Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a common condition, affecting around 422 million people worldwide. It is responsible for 1.5 million deaths each year.
Diabetes happens when your pancreas cannot produce sufficient insulin or your cells do not respond appropriately to insulin. Insulin is a hormone that acts as a key to your cells, allowing blood glucose to travel from your blood into your cells. In diabetes, this process does not work properly and, as a result, your blood glucose levels can become too high. This has many detrimental effects and can eventually lead to problems throughout the body. There are two main types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes
Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar that can occur when a person is pregnant and typically goes away after pregnancy.
Diabetes type 1.5, also called latent autoimmune diabetes in adults, may be another form of diabetes. However, not all scientists agree that it is different enough from type 1 and type 2 diabetes to be classified as a separate type. Its symptoms overlap with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Common symptoms of diabetes include:
Excessive thirstÂ
Frequent urination
Tiredness
Weight loss
Vision problems
Not everyone with diabetes will experience symptoms, particularly in the early stages. The symptoms of type 1 diabetes usually begin quickly, often over weeks.
However, with type 2 diabetes, the most common form of the disease, symptoms typically develop over several years.Â
Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include:
Excess weight
Not having a healthy diet
Family history of type 2 diabetes
Asian, Black African, or African Caribbean origin
Long-term use of particular medications, such as steroids
High blood pressure
Having previously had gestational diabetes
While type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented with any lifestyle changes, there are things you can do to lower your risk of type 2 diabetes. These include eating well, exercising regularly, managing stress, and maintaining a healthy body weight. It’s also important to take your medicine as prescribed, regularly test your blood sugar, and attend your scheduled checkups.
References
NIDDK. (2024). https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview
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NHS. (2023). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetes/
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WHO. (n.d.). https://www.who.int/health-topics/diabetes#tab=tab_1
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CDC. (2024). https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/index.html
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