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Diabetes: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body processes glucose (sugar), your body's main source of energy. Glucose is transported by your blood to every part of your body by the food you eat. To utilize glucose, your body requires a hormone called insulin, which is produced by the pancreas. Insulin unlocks the cells and lets glucose in.

Causes of Diabetes

If you have diabetes, either your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or your cells do not respond well to insulin (insulin resistance). This leads to hyperglycemia, which can cause a variety of health problems.

Different types of diabetes have different causes and risk factors. The most common types are:

• A type 1 diabetic has an autoimmune disease in which your immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in your pancreas, leaving your body with little insulin production. Although the exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown, genetics and environmental factors may play a role. Usually, type 1 diabetes develops in childhood or adolescence, but it can occur at any age.

• Approximately 90% to 95% of all cases of diabetes are type 2, in which your pancreas either does not produce enough insulin or your cells become resistant to insulin, causing glucose to build up in your blood. Type 2 diabetes may be caused by genetic and lifestyle factors, such as being overweight, physically inactive, having a family history of the disease, or having high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

• A type of diabetes resulting during pregnancy called gestational diabetes occurs when the placenta interferes with insulin action. Although gestational diabetes usually goes away after the baby is born, it increases the risk that both the mother and the child will develop type 2 diabetes later in life.

• An individual with prediabetes is at risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future. It is characterized by high blood glucose levels that are not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes. Prediabetes is a warning sign that you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future. It is estimated that one in three Americans has prediabetes, but many are unaware of it.

Symptoms of Diabetes

There are many signs and symptoms associated with diabetes, depending on the type and severity of the disease. Some people may not have any symptoms at all, especially in the early stages of type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.

• Increased thirst and urination

• Increased hunger

• Unexplained weight loss

• Fatigue and weakness

• Blurred vision

• Slow-healing wounds or infections

• Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet

Diagnosis of Diabetes

Diabetes can be diagnosed by measuring your blood glucose levels with a blood test. There are several types of blood tests that can be used to diagnose diabetes, including:

• The fasting plasma glucose test (FPG) measures your blood glucose level after fasting for at least eight hours (without eating anything). Normal FPG levels are less than 100 mg/dL. An FPG level of 100 to 125 mg/dL indicates prediabetes. A FPG level of 126 mg/dL or higher indicates diabetes.

• A normal OGTT result is less than 140 mg/dL two hours after drinking a liquid that contains glucose. This test measures your blood glucose level before and after drinking a liquid that contains glucose. OGTT results between 140 and 199 mg/dL indicate prediabetes, while 200 mg/dL or higher on two separate tests indicates diabetes.

• HbA1c (Hemoglobin A1c) test: This test measures your average blood glucose level over the past two to three months. A normal HbA1c level is less than 5.7%. HbA1c levels of 5.7% to 6.4% indicate prediabetes, while HbA1c levels of 6.5% or higher are indicative of diabetes on two separate tests.

Treatment of Diabetes

Diabetes is treated differently depending on the type and severity. The main goal is to keep your blood glucose levels within a healthy range and to prevent or delay complications.

• There are several types of medications that can lower blood glucose levels by stimulating insulin production, improving insulin sensitivity, reducing glucose absorption, or increasing glucose excretion. Metformin, sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and insulin are some of the diabetes medications that are available. It may be necessary for you to take one or more medications to effectively manage your diabetes, depending on your medical history, blood glucose levels, and other factors.

• Insulin therapy: If your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or your body does not use insulin properly, you may need insulin injections or an insulin pump. For people with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes who are unable to control their blood glucose levels with oral medications, insulin therapy is essential. There are different types of insulin that differ in how quickly they start working, how long they last, and when they peak. Depending on your blood glucose levels, lifestyle, and preferences, your doctor will help you choose the best type and dose of insulin. You will need to monitor your blood sugar levels regularly and adjust your insulin dose as necessary.

• A healthy lifestyle can help you manage diabetes and prevent or delay complications. Some lifestyle changes that can help you control your blood sugar levels are:

• A balanced diet that is low in sugar, fat, and salt, high in fiber, protein, and complex carbohydrates. Alcohol and foods that spike your blood sugar levels, such as sweets, sodas, and processed foods, should also be avoided. Depending on your needs and preferences, you may need to follow a specific meal plan. Your doctor can assist you with creating a personalized diet plan that meets your nutritional needs.

• Being physically active for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Physical activity can help lower your blood glucose levels, improve your insulin sensitivity, lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and prevent weight gain. Physical activities include walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, dancing, or doing aerobics. Choose an activity that you enjoy and that is appropriate for your fitness level. Strength training exercises can also help you build muscle mass and bone density. Check with your doctor before starting any new exercise program.

• Smoking increases your chances of developing diabetes complications, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage, eye problems, and foot problems. Talk to your doctor or join a smoking cessation program if you need help quitting smoking. Smoking can also make it harder to control your blood glucose levels and affect the effectiveness of your diabetes medications.

It is important to follow your treatment plan and make lifestyle changes if you want to live a long and fulfilling life with diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic condition that requires lifelong management. Maintaining a healthy blood glucose level and visiting your doctor regularly can help prevent or delay diabetes complications from occurring.

Prevention of Diabetes

In order to prevent diabetes, you need to reduce your risk factors and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Some prevention strategies include:

• Maintaining a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and prediabetes because it makes your body less responsive to insulin. By eating a balanced diet and being physically active, you can improve your insulin sensitivity and lower your blood glucose levels. Losing weight can help you achieve a healthy weight.

• Get screened for diabetes: If you are over 45 years old, have a family history of diabetes, belong to certain ethnic groups (such as African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, or Pacific Islanders), or have any risk factors for diabetes, you should get screened regularly for diabetes if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels, have gestational diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), or prediabetes. A diabetes screening can help detect diabetes early and prevent or delay complications. Talk with your doctor about how often you should get screened for diabetes based on your risk factors.

• Managing other medical conditions: If you have any other medical conditions that can increase your risk of developing diabetes or its complications, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, heart disease, kidney disease, or thyroid disorder, you should take medications and change your lifestyle accordingly. Moreover, you should keep in touch with your doctor to monitor your condition and adjust your treatment plan accordingly.

Diabetes is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It occurs when your body does not produce enough insulin or uses it properly. This leads to high blood glucose levels, which can damage various organs and tissues.