According to the World Health Organization, diabetes affects nearly 400 million people worldwide. And although it’s a common disease, its consequences can be very negative. Every year, 1.6 million people die from diabetes!
Factors such as being overweight, poor diet, or lack of physical activity can put you at risk. Plus, diabetes is often difficult to detect!
Knowing the symptoms of diabetes and starting treatment as soon as possible are key to preventing its consequences. How do you know if you’re diabetic? Find out your genetic predisposition and how to prevent diabetes !
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when the body loses its ability to produce enough insulin or use it effectively. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas that allows glucose to enter the body’s cells.
The foods we eat provide the glucose that our brain, muscles, and organs need to keep functioning. However, when the body is unable to convert it into energy, blood glucose levels rise.
Maintaining balanced glucose levels is essential for health. If insulin is unable to absorb glucose, an imbalance occurs, leading to what we call diabetes.
Types of diabetes
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is   when the body doesn’t produce insulin or produces very little insulin . It occurs when the immune system, which is responsible for fighting infections, attacks the cells that produce insulin.
Therefore, daily insulin injections are necessary to keep blood glucose levels under control.
Furthermore, it is chronic and the least common of all. It affects approximately 10% of all people with this disease. It is also known as “juvenile diabetes” because it occurs most frequently in children and young people.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is when the body produces insulin but is unable to process it effectively because it is resistant to the hormone.
It is much more common than type 1. It is also known as “adult-onset diabetes” because it typically affects people over 40. However, poor diet and childhood obesity are causing more and more cases of it in children and adolescents.
Other types of diabetes
Gestational diabetes is characterized by elevated blood sugar levels during pregnancy. Women who suffer from it may experience complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Even these episodes during pregnancy can lead to type 2 diabetes in the future.
There are also types of diabetes caused by medication, which alter the secretion or action of insulin. Some of these include glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants.
Symptoms of diabetes to know if we have it
Diabetes symptoms are often similar for both types. Plus, they can alert you to possible insulin dysfunction! How do you know if you’re diabetic? Don’t miss the most common symptoms.
- Abnormal thirst and dry mouth.
- Sudden weight loss.
- Frequent urge to urinate, or even involuntary urination.
- Constant hunger.
- Blurred vision.
- Lack of energy or feeling tired.
- Tingling or numbness in hands and feet.
- Skin infections.
- Slow healing of wounds.
Diabetes in adults
Type 2 (or adult-onset) diabetes is characterized by being subtle. Symptoms progress over the years. Many adults are unaware they have it or are developing it, since the signs take time to appear, or they don’t even have any apparent symptoms!
Sometimes, a simple blood or urine test is enough to alert you that a person has elevated glucose levels. How long has it been since you had a complete medical checkup? Find out how often you should have a checkup based on your age to prevent illness!
Diabetes in children
Symptoms of type 1 (or juvenile) diabetes often appear quite suddenly, even within a matter of weeks. If you notice that your child is showing symptoms consistent with this disease, see your pediatrician for a proper diagnosis.
Causes of diabetes
Overweight and sedentary lifestyle
Being overweight is a closely related cause. Specifically, an obese person is three times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes over the years. The location of fat in the body can also affect the proper functioning of insulin. Excess belly fat causes insulin resistance, to working properly.
To reduce your risk of developing it, take lifestyle measures. Ninety percent of type 2 diabetes cases can be prevented with dietary changes and physical activity. Combat the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle with these tips!
Genetics
One of the biggest myths is that it’s a hereditary disease. This is false! What numerous studies have confirmed is that certain genes can make a person more prone to suffering from it.
Even if your father or grandfather suffered from diabetes, you don’t necessarily become a carrier of the disease, but you do have a high risk of developing it if you don’t take care of your lifestyle. That said, genetic factors play a more important role in the development of type 2 diabetes.
In the case of type 1 diabetes, the genetic predisposition is much more remote and is fundamentally related to an environmental factor or some autoimmune disease .
Insulin resistance
Type 2 diabetes usually arises from the body’s resistance to insulin. The liver, fat cells, and muscles do not properly use insulin to process glucose.
Some hormones produced by the placenta during pregnancy also contribute to insulin resistance, especially in late pregnancy!
Diseases
Some diseases directly related to the pancreas, such as pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, or certain traumas, can lead to other types of diabetes.
Certain genetic mutations can also trigger some types. Cystic fibrosis , for example, secretes excess mucus that causes scarring of the pancreas, preventing it from producing enough insulin.
Hemochromatosis is caused by the pancreas storing too much iron. If this condition is not treated properly, iron accumulates in the pancreas, damaging it.
It can also be caused by hormonal disorders. People with hyperthyroidism may experience insulin resistance.
Environmental factors
Some experts suggest that environmental factors may contribute to the development of type 1 diabetes. A virus, a toxic agent, or something in food could trigger a reaction against the cells that produce insulin.
How to treat diabetes
Treatment involves a balanced diet, exercise, and appropriate medication to maintain normal glucose levels.
Therefore, daily insulin injections are sometimes necessary to keep blood glucose levels under control. There are also glucometers that can measure blood glucose levels. Consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment advice!
Diet for diabetics
Some steps you can take include replacing saturated fats like cheese and butter with unsaturated fats. These healthy fats are found in foods like avocados, nuts, olives, and vegetable oils.
Some foods are prohibited for diabetics due to their properties. Check out this video for 7 foods that are highly discouraged for people with a family history!
The importance of prevention and control
Your lifestyle will determine your risk of suffering from this disease or increase its negative consequences.
On the other hand, physical activity will help prevent diabetes. Opt for  aerobic exercises , such as swimming and running. Resistance training will help you control your blood sugar levels.
Finally, regular testing will help you keep track of your cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is diabetes, and what types are there?
Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the body is unable to produce insulin or when it cannot use it properly. This leads to elevated blood glucose levels. There are two types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2.
What is the most dangerous type of diabetes?
Although both are dangerous to health, type 2 diabetes affects many more organs, such as the heart, kidneys, eyes, and blood vessels. It can also be the gateway to other chronic diseases.
What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?
While in type 1 diabetes, the body doesn’t produce insulin to convert glucose into energy, in type 2 diabetes, it does, although the body isn’t able to convert it. This leads to an imbalance in blood glucose levels.
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