or cuts
- Itching of the skin (usually in the vaginal or groin area)
- Yeast infections
- Recent weight gain
- Numbness or tingling of the hands and feet
- Impotence or erectile dysfunction
With gestational diabetes, there are often no symptoms. If you do have symptoms, they might include:
- Increased thirst
- Increased urination
- Increased hunger
- Blurred vision
Pregnancy causes most women to have to urinate more often and to feel hungrier, so having these symptoms doesn't necessarily mean you have gestational diabetes. It's important to get tested however, because high blood sugar can cause problems for both you and your baby.
How Is Diabetes Treated?
At the present time, diabetes can't be cured, but it can be treated and controlled. The goals of managing diabetes are to:
- Keep your blood glucose levels as near to normal as possible by balancing food intake with diabetes medication and physical activity.
- Maintain your blood cholesterol and triglyceride (lipid) levels as near their normal ranges as possible by decreasing the total amount of fat to 30% or less of your total daily calories and by reducing saturated fat and cholesterol.
- Control your blood pressure. Your blood pressure should not go over 130/80.
- Slow or possibly prevent the development of diabetes-related health problems.
You can manage your diabetes by:
- Planning what you eat and following a balanced meal plan
- Exercising regularly
- Taking medicine, if prescribed, and closely following the guidelines on how and when to take it
- Monitoring your blood glucose and blood pressure levels at home
- Keeping your appointments with your health care providers and having laboratory tests as ordered by your doctor
Only 5-10% of diabetes are the type 1 genetic type. The rest are type 2 and come about through poor lifestyle choices. Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and keeping your weight down are proven ways to mitigate your risk of developing diabetes.
More Resources
American Diabetes Association
WebMD Diabetes Health Center
Diabetes Treatment
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