Types of diabetes
Diabetes is a common chronic disease. There are several types that differ from each other in their causes, the speed at which symptoms develop, and the possibility of preventing the disease. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented by changing your lifestyle, such as following a low-carb diet, losing excess weight, and exercising. Learn about the definition of diabetes, its symptoms, and risk factors in this article.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a group of conditions in which the body does not produce enough insulin, does not produce any insulin at all, or cannot use the insulin it produces properly. The body becomes unable to transport sugar from the blood into the cells, leading to high blood sugar levels.
Insulin transports glucose from the blood into cells. Insulin deficiency or insulin resistance leads to the accumulation of glucose in the blood. Glucose is one of the body's main sources of energy and is the form of sugar found in the blood. High levels of glucose in the blood can lead to health problems.
Types of diabetes
There are three main types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes.
Gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is often caused by an autoimmune reaction, which makes the body unable to produce insulin at all. This type of diabetes is characterized by a complete absence of insulin in the body, requiring daily insulin administration. Symptoms often develop rapidly, and scientists have yet to find an effective way to prevent type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes
In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas secretes insulin, but the amount may not be sufficient. Alternatively, the pancreas secretes insulin, but the body cannot use it properly due to insulin resistance. In both cases, the body becomes unable to maintain blood sugar levels at normal levels.
Type 2 diabetes develops over many years and may not be accompanied by any symptoms. Therefore, it is important to test blood sugar levels regularly, especially in people at higher risk, such as those with a family history of diabetes or those who are obese.
Type 2 diabetes can be prevented by lifestyle changes such as:
Lose weight.
Follow a low-carb diet.
Do moderate exercise.
gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes develops in pregnant women who have never had diabetes. It increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Gestational diabetes usually resolves after delivery. However, having gestational diabetes puts the baby at greater risk for certain health problems, such as obesity in childhood or adolescence, and increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Prediabetes
In prediabetes, blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Prediabetes increases the risk of many diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. The good news is that prediabetes can be reversed and type 2 diabetes prevented with lifestyle changes.
Symptoms of diabetes
Symptoms of diabetes include:
Increased thirst.
dry mouth
Blurred vision.
Frequent urination.
Fatigue
Unexplained weight loss.
Tingling and numbness in the hands and feet.
Delayed or slow healing of wounds or sores.
Vaginal yeast infections.
Additional details about the symptoms of each type of diabetes include:
Type 1 diabetes
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes can develop over several weeks or months and may be accompanied by additional symptoms that indicate a serious complication called diabetic ketoacidosis, which is life-threatening and requires immediate medical treatment. Symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis include:
vomiting
stomach ache
Fruity breath.
difficulty breathing.
Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes
Prediabetes or type 2 diabetes may not have any symptoms, or the patient may not notice them. A routine blood test may show high blood sugar levels before symptoms are recognized. Another possible sign of diabetes is dark skin in certain parts of the body (acanthosis nigricans).
gestational diabetes
Pregnant women usually do not notice any symptoms of gestational diabetes, and the doctor supervising the pregnancy often routinely performs a gestational diabetes test between weeks 24 and 28 of pregnancy.
Risk factors for diabetes
Type 1 diabetes
The risk factors for type 1 diabetes are not entirely clear. Scientists believe it results from an autoimmune reaction. Possible risk factors include:
Age: Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age, but it usually appears in children, teenagers, or young adults.
Family history: Having a parent, brother, or sister with type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes
Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include:
Weight gain.
People over 45 years of age.
Having a parent, brother, or sister with type 2 diabetes.
Laziness or lack of physical activity.
Gestational diabetes.
People with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are also at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Recovery Advice from Team 5.6
Changing your lifestyle and following a low-carb diet can help prevent type 2 diabetes. It also helps control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes, which helps in recovering from diabetes and making it possible to stop taking medication. This in itself can radically and effectively change the lives of diabetics.
the reviewer
https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/types-of-diabetes
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/diabetes.html
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/7104-diabetes