Diabetes: Types, Symptoms and Treatment

Diabetes, scientifically known as diabetes mellitus, is a metabolic disease characterized by increased blood sugar/glucose levels, which can cause damage to various organs.

There are four main types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes and prediabetes. The main cause of diabetes is poor diet, especially due to excessive consumption of industrialized foods rich in sugar, combined with a sedentary lifestyle. 

The treatment of diabetes consists of making some changes in lifestyle, mainly in diet and the practice of physical activity. But the use of medications, such as insulin or oral hypoglycemics, may also be necessary. 

Main types of diabetes

Diabetes can be divided into 4 main types:

• Type 1 diabetes : it is the least common type and arises from birth, and is considered an autoimmune disease, since the immune system itself attacks the cells of the pancreas responsible for the production of insulin. Therefore, this hormone is not produced, glucose is not transported to the cells and ends up accumulating in the blood; 
• Type 2 diabetes : it is the most common type and occurs due to insulin resistance that arises throughout life, usually due to eating habits. This resistance decreases the action of insulin in the body and causes glucose to accumulate in the body;
• Gestational diabetes : it is a type of diabetes that occurs only during pregnancy, which is related to the production, by the placenta, of hormones that block the action of insulin;
• Prediabetes : occurs when the blood sugar level is increasing, but is not yet enough for diabetes to be diagnosed. 

Likewise, diabetes can also be divided into other less common types, such as latent autoimmune diabetes in adults or diabetes triggered by the use of medications. 

On the other hand, there is another condition known as diabetes insipidus , which, although it may have a similar name, is not considered a type of diabetes, as it occurs when the kidneys remove excessive fluid from the body, so it is not directly related to diabetes. with insulin or blood sugar level. 

Diabetes symptoms

Classic symptoms of diabetes include:

• Feeling of exaggerated thirst;
• Increased hunger;
• Frequent urge to urinate;
• Dry mouth;
• Easy fatigue;
• Vision alterations. 

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes generally arise throughout life and usually occur due to poor eating habits, especially excessive consumption of sugar and other carbohydrates, as well as lack of exercise. 

Now, the symptoms of type 1 diabetes are usually identified during childhood or adolescence and may also include other more generalized signs, such as difficulty gaining weight, itching all over the body, or irritability and sudden mood changes. 

In the case of gestational diabetes, the symptoms are rarer, so a woman usually discovers that she has diabetes during routine tests in the prenatal period, especially after having a glucose test. 

What causes diabetes

The causes of diabetes vary depending on the type of diabetes:

1. Type 1 diabetes

The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is not known , however, it is known that the immune system identifies the ß cells of the pancreas, responsible for the production of insulin, and causes their destruction, which is why it is considered an autoimmune disease. 

Since it is not caused by lifestyle, type 1 diabetes can be present from birth, being identified during childhood or adolescence. 

2. Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is mainly caused by poor eating habits, especially excessive consumption of foods with sugar or other carbohydrates. Additionally, having a sedentary lifestyle can also contribute to the development of diabetes.

People with fat accumulation in the abdominal region also appear to be at higher risk for type 2 diabetes, as fat cells possibly contribute to insulin resistance. 

3. Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes usually  develops due to hormones that are produced by the placenta during pregnancy. These hormones appear to partially block the action of insulin, making it easier for blood sugar levels to rise during pregnancy. 

Still, women who are overweight, who gained a lot of weight during pregnancy, who previously had gestational diabetes, or who have a family history of type 2 diabetes may be at higher risk for developing gestational diabetes. 

How to confirm the diagnosis of diabetes

The diagnosis of diabetes can be made with a set of blood tests that allow the amount of glucose to be evaluated. 

However, one of the most used tests, and which is normally included in routine examinations, is the fasting glucose test . This test measures the amount of glucose in the blood after a fasting period of at least 8 hours, the reference values ​​being those shown below:

• Normal: less than 99 mg/dL;
• Prediabetes: 100 to 125 mg/dL;
• Diabetes: above 126 mg/dL.

When fasting glucose values ​​are altered in at least 2 measurements on different days, it is normally recommended to perform another test to confirm the values ​​and help in the diagnosis. However, the doctor may also order other tests, such as glycated hemoglobin or glucose tolerance test .

How the treatment is performed

The main objectives of diabetes treatment are to improve quality of life, relieve symptoms, and prevent the development of more serious health complications. 

Although certain care is considered general to treat any type of diabetes, such as planning what types of foods you eat and exercising regularly, treatment may vary slightly depending on the type of diabetes:

Diabetes type 1

The main treatment for type 1 diabetes is the daily use of injectable insulin , because as the body cannot produce the hormone, insulin needs to be injected into the body. Typically, a slow-acting injection is given at the beginning of the day to maintain a basal level of the hormone in the body; However, it is necessary to measure blood glucose before and after meals to evaluate whether it is necessary to administer an extra injection, which is usually a rapid or ultra-rapid acting insulin. 

Apart from insulin, it is also recommended to maintain meal planning, especially with regard to the amount of sugar and carbohydrates consumed, as well as adopting an active lifestyle, with regular exercise. 

Type 2 diabetes

The treatment of type 2 diabetes does not always need to be carried out from the beginning with  medications , since depending on the levels of sugar in the blood it may be possible to control glucose only through changes in lifestyle, mainly in diet, with reducing the intake of sugary foods and carbohydrates, as well as regular physical exercise. 

In cases where the use of medications is necessary, the doctor can prescribe the use of two different types:

• Oral antidiabetics: they are the first line of drug treatment for type 2 diabetes and help keep sugar levels controlled through various mechanisms, either by stimulating insulin production by the pancreas, eliminating glucose through the urine or decreasing glucose production. by the liver. 
• Insulin : It is used when oral antidiabetics were not sufficient to control glucose or when these medications are not a treatment option, such as in the case of people with kidney failure. 

In the case of using insulin, it is important to carry out a daily and regular evaluation of capillary blood glucose , mainly before and after meals using a glucometer, which is a device that measures capillary blood glucose. 

Gestational diabetes

The treatment of gestational diabetes is carried out essentially through changes in diet and regular exercise, as they are natural measures that allow controlling blood glucose levels. 

However, if lifestyle changes are not sufficient to control sugar levels or if glucose values ​​are always very high, the doctor may advise the use of oral antidiabetics or insulin, It is also important to regularly measure glucose levels at home, using a device to determine blood sugar levels. 

Diabetes diet

One of the most important steps to control diabetes is the adaptation of the diet , which should be based mainly on reducing the consumption of sugar and foods rich in carbohydrates. Ideally, the diet should be guided by a nutritionist, who will take diabetes and personal tastes into account. 

There are some foods that are considered “forbidden”, since excessive consumption should be avoided as much as possible, such as the following:

• Sweets in general;
• Sugary drinks;
• Alcoholic beverages. 

Other foods such as fruits , rice or pasta, although they can be ingested, should be consumed in moderation. There are also foods that help better control diabetes, such as whole grains, vegetables and oilseeds, for example.

This type of diet can be followed in confirmed cases of diabetes, but it can also be followed by those who have prediabetes , since it allows them to regulate blood glucose levels, preventing the development of diabetes. 

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Diabetes in pregnancy

Diabetes in pregnancy, also known as gestational diabetes , is a relatively common condition that can occur even in women who have never previously had increased blood glucose levels.

This type of diabetes occurs due to the production of hormones by the placenta, which partially block the effect of the body’s insulin, causing blood sugar levels to rise easily. 

Gestational diabetes should be identified as early as possible to avoid complications in the baby’s development or premature birth. For this reason, as you attend prenatal appointments, your doctor usually orders glucose tests . The treatment consists of altering the lifestyle, eating a healthier diet and practicing physical exercise; However, in certain cases it may also include the use of medications. 

Diabetes in children

Diabetes can also develop in children, causing childhood diabetes . The most common type of diabetes during childhood is type 1; However, with the changes in diet that have occurred over the years, type 2 diabetes has also become more common, mainly due to excessive consumption of industrialized products, fast food and sugary foods, as well as an increase in sedentary lifestyle.

Childhood diabetes should be treated as soon as possible to avoid developmental delays, as well as to prevent the emergence of chronic diseases at an early age. 

Possible complications

When diabetes is not treated properly, blood sugar levels can remain high for a long time and cause damage to different organs. For this reason, the main complications of diabetes include the following:

• Cardiovascular diseases ;
• Neuropathy ;
• Retinopathy ;
• Deafness;
• Diabetic foot ;
• Depression . 

Likewise, high blood sugar levels also increase the risk of infection, since sugar facilitates the growth and development of fungi and bacteria, making it common for people with diabetes to have recurrent urinary infections, for example. By favoring the development of various microorganisms and hindering blood circulation, diabetes also causes problems in wound healing.