Diabetes Health: Definition, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Types – A “key” enables glucose in your blood get to where it has to go. The key is insulin. Your pancreas may not be making enough insulin, or your body may not be using it properly, which can lead to high blood sugar (hyperglycemia).
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is caused by having too much glucose in your blood. It happens when your pancreas doesn't make enough insulin or your body doesn't react to it the right way. People of all ages can get diabetes. Drugs and changes to your lifestyle can help you manage all types of diabetes, even the long-term ones.
Food and drinks that have carbohydrates give you glucose (sugar). It gives your body energy. Your blood gives all of your cells glucose, which they use for energy.
What forms of diabetes are there?
There are different kinds of diabetes. Here are some common forms:
- Type 2 diabetes means that your body doesn't make enough insulin or your cells don't respond adequately to it. This is the type of diabetes that most people have. Adults are the most likely to have it, but kids can also.
- Type 2 diabetes comes after prediabetes. Your blood sugar levels are high, but not high enough to constitute Type 2 diabetes.
- Type 1 diabetes: For reasons that aren't clear, your immune system attacks and kills the cells in your pancreas that make insulin. Type 1 diabetes affects up to 10% of people with diabetes. People of all ages can get it, but kids and teens are the most likely to be diagnosed.
How common is diabetes?
Diabetes is common. There are 37.3 million Americans with diabetes, which is 11% of the population. kind 2 diabetes is the most common kind, making up 90% to 95% of cases.
537 million people around the world have diabetes. By 2030, these numbers are predicted to rise to 643 million, and by 2045, they are expected to rise to 783 million.
What makes diabetes happen?
Diabetes, no matter what type it is, happens when there is too much glucose in the blood. There are many kinds of diabetes that induce high blood sugar levels.
Some things that can cause diabetes are:
- Most cases of type 2 diabetes are caused by insulin resistance. When insulin doesn't work on muscle, fat, and liver cells, that's called resistance. Obesity, not getting enough exercise, certain foods, hormonal imbalances, genetics, and medicines are just some of the things that might cause insulin resistance.
- Immune disease: Your immune system attacks the cells in your pancreas that make insulin, which leads to type 1 diabetes and LADA.
- Hormonal imbalances: Hormones from the placenta make your body resistant to insulin during pregnancy. You could get gestational diabetes if your pancreas can't make enough insulin to fight insulin resistance. Acromegaly and Cushing syndrome are two hormone diseases that can lead to Type 2 diabetes.
- Damage to the pancreas: Type 3c diabetes can happen when a condition, surgery, or injury stops the pancreas from making insulin.
- Genetic mutations can cause MODY and neonatal diabetes.
The effects of diabetes over time
High blood sugar levels over time can hurt tissues and organs. The main cause is damage to blood vessels and neurons that sustain tissues.
When should I go to the doctor?
If you start to feel thirsty and have to pee a lot, you should see a doctor.
You should see your endocrinologist or another diabetes care specialist every so often.
Cleveland Clinic Note
Getting diabetes is a big deal, but you can still be happy and healthy. You have to pay attention to diabetes all the time. It could be hard at first, but you'll learn how to deal with it and pay attention to your body.
Go to the doctor on a regular basis. To manage diabetes, you need help from doctors, family, and friends. If you need help, get in touch with them.
