There are three major diabetes types – type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes – affecting people today. Alongside these, other less common types like maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) and cystic fibrosis-related diabetes mellitus also exist, requiring precise diagnosis for targeted treatments.
Effective management of each type involves understanding the specific risk factors, including genetics and lifestyle choices. A cure is not immediately on the horizon, but treatments for these diseases, including lifestyle changes, medications, and specialized medical care, are available today.
According to the data received from the National Diabetes Statistics Fact Sheet, diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases today. Nearly 20 million people in the U.S. currently suffer from diabetes-related problems, with type 2 diabetes being the most prevalent. That is over 7% of the entire population in the United States. It used to be thought that diabetes would only occur in the elderly population. Today, however, it is striking people of all ages, including adults and children. Worldwide statistics reveal even more concerning numbers, with the prevalence of diabetes expected to rise sharply in the coming decades. Experts predict the global number of adults living with diabetes mellitus will reach 783 million by 2045.
Although diabetes has ubiquitously spread all over the world, many people do not have access to the basic diabetes facts. Here are some of the essential facts about this chronic condition:
Diabetes refers to a condition or disease of metabolism. Metabolism is the specific way in which our body uses absorbed food for growth and energy. A majority of the absorbed food content is broken down into glucose, which is the main component of sugar in the blood. Maintaining healthy blood glucose levels is crucial, as glucose is considered to be the major source of fuel within our system.
After the digestion process occurs, glucose is then passed to the bloodstream, where it is utilized by cells for the purpose of growth and energy production. In order to get absorbed into the cells, the insulin hormone produced by the pancreas must be present. People suffering from diabetes have either little or no insulin present. In return, glucose builds up in the blood, leading to high blood sugar levels and overflowing into the urine. Proper insulin management is essential for controlling blood glucose levels and preventing complications.
Additionally, diabetes can appear as prediabetes, a condition where blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Prediabetes significantly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other serious health conditions like heart disease and kidney damage. Effective management of prediabetes through lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet and regular exercise, could prevent its progression to type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 VS Type 2 Diabetes
There are essentially three major types of diabetes. These are type I, type II, and gestational diabetes. Type I diabetes is a kind of autoimmune disease, meaning this disease causes the immune system to turn against particular organs of the body, specifically the pancreas. An individual suffering from type I diabetes must be on insulin administration throughout their lifespan to manage blood glucose levels effectively.
Type II diabetes is the most common type, accounting for nearly 90-95% of all diabetes cases. About 80% of individuals suffering from type II diabetes are overweight or obese, highlighting the role of weight management in disease prevention. Diabetes type II is increasingly occurring among children and adolescents due to higher obesity rates; however, it is also highly prevalent among older adults, making it a significant public health concern.
Gestational diabetes is common among women later in pregnancy. Nearly 3-8% of pregnant women suffer from gestational diabetes in the United States. Hormonal imbalance and a shortage of insulin are major causes for developing gestational diabetes, as suggested by various diabetes studies. Proper medical care and monitoring are essential to manage blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of complications for both the mother and the baby.
Beyond these common types of diabetes, there exist rarer forms such as Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA), which shares characteristics of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. LADA tends to develop slower than type 1 diabetes and is most commonly diagnosed in adults over 30. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and management, as LADA patients will eventually require insulin therapy similar to type 1 diabetes patients.
If you consult medical journals and publications concerning diabetes, you can see that diabetes is one of the leading causes of serious health hazards in the United States. In fact, the National Diabetes Statistics Fact Sheet suggests that diabetes was the 6th leading cause of mortality in the United States in the year 2002. However, diabetes was prevalently underreported as the underlying cause of mortality in the majority of cases. Nearly 65% or more death cases are pointed out as heart problems or strokes, which are highly comorbid with diabetes, emphasizing the need for better diagnosis and management.
Diabetes can cause serious health complications, including stroke, blindness, liver and kidney disease, heart and blood vessel disease, amputations, and nerve damage. If diabetes is not diagnosed and treated earlier, it may create serious complications during pregnancy and lead to birth defects and premature death as well. Furthermore, poorly managed or untreated diabetes can cause acute complications like diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS), which require immediate medical intervention to prevent life-threatening outcomes. Effective management and treatment are essential to control blood sugar levels and minimize damage to the body.