Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how the body uses glucose, a type of sugar that is a key source of energy for our cells. When diabetes is present, the body struggles to regulate blood sugar levels properly, which can lead to various health problems over time. Here’s a closer look at the condition, its types, and how it can be managed or prevented.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes, formally known as diabetes mellitus, affects more than 37 million Americans, which is approximately one in ten people. This condition is characterized by elevated blood sugar (glucose) levels. Glucose is crucial for cellular energy, but without proper regulation, it accumulates in the bloodstream, causing harm.

When you eat, your body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, helps cells absorb glucose from the blood. In individuals without diabetes, the pancreas releases insulin in response to increased blood sugar, allowing glucose to enter the cells and providing them with energy. However, in diabetes, this process is disrupted, leading to excess glucose in the bloodstream.

How is Diabetes Diagnosed?

Diabetes is usually diagnosed through routine blood tests that measure glucose levels. These tests can be conducted under different conditions, such as fasting, after consuming a sugary drink, or randomly. The most common symptoms prompting a diabetes diagnosis include excessive urination and increased thirst. These symptoms occur because the kidneys are forced to expel excess glucose along with large amounts of water, leading to dehydration.

In some cases, diabetes is discovered during routine wellness exams before symptoms become severe. The diagnosis can be confirmed through several tests:

• Fasting Blood Glucose Test: Measures blood sugar after an overnight fast. A normal level is below 100 mg/dL, prediabetes is between 100-125 mg/dL, and diabetes is 126 mg/dL or higher.
• Hemoglobin A1C Test: Reflects average blood sugar levels over the past three months. A normal reading is below 5.7%, prediabetes is 5.7%-6.4%, and diabetes is 6.5% or higher.

What is Prediabetes?

Prediabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be classified as diabetes. It serves as a warning sign and offers a chance to prevent or delay the progression to type 2 diabetes through lifestyle changes and medication. About 10% of people with prediabetes develop type 2 diabetes within a year, and up to 70% may develop it over their lifetime.

Symptoms of Diabetes

Diabetes symptoms may not appear until the disease has advanced. Key symptoms include:

• Excessive Thirst and Urination: Due to the kidneys excreting excess glucose along with large amounts of water.
• Fatigue: Cells lacking glucose may result in overall weakness and tiredness.
• Blurred Vision: High blood sugar can cause fluid to shift into the eyes, affecting vision.
• Slow-Healing Sores or Frequent Infections: High blood sugar can impair the body’s ability to heal wounds and fight infections.

Long-term diabetes can cause severe complications, such as:

• Diabetic Retinopathy: Damage to the blood vessels in the eyes, potentially leading to blindness.
• Neuropathy: Nerve damage, often in the feet and hands, which can lead to sores and ulcers.
• Heart and Kidney Disease: Increased risk due to prolonged high blood sugar levels.

Types of Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes: This autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. People with type 1 diabetes produce little to no insulin and require daily insulin injections or infusions to manage their blood sugar levels.

Type 2 Diabetes: This condition is characterized by insulin resistance, where the body’s cells do not respond effectively to insulin. Initially, the pancreas produces extra insulin to compensate, but eventually, it cannot maintain this increased production, leading to high blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes is more common and often linked to obesity, poor diet, and sedentary lifestyle.

Can Diabetes be Prevented?

Type 1 Diabetes cannot be prevented as it is an autoimmune condition with no known way to alter its onset.

Type 2 Diabetes, however, can often be prevented or delayed through lifestyle modifications:

• Maintain a Healthy Weight: Being overweight increases the risk of insulin resistance.
• Exercise Regularly: Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week to improve insulin sensitivity.
• Healthy Diet: Focus on whole grains, vegetables, and lean proteins while limiting refined carbohydrates and sugary foods.
• Medication: For those with prediabetes, medications like metformin (Glucophage) can help manage blood sugar levels.

For those already diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, managing blood sugar levels effectively can help prevent complications:

• Monitor Blood Sugar: Regularly check and manage your blood glucose levels to avoid complications.
• Manage Cardiovascular Risks: Control blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, and avoid smoking.
• Regular Checkups: Annual eye exams and foot inspections are crucial to catch and address potential complications early.

By understanding diabetes and its management, individuals can take proactive steps to maintain their health and well-being, whether they are at risk of or already living with the condition.