Overview

Diabetes mellitus refers to a group of diseases that affect how the body uses blood sugar (glucose). Glucose is an important source of energy for the cells that make up the muscles and tissues. It's also the brain's main source of fuel.
The main cause of diabetes varies by type. But no matter what type of diabetes you have, it can lead to excess sugar in the blood. Too much sugar in the blood can lead to serious health problems.
There’s no cure for diabetes. But with treatment and lifestyle changes, you can live a long, healthy life.
Diabetes comes in different forms, depending on the cause.

1. *Type 1 Diabetes:* This is an autoimmune condition where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, people with Type 1 diabetes require lifelong insulin therapy to regulate their blood sugar levels.

2. *Type 2 Diabetes:* This is the most prevalent form of diabetes and is often associated with lifestyle factors like poor diet, lack of exercise, and obesity. In Type 2 diabetes, the body becomes resistant to insulin, and the pancreas may not produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Management includes dietary changes, physical activity, oral medications, and, in some cases, insulin.

3. *Gestational Diabetes:* This type occurs during pregnancy when hormonal changes can lead to insulin resistance. It usually resolves after childbirth, but women who have had gestational diabetes are at an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.

Symptoms

• Diabetes symptoms depend on how high your blood sugar is. Some people, especially if they have prediabetes, gestational diabetes or type 2 diabetes, may not have symptoms. In type 1 diabetes, symptoms tend to come on quickly and be more severe. Some of the symptoms of type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes are: • Feeling more thirsty than usual. • Urinating often. • Losing weight without trying. • Are very hungry. • Have very dry skin. • Presence of ketones in the urine. Ketones are a byproduct of the breakdown of muscle and fat that happens when there's not enough available insulin. • Feeling tired and weak. • Feeling irritable or having other mood changes. • Having blurry vision. • Having slow-healing sores. • Getting a lot of infections, such as gum, skin and vaginal infections. Type 1 diabetes can start at any age. But it often starts during childhood or teen years. Type 2 diabetes, the more common type, can develop at any age. Type 2 diabetes is more common in people older than 40. But type 2 diabetes in children is increasing.

Causes

• The exact cause of most types of diabetes is unknown. In all cases, sugar builds up in the bloodstream. This is because the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes may be caused by a combination of genetic or environmental factors. Factors that contribute to developing type 2 diabetes include not getting enough exercise, genetics, and being overweight( Extra weight sometimes causes insulin resistance and is common in people with type 2 diabetes. The location of body fat also makes a difference. Extra belly fat is linked to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes ). Common Causes of diabetes include: Insulin resistance Type 2 diabetes usually begins with insulin resistance , a condition in which muscle, liver, and fat cells do not use insulin well. As a result, your body needs more insulin to help glucose enter cells. At first, the pancreas makes more insulin to keep up with the added demand. Over time, the pancreas can’t make enough insulin, and blood glucose levels rise. Autoimmune disease Type 1 diabetes may happen when the immune system attacks the insulin producing cells in the pancreas Pancreatic damage Physical damage to the pancreas ( from a condition surgery or injury ) can impact its ability to make insulin Genetic mutations * Monogenic diabetes is caused by mutations, or changes, in a single gene. These changes are usually passed through families, but sometimes the gene mutation happens on its own. Most of these gene mutations cause diabetes by making the pancreas less able to make insulin. The most common types of monogenic diabetes are neonatal diabetes and maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY). Neonatal diabetes occurs in the first 6 months of life. Doctors usually diagnose MODY during adolescence or early adulthood, but sometimes the disease is not diagnosed until later in life. * Cystic fibrosis produces thick mucus that causes scarring in the pancreas. This scarring can prevent the pancreas from making enough insulin. * Hemochromatosis causes the body to store too much iron. If the disease is not treated, iron can build up in and damage the pancreas and other organs. What causes gestational diabetes? gestational diabetes, a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy, is caused by the hormonal changes of pregnancy along with genetic and lifestyle factors. Insulin resistance Hormones produced by the placenta contribute to insulin resistance, which occurs in all women during late pregnancy. Most pregnant women can produce enough insulin to overcome insulin resistance, but some cannot. Gestational diabetes occurs when the pancreas can’t make enough insulin.

Risk factors

• Risk factors for type 1 diabetes The main risk factors for type 1 diabetes include: 1) Family history: Having a parent or sibling with type 1 diabetes increases the risk of a person having the same type. If both parents have type 1 diabetes, the risk is even higher. 2) Age: Type 1 diabetes usually develops in younger adults and children. It is one of the most common chronic conditions that develop in childhood. Children are typically younger than 14 years old when they receive a diagnosis. Type 1 diabetes might occur at any age, although developing type 1 diabetes later in life is rare. 3) Genetics: Having specific genes may increase the risk of type 1 diabetes. A person’s doctor can check for these genes. 4) Other factors for type 1 diabetes are under investigation, such as this 2012 studyTrusted Source‘s suggestion that geographical distance from the equator can increase the risk. However, more research is necessary to confirm the other risk factors.
• Risk factors for type 2 diabetes -Unavoidable risk factors There are various risk factors for type 2 diabetes, some of which people cannot avoid, including: ● family history of the disease ● race, as African Americans, Asian Americans, Latino Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, or Pacific Islanders all have a higher risk for type 2 diabetes than other groups ● being over 45 years of age ● acanthosis nigricans, a condition where dark, thick, velvety skin develops around the neck or armpits ● a history of gestational diabetes ● depression ● having a baby that weighs over 9 pounds at birth ● having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) Preventable risk factors There are some risk factors for type 2 diabetes that people can take steps to try and avoid, including: ● getting little or no exercise ● hypertension, or high blood pressure ● obesity or being overweight, especially having excess weight around the midriff ● heart or blood vessel disease and stroke ● low levels of “good” cholesterol, or ●high-density lipoprotein (HDL).
• Risk factors for gestational diabetes Risk factors for gestational diabetes are much the same as other kinds of diabetes. These include: ● a family or personal history of diabetes ● prediabetes ● previous, unexplained stillbirths ● being overweight or obese ● unhealthful diet ● race

Complications

• Heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease. Diabetes majorly increases the risk of many heart problems. These can include coronary artery disease with chest pain (angina), heart attack, stroke and narrowing of arteries (atherosclerosis). If you have diabetes, you're more likely to have heart disease or stroke.
• Nerve damage from diabetes (diabetic neuropathy). Too much sugar can injure the walls of the tiny blood vessels (capillaries) that nourish the nerves, especially in the legs. This can cause tingling, numbness, burning or pain that usually begins at the tips of the toes or fingers and gradually spreads upward. Damage to the nerves related to digestion can cause problems with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation. For men, it may lead to erectile dysfunction.
• Kidney damage from diabetes (diabetic nephropathy). The kidneys hold millions of tiny blood vessel clusters (glomeruli) that filter waste from the blood. Diabetes can damage this delicate filtering system.
• Eye damage from diabetes (diabetic retinopathy). Diabetes can damage the blood vessels of the eye. This could lead to blindness.
• Foot damage. Nerve damage in the feet or poor blood flow to the feet increases the risk of many foot complications.
• Skin and mouth conditions. Diabetes may leave you more prone to skin problems, including bacterial and fungal infections.
• Hearing impairment. Hearing problems are more common in people with diabetes.
• People with diabetes. Alzheimer's disease. Type 2 diabetes may increase the risk of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease
• Depression related to diabetes. Depression symptoms are common in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Prevention

• Preventing diabetes mellitus is a multifaceted endeavor that centers on adopting a healthy lifestyle. A pivotal step involves cultivating dietary habits that prioritize balance and nutrition. 1. Healthy Diet: Encourage a balanced diet with sources of information like dietary guidelines from reputable health organizations. 2. Regular Exercise : Promote physical activity and exercise, referring to exercise guidelines from health authorities. 3. Weight Management : Provide information on maintaining a healthy weight through sources like nutritionists, healthcare providers, and fitness experts. 4. Blood Sugar Monitoring : Educate individuals on the importance of monitoring blood sugar levels, with guidance from healthcare professionals. 5. Screening and Early Detection : Encourage regular check-ups and screenings for diabetes risk factors, as advised by healthcare providers. 6. Stress Management : Discuss stress reduction techniques from sources like mental health professionals and stress management programs. 7. Limit Sugar and Processed Foods : Advise on reducing sugar and processed food intake based on dietary recommendations. 8. Education and Awareness :Raise awareness about diabetes prevention through sources like health campaigns, websites, and healthcare professionals. 9. Medication and Insulin : When necessary, medications or insulin therapy should be prescribed by healthcare providers. 10. Genetic Counseling : For those with a family history of diabetes, genetic counseling can be a valuable source of information. It's important to remember that genetics also play a role in diabetes risk, so some individuals may still develop diabetes despite following a healthy lifestyle. Working closely with a healthcare professional is crucial for effective risk management.

Extra Information

This article is done by Teryaq.info team with the help of
1- https://CDC.gov
2- https://mayoclinic.com
3- https://www.webmd.com
4- https://nimh.nih.gov
5- medical news today