Diabetes: A Comprehensive Guide
1. Definition
Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. It is characterized by high blood glucose (blood sugar) levels.
2. Types
There are several types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes: Results from the body's failure to produce insulin, and requires daily administration of insulin.
- Type 2 diabetes: Results from insulin resistance, where cells fail to use insulin properly, and can often be managed with lifestyle changes and medications.
- Gestational diabetes: Occurs during pregnancy and may resolve after childbirth, but increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later.
- Other specific types: Includes monogenic diabetes (genetic defects of beta-cell function) and secondary diabetes (due to other medical conditions or medications).
3. Causes & Risk Factors
The causes and risk factors for diabetes include:
- Family history of diabetes
- Overweight or obesity
- Physical inactivity
- Poor diet (high in processed foods, sugars, and fats)
- Insulin resistance
- Age (risk increases with age)
- Gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- High blood pressure
- Abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels
- History of cardiovascular disease
4. Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of diabetes involves:
- Insufficient insulin production (type 1 diabetes)
- Insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction (type 2 diabetes)
- Increased glucose production by the liver
- Impaired insulin action in muscle and fat cells
5. Symptoms
Common symptoms of diabetes include:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Extreme hunger
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Slow-healing sores
- Frequent infections
6. Diagnosis
Diagnosing diabetes involves:
- Measurement of fasting blood glucose levels
- Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)
- Random blood glucose test
- Measurement of HbA1c levels (average blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 months)
7. Management & Treatment
Management and treatment of diabetes include:
- Lifestyle modifications: Healthy eating, regular physical activity, weight management, and blood glucose monitoring.
- Medications: Insulin, oral medications (e.g., metformin, sulfonylureas, DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists).
- Insulin therapy: Essential for people with type 1 diabetes and may be necessary for some people with type 2 diabetes.
8. Transmission
Diabetes is not contagious and cannot be transmitted from person to person.
9. Complications
Complications of diabetes include:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Kidney disease (diabetic nephropathy)
- Eye damage (retinopathy)
- Nerve damage (neuropathy)
- Foot damage (diabetic foot)
- Skin conditions
- Alzheimer's disease
10. Prevention
Preventing diabetes involves:
- Healthy eating habits
- Regular physical activity
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Limiting processed foods and sugary drinks
- Not smoking
- Managing stress
11. FAQs
Can diabetes be cured?
Type 1 diabetes cannot be cured, but can be managed with insulin therapy. Type 2 diabetes can sometimes be reversed with lifestyle changes.
What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes results from the body's failure to produce insulin, while type 2 diabetes results from insulin resistance.
Is diabetes genetic?
Family history and genetics can play a role in the development of type 1 and type 2 diabetes.