A brief guide to diabetes
Written by:Diabetes mellitus is the name given to a group of diseases related to blood sugar. Somebody with diabetes, regardless of the type, will have an excess of glucose in their blood stream. Although glucose is extremely important for overall health, as it provides energy to the cells that make up tissue and muscles, as well as fuelling the brain, too much of it can cause serious problems. There are two types of chronic diabetes: type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Around 1 in every 16 people in the UK has some kind of diabetes.
Diabetes symptoms to watch out for
Diabetes symptoms depend on how much sugar is in the blood, and also vary depending on the type of diabetes. People with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes may not experience any symptoms at all. However people with type 1 diabetes may find the onset of symptoms is rapid and harsh. The main symptoms of diabetes to watch out for are:
- Being more thirsty than usual
- Urinating frequently
- Extreme hunger
- Tiredness
- Blurry vision (diabetic retinopathy)
- Irritability
- Frequent infections
- Slow healing time
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s time to get in touch with a doctor.
Who is at risk of developing diabetes?
Diabetes risk factors depend on the type of diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is when the immune system attacks insulin-creating cells. Although the cause of type 1 diabetes is still uncertain, there are a number of factors that can increase the chances of developing it, including:
- Genetics – if somebody in your family has diabetes, you are more likely to develop it as well
- Diet – such as low vitamin D consumption
- Damaging immune system cells in the body – people with autoantibodies are more likely to get type 1 diabetes
- Environment – being exposed to certain viruses may play a role in the development of type 1 diabetes
- Location – some countries, such as Sweden and Finland, have more people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes than others
Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is when the body is unable to produce enough insulin, or the cells become resistant to insulin. Prediabetes is when blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not enough to be classified as diabetes. It is still not understood why some people seem to be more susceptible to developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes than others, but there are certain risk factors involved as well. These include:
- Family history
- Age – the older you get, the higher your chances of developing type 2 diabetes or prediabetes
- Inactivity – if you are not very active, you do not use up as much glucose, making your cells more resistant to glucose
- Weight – the fatter a person is, the more likely they’ll develop prediabetes or type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Polycystic ovary syndrome has been known to increase the chances of developing diabetes in women
- Abnormal triglyceride or cholesterol levels – low quantities of high-density lipoprotein (good cholesterol), or high levels of triglycerides (a type of fat) increase the chances of developing type 2 diabetes
What other health problems can diabetes cause?
The longer somebody has diabetes, the more likely they are to develop another, more serious health condition. These include:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Nerve damage
- Eye damage
- Kidney damage
- Foot damage
- Skin conditions
- Alzheimer’s
- Loss of hearing
Depression can also be associated with diabetes, although it is unclear whether it is a cause, an effect, or both.
How is diabetes treated?
Diabetes treatment depends on the type of diabetes a patient has. Some methods of treatment are universal for all types of diabetes such as exercising, eating healthily, not smoking, and not drinking too much. For type 1 and 2 diabetes it is important to stay vigilant of your blood sugar levels. Insulin therapy is necessary for all people with type 1 diabetes and some people with type 2 diabetes. Other medications are also available for the treatment of diabetes, and in some cases surgery may be necessary.
If you are exhibiting any signs of diabetes, get in touch with a specialist for a proper diagnosis and to find out what treatment would best suit you.
