Understanding Diabetes: Types, Symptoms, Risks, and Prevention

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. The culprit? Insulin—a vital hormone that helps glucose (sugar) get into your cells. When your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t use it effectively, sugar builds up in the bloodstream. This can lead to serious health issues if not managed properly.

Types of Diabetes

1. Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This leads to little or no insulin production, requiring those affected to take daily insulin injections. It often appears in childhood or adolescence but can develop at any age.

2. Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form. The body still produces insulin, but it doesn’t use it efficiently—a condition known as insulin resistance. Over time, the pancreas may also produce less insulin. This type is strongly linked to lifestyle factors and is now increasingly diagnosed in younger people, including teens and children.

3. Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy and usually disappears after birth. However, it increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life—for both mother and child.

Recognizing the Symptoms

Early signs of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes include:

• Excessive thirst and frequent urination

• Unexplained weight loss

• Fatigue and irritability

• Blurred vision

• Slow-healing sores and frequent infections

• Presence of ketones in urine (in type 1 diabetes)

Some people—especially with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes—may have mild or no symptoms at all, making routine screening essential.

Potential Complications

Unchecked diabetes can affect nearly every part of your body:

• Heart disease and stroke

• Nerve damage (neuropathy)

• Kidney damage (nephropathy)

• Eye problems (retinopathy), potentially leading to blindness

• Foot infections that may lead to amputation

• Skin and gum infections

• Hearing loss and cognitive issues like Alzheimer’s disease

• Depression and emotional challenges

  Can Diabetes Be Prevented?

  While type 1 diabetes can't be prevented, type 2 and gestational diabetes often can be. Here’s how:

  • Eat smart: Focus on high-fiber, low-fat foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

  • Stay active: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week—brisk walking counts!

  • Lose extra weight: Even shedding 5–7% of your body weight can significantly lower your risk.

  • Get regular checkups: Especially if you have risk factors like obesity or a family history of diabetes.

    What is Prediabetes?

    Prediabetes is a silent warning sign—your blood sugar is higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Without intervention, prediabetes often progresses to type 2 diabetes.

    People under 45 with a BMI of 25 or more and additional risk factors like inactivity or a family history should get screened early.