What Is Diabetes?
Diabetes Mellitus is a metabolic disease in which the body does not produce enough insulin or does not respond normally to the insulin produced. The result is the abnormal elevations of blood glucose.
Types of Diabetes
People are most familiar with Type 2 diabetes, as this is the most common form and accounts for more than 90% of the 29.1 million diagnosed cases of diabetes, but there are actually a few different types, Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, Prediabetes, and Gestational Diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes
This form of diabetes occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin and is most commonly diagnosed in children and teenagers.
It only accounts for 5% to 10% of all 29 million diabetes cases. While the number of people affected varies by region, it is estimated that 1 to 3 million people in the United States have Type 1 diabetes.
While there is no way to prevent the disease, the effects of it can be controlled through insulin intake, which will be ongoing for the duration of the person’s life. Researchers continue to study the development trends, effects, and treatments of Type 1 diabetes.
Prediabetes
Those who test with a range of 5.7% to 6.4% Hemoglobin A1C are considered to have prediabetes, any reading between 6.0% and 6.4% is considered at high risk.
This is a threshold area and is an alert that there is a very high risk of type 2 diabetes onset in the future. Those with prediabetes can do a lot to prevent onset, including diet, exercise, weight loss as needed, and medication.
Type 2 Diabetes
This form of diabetes develops as the body begins to resist the insulin produced, which could eventually lead to a lack of insulin.
Every time you eat, the body breaks down starches and sugars (carbohydrates) you consume and turns them into glucose.
Glucose fuels the cells of the body. The Pancreas releases insulin, and insulin transports the glucose to the cells so it can be used as energy.
In type 2 diabetes, insulin production is either lacking or insulin resistance occurs and glucose remains in the bloodstream, consequently, the cells of the body can become energy-starved and eventually, the high glucose levels begin to affect the nerves, eyes, kidneys, and/or heart.
Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90% to 95% of all diabetes cases.
Globally, the number has increased significantly in the last two decades, from 30 million cases in 1985 to 285 million in 2010.
Obesity is thought to be a major cause of Type 2 diabetes, particularly for those whose genetics make them more susceptible to the disease.
A healthy diet and regular exercise may control the disease, and various medications exist that can help control blood sugar. Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed with a standard blood test called Hemoglobin A1C.
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes can include heightened thirst and hunger as well as frequent urination, though often sufferers never experience symptoms. Experts believe that diabetes can largely be prevented by eating healthy, exercising regularly, and maintaining normal body weight.
Gestational Diabetes
This form of diabetes occurs in pregnant women (with no previous diagnosis of diabetes) who develop high blood sugar, usually during the 3rd trimester.
Experts believe that it is due to the baby inadvertently interfering with insulin receptors. The symptoms are minor, and so it is typically diagnosed during regular pregnancy tests.
About 10% of pregnancies result in this form of diabetes, and while it typically does not last after pregnancy, 5-10% of women who have gestational diabetes will develop Type 1 or 2 diabetes after giving birth (usually type 2).