Diabetes is a prevalent condition that impacts individuals of all ages, with several types existing. The most common form is Type 2 diabetes. Using a combination of treatment approaches can help manage the condition, allowing for a healthy life and reducing the risk of complications.
Diabetes occurs when blood sugar (glucose) levels are too high. It develops if the pancreas produces little or no insulin, or if the body doesn’t respond effectively to insulin. People of all ages can be affected by diabetes. While most types are lifelong conditions, they can all be managed with medications and/or lifestyle adjustments.
Glucose, or blood sugar, primarily comes from the carbohydrates in foods and drinks and serves as your body’s main energy source. Blood carries glucose to your cells to use as fuel.
For glucose to enter cells, it needs insulin, a hormone that acts like a "key." If the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or the body isn’t using it effectively, glucose builds up in the bloodstream, leading to high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia).
Over time, persistently high blood glucose can lead to health issues, including heart disease, nerve damage, and eye complications.
The medical term for diabetes is diabetes mellitus. A different condition, diabetes insipidus, shares the name but is quite rare. Both conditions involve increased thirst and frequent urination, but they are otherwise unrelated.
Types of Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition that exists in various forms. The most prevalent types include:
Type 2 diabetes: The body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t respond properly to it, resulting in insulin resistance. This is the most common form of diabetes, primarily affecting adults, although children can also develop it.
Prediabetes: This stage precedes Type 2 diabetes, where blood sugar levels are elevated but not high enough for a Type 2 diabetes diagnosis.
Type 1 diabetes: An autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This type accounts for up to 10% of diabetes cases and typically appears in children and young adults but can develop at any age.
Gestational diabetes: Occurs during pregnancy and generally resolves after childbirth, though it increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later on.
Additional, less common types of diabetes include:
Type 3c diabetes: Caused by non-autoimmune damage to the pancreas, impairing insulin production. Conditions like pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis, and hemochromatosis, or removal of the pancreas, can lead to this form.
Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA): Similar to Type 1, this autoimmune condition progresses more slowly and typically affects people over 30.
Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY): A genetic form of diabetes caused by a hereditary mutation affecting insulin production and use. MODY includes more than 10 variations, runs in families, and affects up to 5% of diabetes cases.
Neonatal diabetes: A rare form that appears in the first six months of life. About half of affected babies have permanent neonatal diabetes, while in the other half, the condition may resolve temporarily, though it could recur later.
Brittle diabetes: A severe form of Type 1 diabetes with frequent and unpredictable blood sugar swings, often requiring hospitalization. In some cases, a pancreas transplant may be needed to manage this condition.
How To Prevent Diabetes
If you’re at risk for diabetes, you may be able to prevent or delay it by adopting a healthier lifestyle, which can bring additional health benefits like reducing the risk of other diseases and boosting your energy. Key lifestyle changes include:
Losing weight and maintaining it: Managing weight is essential in diabetes prevention. Aiming to lose 5-10% of your current weight can help delay or prevent diabetes. For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, losing 10-20 pounds is a good goal. It’s also important to keep the weight off once it’s lost.
Eating a healthy diet: Reducing daily calorie intake by eating smaller portions and lowering fat and sugar can aid in weight control. Include a variety of foods from all food groups, with an emphasis on whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Limit red and processed meats as well.
Exercising regularly: Physical activity helps with weight loss and blood sugar control, both of which reduce diabetes risk. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise on five days each week. If you’re new to exercise, consult a healthcare provider to find a suitable plan, starting slowly and building up gradually.
Avoiding smoking: Smoking can lead to insulin resistance, a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes. If you smoke, consider quitting to lower your risk.
Consulting your healthcare provider: Your provider can offer additional guidance on delaying or preventing Type 2 diabetes. If your risk is high, they might suggest certain diabetes medications to help.
Adopting these lifestyle changes can help improve your overall health and well-being while lowering your diabetes risk.