Diabetes is a condition that causes blood sugar levels to become higher than normal. This is due to problems with how the body makes or uses insulin, the hormone that manages blood sugar (glucose) levels.
Diabetes is very common. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that 38.4 million people in the United States are currently living with diabetes. That’s 11.6 percent of the population!
Curious to know more about diabetes? Keep reading to learn about the different types of diabetes, common diabetes symptoms, what puts someone at risk for diabetes, how diabetes is diagnosed and treated, and more.
Diabetes is a condition where the body doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use insulin well. It’s chronic, meaning that it’s long-lasting as opposed to temporary.
Insulin is a hormone, or chemical messenger, made by the pancreas. It basically tells cells in your body to use glucose for energy.
When there’s not enough insulin or cells don’t respond to it well, sugar stays in the blood. This causes glucose levels to go up, leading to the symptoms associated with diabetes.
Since diabetes increases blood sugar, its symptoms overlap with those of high blood sugar. The medical term for high blood sugar is hyperglycemia.
Wondering how to know if you have diabetes? Diabetes symptoms can include:
Extreme thirst
Excessive urination (frequent peeing)
Increased hunger
Feeling very tired (fatigue)
Unintended weight loss
Cuts or sores that heal very slowly
Blurry vision
Numbness or tingling sensation in the hands or feet
Having blood sugar that’s too high isn’t good for your overall health. That’s because high blood sugar can damage the body over time. Catching the early symptoms of diabetes is vital for preventing the condition from getting worse.
When blood sugar levels aren’t managed, untreated diabetes symptoms can lead to several complications throughout the body. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), these can include:
Heart disease
Chronic kidney disease
Damage to nerves in the hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy)
Stroke
Eye disease that may lead to blindness
Hearing loss
Gum disease
Skin issues, such as itching or infections
Foot problems from reduced blood flow and nerve damage, potentially leading to amputation
Diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening complication that happens due to increased ketones in the blood
If you’re experiencing any signs of diabetes, it’s best to see a healthcare provider about a possible diagnosis.
Diabetes isn’t just one condition. There are actually three different types of diabetes (type 1, type 2, and gestational). What causes diabetes? Each diabetes type has different causes.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. It’s when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues in the body.
With type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks beta cells in the pancreas. These cells make the insulin your body uses to regulate blood sugar. When they’re destroyed, the pancreas can no longer make insulin and blood sugar rises.
Type 1 diabetes only makes up about five to ten percent of diabetes diagnoses. It can take months or years to notice symptoms of type 1 diabetes. However, when they do come on, they can be sudden and severe.
When someone says they have diabetes, it’s most likely type 2. That’s because type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes, making up 90 to 95 percent of diabetes diagnoses.
Type 2 diabetes is caused by something called insulin resistance. This means cells in the body don’t respond well to insulin — therefore causing high blood sugar. When less sugar moves from the blood into your cells, glucose starts to go up.
The symptoms of type 2 diabetes come on slowly. In fact, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), some people with type 2 diabetes may not even know they have it until they start having health issues associated with it.
Gestational diabetes is diabetes that happens during pregnancy. According to the ADA, about 10 percent of pregnancies in the United States are impacted by gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes happens when changes during pregnancy cause the body to under-produce insulin or not use it efficiently. Unlike other types of diabetes, gestational diabetes typically goes away after childbirth but puts you at higher risk of type 2 diabetes in the future.
Certain things can elevate the risk for diabetes. These are called risk factors.
When we talk about risk factors, it’s important to know that having risk factors for diabetes doesn’t mean you’ll absolutely develop it in the future. It simply means you’re at a higher risk for diabetes compared to a person without risk factors.
Risk factors for diabetes can differ depending on the type of diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes risk factors aren’t as clear as those for other types of diabetes. But there are some factors we know are associated with a higher risk for this type of diabetes:
Genetics. Some people have a genetic predisposition for type 1 diabetes. The risk is also higher if you have a close family member, such as a parent or sibling, who has type 1 diabetes.
Age. You can get type 1 diabetes at any age, but it most often comes on during childhood, adolescence, or young adulthood.
Environment. Researchers believe environmental factors — like certain viral infections, food choices, or other stressors — may contribute to type 1 diabetes.
Several things can increase a person’s risk for type 2 diabetes. These include:
Genetics and family history. Like type 1 diabetes, you’re at a higher risk for type 2 diabetes if you have a close family member who has it.
Race/ethnicity. While the exact reasons are unknown, African Americans, Hispanic or Latino individuals, American Indians, or Alaska Native people are at a higher risk. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders can also have higher risk.
Weight. Having overweight or obesity can lead to insulin resistance and raises your risk of type 2 diabetes.
Lifestyle. Not getting enough physical activity and eating an unhealthy diet can contribute to type 2 diabetes risk.
A history of higher-than-normal blood glucose can also increase your risk of type 2 diabetes. This includes having prediabetes or a gestational diabetes diagnosis during pregnancy.
According to the CDC, factors that can increase the risk for gestational diabetes are:
Having overweight or obesity
Having close family members with type 2 diabetes
Having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Experiencing gestational diabetes during a previous pregnancy
Previously giving birth to a baby that weighed over nine pounds
Being a certain race/ethnicity, such as African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian American, or Pacific Islander
If you have multiple risk factors for any type of diabetes, see a medical professional about a possible diagnosis.
An early diagnosis of diabetes can help prevent complications. If you notice you’re having symptoms of high blood sugar, like extreme thirst, excessive urination, or fatigue, see your healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms.
Your provider might recommend testing for diabetes as part of your routine medical care. An example of when they may do this is if you have existing risk factors for type 2 diabetes.
You’ll also be tested for gestational diabetes if you’re pregnant. This testing is typically done between weeks 24 and 28 of pregnancy, when gestational diabetes typically comes on.
After getting a personal and family medical history and doing a physical exam, a healthcare provider can use several blood tests to diagnose diabetes.
Blood tests are done by collecting a sample of blood from a vein in our arm, which is then sent to a lab to be analyzed. The blood tests used to diagnose diabetes can include:
Fasting glucose test. A fasting glucose test measures blood sugar when you’ve been fasting. That means you’ve had nothing to eat or drink besides water for at least eight hours.
Random glucose test. A random glucose test assesses blood sugar at a random point in time when you haven’t been fasting.
A1C test. A hemoglobin A1C test shows your average blood sugar levels over a span of three months.
Glucose tolerance test. In this test, you’re asked to fast and have your blood sugar tested both before and after drinking a sweetened drink. If your blood sugar is high two hours after having the drink, it can signal diabetes.
Autoantibody test. If a medical professional suspects you have type 1 diabetes, they may test your blood for autoantibodies. These are the immune proteins that can signal your body is attacking healthy tissue.
The treatment of diabetes aims to manage blood sugar levels. This typically involves a combination of medications and lifestyle changes.
Your provider will also work with you to manage other existing health conditions that can make the effects of diabetes worse. These include things like high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol, and obesity.
Additionally, it’s vital to monitor your blood sugar levels when you have diabetes. This can help you know whether your blood sugar is within the target range recommended by your provider.
If your blood sugar levels routinely run above the target range, it can indicate a need for improved management strategies, like medication. It’s important to see a healthcare provider in this situation, as it’s possible that your treatment plan needs tweaking.
Medications are a big part of how diabetes is managed. The type of medication prescribed can depend on the type of diabetes you have.
For example, insulin is used to treat type 1 diabetes. This helps make up for the insulin your body isn’t making.
Besides insulin, other medications may be used to manage type 2 diabetes. These all work in different ways to lower blood sugar. Metformin is one of the most common first-line medications for type 2 diabetes. Side effects of diabetes medications can include weight loss.
Beyond taking your diabetes medications as directed, you might need to make lifestyle changes after a diabetes diagnosis. This is because adopting certain healthy habits can help to keep your blood sugar in the target range.
Lifestyle changes for diabetes include:
Losing weight, if needed
Getting regular exercise
Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet
Managing intake of carbs and sugary foods
Quitting smoking
Getting good-quality sleep at night
Managing stress levels
If this seems overwhelming, start with one or two lifestyle changes and go from there.
Aside from knowing the signs of diabetes in women or the most common diabetes symptoms men get, you may be curious if there are ways to prevent getting diabetes in the first place. The answer here is no and yes (we’ll explain).
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, and there’s currently no known way to prevent it. Additionally, certain factors linked to type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes, like genetics, are out of your control.
However, there are steps you can take in your daily life to address other risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes.
Follow the tips below to help prevent diabetes:
Stay active. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommends adults get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week. Think brisk walking, swimming, playing soccer, or even doing yardwork.
Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends focusing on fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or nonfat dairy, leaner protein sources, and healthy fats. Limit alcohol and foods high in salt, sugar, and saturated or trans fats.
Manage weight. Overweight and obesity are critical risk factors for diabetes. If you have overweight or obesity, talk to your provider about healthy ways to lose weight.
Quit smoking. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), quitting smoking can lower your risk of getting type 2 diabetes by 30 to 40 percent.
Manage other health conditions. Taking steps to manage other health conditions commonly associated with diabetes, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, can also lower your risk.
We all have concerns about our health from time to time. That’s why it’s important to have an open chat with your healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns about diabetes.
If you’re diagnosed with diabetes, be sure to follow your provider’s diabetes care guidelines for managing symptoms and take your medication as prescribed.