Diabetes is a group of chronic metabolic diseases characterized by high blood sugar (glucose) levels due to problems with insulin production, insulin action, or both146911. It can lead to serious complications if not managed effectively.

Key Points:

• Types of Diabetes:
  • Type 1 Diabetes: The immune system destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, resulting in little or no insulin production. It often arises in childhood or young adulthood but can occur at any age. People with type 1 diabetes require lifelong insulin therapy126.
  • Type 2 Diabetes: The body becomes resistant to insulin or does not make enough insulin. It typically develops in adults but has become more common in younger populations due to rising obesity rates. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form, accounting for over 90% of cases12610.
  • Gestational Diabetes: Occurs during pregnancy when the body cannot produce enough insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. Though it often resolves after delivery, it increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life611.

Symptoms:

• Common symptoms include:

  • Increased thirst (polydipsia)
  • Frequent urination (polyuria)
  • Extreme hunger (polyphagia)
  • Unintended weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • Blurred vision
  • Sores that do not heal
  • Frequent infections (e.g., urinary tract, yeast infections)1345712

  Type 1 diabetes symptoms usually appear suddenly, while type 2 may develop gradually over years and may be mild or initially absent135.

Causes and Risk Factors:

• Type 1: Caused by an autoimmune reaction that destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. The exact trigger is unknown but may involve genetic and environmental factors26.
• Type 2: Risk factors include obesity, physical inactivity, age, family history, high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and certain ethnic backgrounds11013.
• Gestational: Hormonal changes during pregnancy combined with obesity or genetic predisposition611.

Diagnosis:

• Blood tests used for diagnosis and monitoring include:
  • Fasting plasma glucose test
  • Oral glucose tolerance test
  • A1C test, which measures average blood glucose over 2-3 months145.

Complications:

• Acute:
  • Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA): More common in type 1, this is a medical emergency caused by high ketone levels357.
• Chronic:
  • Nerve damage (neuropathy): Can cause numbness, pain, or weakness, especially in the feet and hands78.
  • Kidney damage (nephropathy)
  • Eye damage (retinopathy): May lead to blindness
  • Cardiovascular disease: Higher risk of heart attack and stroke
  • Foot problems: Poor circulation and nerve damage increase risk of infections and amputations
  • Skin, dental, and hearing problems
  • Mental health issues: Depression is more common78911.

Treatment and Management:

• Type 1: Requires lifelong insulin therapy, blood sugar monitoring, healthy nutrition, and exercise246.
• Type 2: Managed by lifestyle changes (diet, weight loss, exercise), oral medications, and sometimes insulin. Regular monitoring is essential4510.
• Gestational Diabetes: Controlled through diet, exercise, and sometimes insulin6.

Prevention:

• Type 1 diabetes is not preventable.
• Type 2 and gestational diabetes can often be prevented or delayed through:
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Eating a balanced, low-sugar diet
  • Regular physical activity
  • Avoiding tobacco use911.

Outlook:

• Although diabetes is a lifelong (chronic) condition, most people can live healthy lives by managing their blood sugar and associated risk factors489.

Epidemiology:

• Diabetes affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide and is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, and lower limb amputation11. In the U.S., about 1 in 10 people has diabetes, and many more have prediabetes (elevated blood sugar not yet in the diabetic range)9.

Summary Table:

For further details, consult medical guidelines or organizations such as the CDC, WHO, or leading hospitals6911.