Diabetes is a complex condition, and there are many different types of diabetes. Here, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a serious condition in which blood glucose levels are too high. It can occur when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin, when the insulin it produces isn’t effective, or when your body can’t produce insulin at all.
Types of Diabetes
There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2.
With type 1 diabetes, you cannot produce insulin at all. With type 2 diabetes, which is the most common form, the situation is slightly different. The insulin your body produces either cannot work effectively or your body cannot produce enough of it. These are different conditions, but both are serious.
There are many other types of diabetes. These include gestational diabetes, which can develop in some women during pregnancy, MODY, and latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA).
In all types of diabetes, glucose cannot properly enter the cells, so it begins to build up in the blood. Too much glucose in the blood causes many different problems. For starters, it can lead to symptoms of diabetes.
What causes diabetes?
The causes of diabetes depend on the type of diabetes you have.
What all types of diabetes have in common is that people have too much glucose (blood sugar) in their blood. However, we all need some glucose. It gives us energy. We get glucose when our bodies break down the carbohydrates we eat or drink. And this glucose is released into our blood.
We also need a hormone called insulin. It is produced by our pancreas, and it is insulin that allows the glucose in our blood to enter our cells and provide energy for our bodies.
Symptoms of Diabetes
- Frequent trips to the bathroom, especially at night
- Severe thirst
- Feeling more tired than usual
- Weight loss for no apparent reason
- Itching or candidiasis in the genital area
- Cuts and wounds take longer to heal
- Blurred vision
There are nearly 200,000 people with diabetes living in Slovenia, and at least one-third of them have not yet been diagnosed.
How is diabetes diagnosed?
Diabetes is diagnosed through a blood test. If there are no obvious symptoms, it may go undiagnosed. Early diagnosis helps prevent complications of diabetes.
Treatment of Diabetes
Treatment involves keeping your blood sugar within the target range. The following will help you do this: as much physical activity as possible, a healthy diet, self-monitoring, and regular medical checkups. Some people will also need to take insulin or other medications and check their blood sugar regularly.
Many factors can affect blood sugar levels, which is why it can be more difficult for patients to maintain their levels within the desired range at first. It is important to realize that it is possible to live a full life even with diabetes.
Managing Diabetes
Adjusting to life with diabetes can be difficult, but we have a wealth of information to help you learn how to effectively manage your condition.
From advice on what to eat to emotional support and driving tips, we’re here to help you live well with diabetes. Learn more about managing diabetes today.
Complications of Diabetes
Over the long term, high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) can cause problems in nearly every part of the body, from the brain to the feet, and can seriously damage the heart, eyes, feet, and kidneys. These are known as diabetic complications.
However, with appropriate treatment and care, patients can lead healthy lives with a much lower risk of complications.
Conditions Related to Diabetes
Certain conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, may increase your risk of developing diabetes. There are also other conditions associated with diabetes that you should be aware of.
Prediabetes
Some people may have higher-than-normal blood sugar levels, but not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. This is called prediabetes and means there is a risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Remission of diabetes
Some people with type 2 diabetes can achieve remission through a healthy lifestyle. This means that their blood sugar levels remain within the normal range without taking any medication.
