What constitutes diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition characterized by dysfunction in the production or regulation of the hormone insulin by the body. It is sometimes referred to as diabetes mellitus. Typically, the pancreas, an organ located posterior to the stomach, secretes insulin to facilitate the storage and utilization of sugars and fats derived from consumed food.
Diabetes occurs due to one of the following reasons:
- Your pancreas fails to produce insulin.
- Your pancreas produces less insulin
- Your body exhibits inadequate responsiveness to insulin, a condition known as “insulin resistance.”
Diabetes is a chronic condition. Approximately 38.4 million Americans are afflicted with the disease, with almost one quarter, or roughly 8.7 million, being unaware of their condition. An extra 97.6 million individuals are diagnosed with prediabetes. Currently, no cure exists. Individuals with diabetes must regulate their condition to maintain health.
Diabetics and Insulin
Understanding how your body uses food for energy helps explain why insulin is vital in diabetes. Your body has millions of cells. These cells need basic food for energy. Much of everything you eat and drink is broken down into “glucose.” Then, glucose travels via your bloodstream to your cells to supply energy for daily activities.
Insulin controls blood glucose. Your pancreas releases little amounts of insulin constantly. When blood glucose levels rise, the pancreas releases more insulin to drive glucose into cells. Your blood glucose drops. Your body alerts you to eat and releases liver glucose to prevent hypoglycemia.
Diabetes causes high blood sugar because the body doesn’t manufacture insulin or its cells are resistant to it. After fasting overnight, diabetes is defined as 126 mg/dL or higher blood glucose.
Types of Diabetes
Type-1 diabetes
The immune system destroys beta cells, which produce insulin, causing type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetics need insulin shots since they make none. Symptoms typically appear in those under 20 but can occur at any age.
Type-2 diabetes
People with type 2 diabetes make insulin, unlike type 1. But either it’s not enough or their body is insulin-resistant. If not enough glucose enters cells, it builds up in the bloodstream.
Over 36 million Americans have type 2 diabetes, the most common type. It causes most diabetes complications like blindness, amputations, and dialysis/chronic kidney failure. Type 2 diabetes mainly affects overweight persons over 40, however it can also affect non-obese people. Due to childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes, sometimes known as “adult-onset diabetes,” is becoming more common in youngsters.
Losing weight, eating well, and exercising can help some people manage type 2 diabetes. Other people may need insulin injections or a tablet to improve insulin usage.
Prediabetes
In the U.S., 97.6 million persons have elevated blood sugar but not diabetes. Impairment of glucose tolerance is prediabetes. Before developing type 2 diabetes, prediabetes is virtually always present, even without symptoms. Even prediabetes can cause heart disease.
Check with your doctor about prediabetes testing. You may prevent type 2 diabetes and consequences.
Gestational Diabetes
Pregnancy causes diabetes. Insulin function might be affected by pregnancy hormones. It affects around 9% of pregnancies.
If you’re over 25, overweight before pregnancy, have a family history of diabetes, or are Hispanic, Black, Native American, or Asian, you may develop gestational diabetes.
Tests for gestational diabetes are done throughout pregnancy. Untreated elevated blood sugar might cause issues for you and your child.
Blood sugar levels usually normalize within 6 weeks following postpartum. However, gestational diabetes raises your chance of type 2 diabetes later in life.
Type-3 diabetes
Some researchers believe Alzheimer’s disease is type 3 diabetes, a brain-affecting diabetes. They cite cerebral insulin resistance in Alzheimer’s patients. However, most doctors don’t use the word and the link is unproven.
Other diabetes kinds
Less common diabetes types include:
Monogeneic diabetes. Different kinds of diabetes induced by gene mutations from one or both parents are included. Baby diabetes is called neonatal diabetes mellitus. Maturity-onset diabetes of the young affects older children and young adults.
Type 3c Diabetes. A pancreatic removal or injury can cause this.
Other forms can result from steroid use, cystic fibrosis, or rare genetic diseases.
Symptoms of Diabetes
The symptoms of type 1 diabetes frequently manifest abruptly and can be severe. They consist of:
- Enhanced thirst
- Enhanced appetite
- Lack of salivation
- Urinating more frequently than usual
- Continuous weight loss without explanation
- Fatigue is characterized by a sense of exhaustion and weakness.
- Seeing things obscured
- Breathing that is labored and weighty
- Absence of cognizance (uncommon)
The symptoms of type 2 diabetes may be similar to those of type 1. The aforementioned symptoms typically manifest at a sluggish pace or do not manifest at all. Additional symptoms may encompass:
- Sores or cuts that are slow to recover
- Itchy epidermis, typically located in the vaginal or groin region
- Itching
- Infections caused by yeast
- Hands and ankles that are numb or tingly
- Erectile dysfunction or impotence
Gestational diabetes frequently manifests without symptoms. Alternatively, you may observe:
- Increased thirst Increased discharge
- Additional appetite
- Seeing things obscured
Gestational diabetes is not always indicated by symptoms such as increased thirst and hunger, which are common during pregnancy. However, it is crucial to undergo testing in order to prevent complications for both you and your infant.
Diabetic Testing
Test for the disease if you have symptoms. If you’re high-risk, your doctor may recommend screening. If you’re overweight or obese and 35–70 years old, the USPSTF advises screening.
Diabetes is diagnosed by testing blood glucose. Two days of high levels are usually required for diagnosis. Measure your blood sugar to manage the condition. Different tests are employed.
HbA1c test
This test calculates your 2- to 3-month blood sugar average. Diabetes is diagnosed at 6.5% or higher. Between 5.7% to 6.4% is prediabetes. Regular tests will assess your treatment’s efficacy.
The fasting blood sugar test
Before your blood is drawn, you can only drink water for 8 hours. Diabetes occurs at 126 mg/dL or higher. Between 100-125 mg/dL indicates prediabetes.
Random blood sugar test
This test can be done anytime, regardless of eating. If you have diabetic symptoms and doctors think a fasting test is too risky, you may get it. With this test, 200 mg/dL is too high.
Glucose tolerance Test
You must fast for 8 hours before this 2-hour test. After blood draws, you consume a delicious beverage. Your blood is drawn again at 1 and 2 hours to compare how your body handles sugar. A 2-hour result above 200 mg/dL indicates diabetes. Between 140 and 199 mg/dL indicates prediabetes. A non-fasting variation of this test can screen for gestational diabetes. High results mean a more complete test.
Autoantibody test
This blood test detects immune system proteins that suggest type 1 diabetes, not type 2. A high blood sugar test or a parent or sibling with the condition may cause it.
Urine ketone test
With diabetes, you may need to test your urine for ketones. When it uses fat instead of glucose for fuel, your body generates these. Insulin deficiency can cause this. Ketones in urine indicate ketoacidosis, which requires prompt treatment.
Pee in a cup and dip a particular paper strip into it to take the test. The paper changes color to indicate ketones.
Treatment for Diabetes
Diabetes cannot be cured, but it can be treated and managed. The objectives of diabetic care are to:
- Aim to maintain blood sugar levels within a specific range.
- Keep your blood triglyceride and cholesterol levels within normal ranges.
- Keep your blood pressure under control. Don’t let your blood pressure get above 130/80.
- Delay or even stop the onset of health issues associated with diabetes.
The type of diabetes you have determines the treatment you will receive. It usually involves a mix of medications, dietary approaches, and changes in lifestyle.
It’s really important to monitor your blood sugar levels as part of your treatment. Individuals with type 1 diabetes, along with some who have type 2, have to check their blood sugar multiple times each day to ensure it remains in the target range and to respond if it goes too high or too low. You can check your blood sugar by either pricking your finger to get a tiny drop of blood or by using a monitor that continuously measures your blood sugar through your skin.
Individuals who have prediabetes or certain cases of type 2 diabetes typically require blood tests during their checkups, which could happen once or multiple times throughout the year.
Medications for diabetes
You might need to take your medication multiple times throughout the day, or follow a daily or weekly routine for it.
Insulin. Individuals with type 1 diabetes and certain individuals with type 2 diabetes utilize insulin to facilitate glucose absorption by their cells. This drug is administered subcutaneously using a needle and syringe or a specialized pen. Your physician will instruct you on the timing and frequency of insulin administration, typically prior to meals. Additionally, one could utilize a pump that administers a continuous dosage throughout the day. Insulin is safe for individuals with gestational diabetes.
Oral medications. Numerous individuals with type 2 diabetes administer oral medicine once or twice daily. You may utilize a combination of multiple types. These are some of the most prevalent:
- Metformin reduces hepatic glucose production and enhances insulin sensitivity.
- Sulfonylureas facilitate increased insulin production in the body.
- Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors assist the kidneys in excreting glucose from the bloodstream.
- Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors elevate the levels of a naturally occurring hormone that signals the body to secrete insulin.
- Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) enhance the body’s insulin use.
Other oral drugs facilitate digestion by inhibiting the breakdown of carbohydrates, hence maintaining stable blood sugar levels.
GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists. Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide are endogenous hormones that stimulate insulin secretion, decelerate gastric emptying, and convey satiety signals to the brain.
These medications reduce blood sugar by mimicking hormones. Some medications are pills, while others are injected under the skin weekly or daily. The FDA-approved type 2 diabetes GLP-1 receptor agonists are:
- Dulaglutide
- Exenatide
- Liraglutide
- Lixisenatide
- Semaglutide
- The only approved dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist is tirzepatide.
Other drugs. Your doctor may prescribe blood pressure, cholesterol, or low-dose aspirin to prevent diabetes complications.
Diet and diabetes
What and when you consume affects blood glucose levels. Sweets, soft drinks, and refined carbohydrates like white bread digest fast and raise blood sugar. Skipping meals can lower blood sugar too low.
Type 1 diabetics must understand how food and drink affect blood sugar to get the proper quantity of insulin to stay in target. The doctor will teach you to track nutrition, especially carbs, and modify insulin doses.
Diabetes and prediabetes patients can control their blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure, and weight with a nutritious diet. That includes:
- Non-starchy vegetables and fruits
- Whole grains
- Lean meats and dairy
- Vitamin, mineral, calcium, protein, fiber, and healthy fat-rich foods
Limit or avoid these:
- Sweetened meals and drinks
- Alcohol
- Saturated fat, sodium, refined grains
Diabetes & exercise
Physical activity improves insulin usage, lowering blood sugar. Weight management, blood pressure, and cholesterol reduction are also benefits.
Doctors prescribe 30 minutes of moderate exercise 5 days a week and 2 days of strength training. Swimming, dancing, or vigorous walking are examples. Choose an exercise routine you’ll love and stick with, and consult your doctor beforehand.
Diabetes home remedies
Your diabetes is under your control. Control your blood sugar and avoid issues with these steps:
- Stick to your treatment.
- Attend doctor’s and lab tests regularly.
- Check your blood sugar and pressure at home.
- Check for foot, gum, and eye issues.
- Since high blood sugar affects your immune system, get flu, RSV, and COVID-19 vaccines.
- Overweight people should lose weight.
- Stop smoking.
- Reduce stress.
- Plan for low blood sugar emergency.
Remember: Daily habits affect blood sugar more than medical visits every few months.
Diabetes Prevention: How?
You can’t avoid type 1 diabetes, but lifestyle modifications can lessen your chance of type 2.
- Eating lots of fruits, veggies, and whole grains is beneficial.
- Avoid sugary, calorie-laden foods and drinks.
- Be active. Try 30 minutes of aerobics five days a week.
- Overweight people should lose weight.
- High-risk individuals should get their blood sugar analyzed.
Takeaways
In diabetes, the body has trouble manufacturing or using insulin. Too much glucose in the blood might create major health issues. Losing weight, exercising, and eating well can lessen your risk of type 2 diabetes, the most prevalent type. Consult your doctor for a screening blood sugar test.
Diabetes FAQs
Is it possible to reverse diabetes?
Type 2 diabetics can drop their blood sugar to normal levels. Doctors term it remission. It frequently involves weight loss. Type 2 diabetes can return. No one can reverse type 1 diabetes.
Do I need insulin forever for type 2 diabetes?
Not necessarily. Insulin can temporarily drop blood sugar for some people. Diet, exercise, weight loss, and other drugs may lower blood glucose levels enough to quit insulin.
Do sugary beverages cause diabetes?
Not directly, but a 2019 study indicated that drinking 4 ounces of sugar-sweetened liquids, including soft drinks and juice, daily increased the risk of type 2 diabetes. Sugar from any source boosts blood sugar. High blood sugar reduces insulin sensitivity over time.
How can I quickly eliminate sugar?
Taking fast-acting insulin, drinking water, and exercising helps decrease blood sugar quickly. If your blood sugar is high, test your urine for ketones before exercising. Ketoacidosis is harmful. Do you need emergency care? Call your doctor.