29/03/2025
Diabetes mellitus is a condition that affects how your body uses blood sugar, or glucose, which is an essential energy source for muscles and tissues and the brain’s main fuel. The problem with diabetes is that it leads to too much sugar in the blood, no matter what type you have. This can cause some pretty serious health problems over time. There are a few different kinds of diabetes. The chronic ones are type 1 and type 2 diabetes, while the potentially reversible ones include prediabetes and gestational diabetes. Prediabetes means your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be called diabetes yet, and it can turn into diabetes if you don’t take steps to manage it. Gestational diabetes shows up during pregnancy but usually goes away after the baby is born.
Symptoms of diabetes vary depending on how high your blood sugar is. Sometimes, people with prediabetes, gestational diabetes, or type 2 diabetes may not even notice any symptoms. On the other hand, type 1 diabetes symptoms usually appear suddenly and are more intense. Some of the most common signs include feeling unusually thirsty, peeing more than usual, losing weight without trying, feeling tired or weak, and even mood changes or irritability. Sometimes you might notice blurry vision, slow-healing sores, or frequent infections like gum or skin infections. If your urine has ketones, which are byproducts from breaking down fat and muscle when your body doesn’t have enough insulin, that’s also a sign. Type 1 diabetes can start at any age but is more common in kids or teens. Type 2 diabetes usually develops in adults over 40, but more kids are being diagnosed with it now.
If you suspect you or your child might have diabetes or notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to talk to a healthcare provider as soon as possible. Getting diagnosed early means you can start managing it before it causes more issues. If you’re already diagnosed, keep up with medical follow-ups to keep your blood sugar levels in check.
So, how does diabetes actually happen? It all comes down to how the body handles glucose. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose from the food you eat get into your cells, where it’s used for energy. When your blood sugar drops, the pancreas lowers insulin production. But when you have diabetes, either your body doesn’t make enough insulin, or it can’t use it properly. This causes glucose to build up in your bloodstream. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes might be linked to genetics and environmental factors, but it’s still not entirely clear why they develop.
There are some risk factors to consider too. For type 1 diabetes, family history and environmental triggers might play a role. In type 2 diabetes, being overweight, physically inactive, and older are major risk factors. Some ethnic groups, like Black, Hispanic, American Indian, and Asian American people, seem to have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, though no one’s sure why. If you’re overweight or obese, you’re also more likely to get prediabetes or gestational diabetes.
Diabetes can lead to some pretty serious complications, especially if your blood sugar isn’t well-controlled. Over time, you could end up dealing with heart disease, stroke, or narrowing of the arteries. High blood sugar can also damage your nerves, leading to symptoms like tingling, pain, or numbness, especially in your hands and feet. This can also mess with your digestive system or cause problems like erectile dysfunction in men. Diabetes can damage your kidneys too, leading to kidney disease, and it can hurt your eyesight by affecting the blood vessels in your eyes. You’re also more prone to skin problems, infections, hearing issues, and even Alzheimer’s disease if you have type 2 diabetes. Depression is another common issue among people with diabetes.
If you develop gestational diabetes, most of the time, your baby will be fine, but uncontrolled blood sugar can cause problems. Your baby might grow too large, leading to a difficult birth, or develop low blood sugar shortly after being born. There’s also a higher risk of the child developing obesity or type 2 diabetes later in life. In severe cases, untreated gestational diabetes can result in stillbirth. For moms, there’s a chance of high blood pressure and a greater risk of developing diabetes in future pregnancies.
While you can’t prevent type 1 diabetes, you can lower your risk for type 2, prediabetes, and gestational diabetes by making healthier lifestyle choices. Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fiber can make a big difference. Try to be active for about 30 minutes most days, whether it’s walking, cycling, or something else you enjoy. Losing even a small amount of weight if you’re overweight can significantly cut your risk. Sometimes doctors might recommend medication like metformin if lifestyle changes aren’t enough to control blood sugar, but staying active and eating well are still the most important steps. If you have prediabetes, make sure to get your blood sugar checked regularly to catch any changes early.
