High blood sugar is a symptom of the metabolic disorder known as diabetes mellitus. Your body is either unable to use the insulin it produces efficiently or is not producing enough of it.
Your cells absorb sugar from the blood and store it or use it as fuel thanks to the hormone insulin. Should this not work properly, you might be diabetic.
Diabetes-related high blood sugar that is left untreated can harm your kidneys, eyes, nerves, and other organs. However, you can safeguard your health by learning about diabetes and taking action to prevent or manage it.
Table of Contents
Diabetes types
Diabetes comes in several varieties:
- Type 1: Diabetes mellitus is an autoimmune condition. The cells of the pancreas, which produce insulin, are attacked and destroyed by the immune system. What is causing this attack is unknown.
- Type 2: Blood sugar levels rise and insulin resistance develops in people with type 2 diabetes. About 90% to 95% of people with diabetes have type 2, making it the most prevalent kind.
- Type 1.5: Adults with latent autoimmune diabetes (LADA) are another name for type 1.5 diabetes. Similar to type 2 diabetes, it develops gradually during maturity. There is no diet or way of living that can treat LADA, an autoimmune disease.
- Gestational: Pregnancy-related elevated blood sugar is known as gestational diabetes. This kind of diabetes is brought on by hormones that the placenta produces that block insulin.
Despite having a similar name, diabetes insipidus is a rare illness unrelated to diabetes mellitus. It’s a distinct illness where your kidneys overdrain your body of fluids.
Every kind of diabetes has different signs, causes, and approaches to care.
Find out more about the distinctions between these kinds.
Prediabetes
When your blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes, it’s referred to as prediabetes. It happens when your body’s cells don’t react to insulin as they ought to. Later on, this can result in type 2 diabetes.
According to experts, over one-third of Americans (Trusted Source) may have prediabetes, although more than 80% of those individuals are unaware that they have the condition.
Symptoms of diabetes
Common symptoms of diabetes include:
- Increased thirst and urination
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Unexplained weight loss
- Slow healing of wounds
- Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
- Frequent infections
These symptoms can vary depending on the type and severity of diabetes. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and management.
General symptoms
Type 1.5 (LADA), type 2, and type 1 all have the same symptoms, although type 1.5 manifests its symptoms later than type 2 does. Type 2 typically has a slower onset. In type 2, tingling nerves and slow-healing lesions are more prevalent.
Particularly type 1 can cause diabetes ketoacidosis if left untreated. At this point, the body’s ketone levels are dangerously high. Although less frequent, it is nonetheless possible in other kinds of diabetes.
Among the common signs of diabetes are:
- heightened appetite
- heightened desire
- reduction in weight
- a lot of urinating
- hazy vision
- extreme exhaustion
- wounds that don’t go away
Symptoms in men
Men with diabetes may experience the following symptoms in addition to the common ones:
- a decline in lust for sex
- inadequate muscle strength
- erectile dysfunction
Symptoms in women
Diabetes in women can cause symptoms like:
- dryness in the vagina
- infections of the urinary tract
- yeast infections
- dry, irritated skin
Gestational diabetes
The majority of women who get gestational diabetes don’t show any symptoms. Medical experts commonly identify the problem during an oral glucose tolerance test or standard blood sugar test, typically conducted between weeks 24 and 28.
Rarely, a person with gestational diabetes may become more thirsty or urinate more frequently.
The bottom line
At first, diabetes symptoms may be difficult to identify because they might be so minor. Find out which symptoms warrant a visit to the physician.
Causes of diabetes
There are various causes for every kind of diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes
Physicians are unsure about the precise causation of type 1 diabetes. The immune system accidentally targets and kills the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin for unknown reasons.
Some people may be influenced by their genes. Another possibility is that a virus triggers an assault on the immune system.
Type 2 diabetes
Genetic and lifestyle factors combine to cause type 2 diabetes. Additionally, being overweight or obese raises your risk. Having excess weight, particularly around the abdomen, increases the resistance of your cells to the effects of insulin on your blood sugar.
This illness is inherited. Genes that increase a family member’s risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity are shared.
Type 1.5 diabetes
An autoimmune disease known as type 1.5 develops when your own antibodies attack the pancreas. similar to type 1. Further research is necessary, but it might be genetic.
Gestational diabetes
Hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy are the cause of gestational diabetes. Hormones produced by the placenta lessen the sensitivity of a pregnant person’s cells to the effects of insulin. High blood sugar during pregnancy may result from this.
Gestational diabetes is more common in those who are overweight when they get pregnant or who gain too much weight while pregnant.
The bottom line
Diabetes is a condition that is influenced by both environmental and genetic factors.
Diabetes risk factors
Your risk of diabetes is increased by specific factors.
Type 1 diabetes
Children and teenagers, people with a parent or sibling who has the condition, and people who carry particular genes linked to the condition are more likely to develop type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes
Your risk of developing type 2 diabetes is higher if you:
- are oversized
- are 45 years of age or older
- possess a brother or parent who has the illness
- are not engaged in any physical activity
- Having had gestational diabetes
- possess prediabetes
- possess elevated triglycerides, cholesterol, or blood pressure
Additionally, some racial and ethnic groups are disproportionately affected by type 2 diabetes.
According to 2016 research, adults with ancestry in African American, Hispanic or Latino American, or Asian American communities are more likely than white adults to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. They also have a higher probability of receiving care that is of lower quality and encountering more obstacles to self-management.
Type 1.5 diabetes
Adults over 30 are more likely to have type 1.5 diabetes, which is sometimes confused with type 2. Individuals with type 1.5 diabetes are not always overweight, and lifestyle modifications and oral drugs have no effect.
Gestational diabetes
Pregnancy-related diabetes is more likely in those who:
- are oversized
- are older than 25
- developed gestational diabetes when she was pregnant before.
- having given birth to a child who is heavier than nine pounds.
- possess an ancestry of type 2 diabetes
- possess PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome.
The bottom line
The environment, prior medical issues, and family history can all have an impact on your risk of acquiring diabetes.
Diabetes complications
Elevated blood sugar harms all of your body’s tissues and organs. Your risk of problems increases with blood sugar level and duration of treatment.
Diabetes-related complications include:
- heart conditions, heart attacks, and strokes
- neuropathy
- renal damage
- Retinopathy and loss of eyesight
- loss of hearing
- Foot injury, including infections and non-healing sores
- skin disorders like fungal and bacterial infections
- depression
- dementia
Gestational diabetes
Uncontrolled gestational diabetes can cause issues for the mother and the unborn child. The following complications may impact the unborn child:
- early birth
- greater-than-average birth weight
- higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes in later life
- low glycemic index
- yellowing of the skin
- stillbirth
Gestational diabetes during pregnancy can lead to issues like type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure, or preeclampsia. It’s also possible that you’ll need a cesarean delivery, or C-section.
In subsequent pregnancies, there is an increased chance of gestational diabetes.
The bottom line
Medicine and lifestyle modifications can manage diabetes, a medical condition with serious consequences.
Treatment of diabetes
Several different drugs are used by doctors to treat diabetes. Some can be administered intravenously, while others are given orally.
Type 1 and 1.5 diabetes
The primary treatment for type 1 and type 1.5 diabetes is insulin. It takes the place of the hormone that your body is unable to create.
Type 1 and 1.5 diabetics frequently take different kinds of insulin. Their duration of action and rate at which they become effective vary:
- Insulin that acts quickly: its effects take effect in 15 minutes and continue for two to four hours.
- Insulin that acts quickly—within 30 minutes—lasts for three to six hours.
- Insulin that acts in an intermediate-acting manner begins to function in 2–4 hours and lasts for 12–18 hours.
- Two hours after injection, long-acting insulin begins to function and can last up to twenty-four hours.
- Ultra-long acting insulin: begins to function six hours after injection and continues for at least thirty-six hours.
- Premixed insulin: Depending on whether rapid-acting or short-acting insulin is included in the mixture, it begins to function in 15 to 30 minutes and lasts for 10 to 16 hours.
Type 2 diabetes
Certain individuals with type 2 diabetes may benefit from diet and exercise. You may need to take medicine to decrease your blood sugar if making lifestyle changes isn’t enough.
Gestational diabetes
In the event that gestational diabetes is diagnosed, you will require multiple daily blood sugar checks while pregnant. Exercise and dietary adjustments may be sufficient to lower it if it’s high.
According to research, between 15% and 30% of women with gestational diabetes will require insulin to control their blood sugar. Insulin is not harmful to a developing child.
The bottom line
Your doctor’s recommended course of therapy will vary depending on the kind and cause of your diabetes.
Diabetes and diet
Eating well is essential to controlling diabetes. In certain situations, managing the illness may only need dietary adjustments.
Types 1 and 1.5 diabetes
The foods you eat affect how high or low your blood sugar level is. Foods that are starchy or sugary cause blood sugar levels to spike quickly. More gradual increases are caused by fat and protein.
Your healthcare staff might advise you to restrict the quantity of carbohydrates you consume on a daily basis. You must also take your insulin doses and carbohydrate intake in moderation. Keeping track of your carbohydrate intake can help you regulate your insulin dosages.
Type 2 diabetes
Eating the correct foods will help you control your blood sugar levels and shed any extra pounds.
A crucial component of eating for type 2 diabetes is carb counting. You can determine how many grams of carbohydrates to eat at each meal with the assistance of a dietician.
Try to spread out your meals throughout the day to maintain stable blood sugar levels. Stress wholesome foods like:
- fruits
- veggies
- whole grains
- lean protein sources like fish and poultry
- healthful fats from foods like nuts and olive oil
Other foods may undermine your attempts to control your blood sugar.
Gestational diabetes
Throughout these nine months, it’s critical for you and your kid to eat a balanced diet. You can also stay away from diabetes drugs by making the appropriate dietary decisions.
Limit foods high in sugar or salt, and pay attention to portion sizes. You should limit your sugar intake even if you need to feed your developing child some. See further guidelines for good nutrition when managing gestational diabetes.
The bottom line
If you have access to a registered nutritionist, work with them. They can assist you in creating a customized diabetes diet plan. Maintaining a healthy ratio of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins will help you control your blood sugar.
Diabetes and exercise
In addition to diet and medication, exercise is crucial for managing diabetes. With all forms of diabetes, this is accurate.
Maintaining an active lifestyle lowers blood sugar levels by improving how well your cells respond to insulin. Regular exercise can also benefit you:
- attain and keep a healthy weight
- lower your chance of developing diabetes-related health issues
- elevate mood
- improve your quality of sleep
- enhance memory
The overall recommendation is to strive for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week if you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. As of right now, there are no specific exercise recommendations for those with gestational diabetes. To prevent overdoing it, however, start out cautiously and raise your exercise level gradually over the course of your pregnancy.
Exercises suitable for diabetics include:
- strolling
- swimming
- dancing
- riding
Consult your physician about safe strategies to include exercise in your diabetes care regimen. It could be necessary for you to take extra care, such as monitoring your blood sugar levels before and after exercise and drinking plenty of water.
Think about collaborating with a personal trainer or exercise physiologist who has dealt with diabetics in the past. They can assist you in creating an exercise regimen that is specific to your requirements.
Diabetes diagnosis
Testing should be done on everyone who exhibits diabetes symptoms or is at risk for developing the illness. Tests for gestational diabetes are often conducted on pregnant individuals in the second or third trimester.
These blood tests are used by doctors to identify diabetes and prediabetes:
- After an 8-hour fast, the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test determines your blood sugar level.
- An overview of your blood sugar levels over the preceding three months is given by the A1C test.
- Also utilized is a 75-gram oral glucose tolerance test. This measures blood glucose two hours after consuming a sweet beverage with 75 grams of carbohydrates.
How gestational diabetes is diagnosed
Your doctor will check your blood sugar levels between weeks 24 and 28 of pregnancy in order to identify gestational diabetes. Two categories of tests exist:
- During a glucose challenge test, your blood sugar is measured an hour after consuming a sweet beverage. No additional testing is conducted if your findings are standard. You must do a glucose tolerance test if your blood sugar is high.
- Test for glucose tolerance: After an overnight fast, your blood sugar is measured for this type of test. After receiving a sugar-filled beverage, your blood sugar is checked again an hour later and again two hours later. In the event that any of these three readings reveal elevated blood sugar, gestational diabetes is diagnosed.
If diagnosed with diabetes earlier, you can start therapy sooner. Learn about the tests your doctor might conduct and if you should undergo testing.
Use the Healthline FindCare tool to look up local doctors if you don’t currently have a primary care physician.
Diabetes prevention
Because the immune system is the origin of both type 1 and type 1.5 diabetes, both conditions cannot be prevented. You have no control over your age or genetics, which are two more factors that contribute to type 2 diabetes.
However, a lot of other diabetes risk factors are under control. Simple dietary and exercise modifications are the cornerstone of most diabetes preventive regimens.
Following a prediabetes diagnosis, there are several steps you can take to postpone or avoid developing type 2 diabetes:
- Engage in aerobic exercise, such as walking or cycling, for at least 150 minutes every week.
- Take eliminate refined carbs and trans and saturated fats from your diet.
- Increase your intake of whole grains, fruits, and veggies.
- Reduce the amount you eat.
- If you are overweight or obese, try to reduce 5% to 7% of your body weight.
There exist alternative methods for preventing diabetes. Learn other tactics that could assist you in avoiding this long-term medical problem.
Diabetes in pregnancy
Gestational diabetes can strike someone who has never had diabetes before at any time during pregnancy. The placenta secretes hormones that can increase your body’s resistance to the effects of insulin.
Pre-gestational diabetes
Diabetes can be present in a person prior to conception and continue to be present during pregnancy. We refer to this as pre-gestational diabetes.
Hazards for your infant
Pregnancy-related diabetes increases the risk of difficulties for your unborn child, including jaundice and respiratory issues.
You’ll require extra care to avoid complications if you’re diagnosed with pre-gestational or gestational diabetes.
Does gestational diabetes disappear on its own?
After giving birth, gestational diabetes should go away, but it does greatly raise your chance of developing diabetes afterwards. Type 2 diabetes will develop in about half of those who have gestational diabetes.
Diabetes in children
Diabetes type 1 and type 2 can both affect children. Blood sugar control is crucial for young individuals because diabetes can harm vital organs like the kidneys and heart.
Type 1 diabetes
Diabetes with an autoimmune component frequently begins in childhood. An elevated urination rate is one of the primary symptoms. After they have completed toilet training, children with type 1 diabetes may begin to wet the bed.
Severe thirst, exhaustion, and hunger are further symptoms of the illness. It’s critical that kids with type 1 diabetes start therapy as soon as possible. The illness can trigger medical emergencies such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), elevated blood sugar, and dehydration.
Type 2 diabetes
Because type 2 diabetes was so uncommon in children, type 1 diabetes was formerly known as juvenile diabetes. Since more kids are overweight or obese these days, type 2 diabetes is rising in this age range.
Some kids with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms at all. Others might encounter:
- heightened desire
- a lot of urinating
- extreme exhaustion
- hazy vision
Blood tests, physical examinations, and medical histories are frequently used to diagnose type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes type 2 can have long-term consequences if left untreated, such as blindness, renal damage, and heart disease. Your child can avoid these issues and manage their blood sugar with the support of a healthy diet and regular exercise.
In young people, type 2 diabetes is more common than ever. Acquire the ability to recognize the symptoms so you can inform your child’s physician.
Takeaway
Certain forms of diabetes, like types 1 and 1.5, arise from factors beyond your control. However, lifestyle changes such as improving diet, increasing physical activity, and reducing body weight can prevent others, like type 2.
Talk to your doctor about the dangers associated with diabetes. Have your blood sugar checked if you’re at risk, and heed your doctor’s recommendations on blood sugar management.