Is diabetes dangerous?

We will give you everything you should know about the symptoms of diabetes at its beginning to avoid major health risks

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a disorder that occurs when the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood rises to abnormal levels. 

This disease can affect people of all ages, and most of its types are chronic conditions that last a lifetime. However, diabetes can be managed and controlled through appropriate medications and lifestyle modifications.

Glucose, or sugar, comes mainly from carbohydrates found in foods and drinks, and is considered the main energy source that the body depends on. Glucose travels through the bloodstream to reach the various cells of the body, where it is used as fuel to complete vital functions.

In order for glucose to enter cells, it needs a key to help it pass through, and this key is the hormone insulin. When insulin production decreases or the body’s ability to use it efficiently declines, glucose accumulates in the blood, leading to an increase in its level and the occurrence of a condition known as hyperglycemia.

Over time, persistent high blood sugar can cause various health problems, including heart disease, nerve damage, and vision problems.

What are the types of diabetes?

There are several types of diabetes, some more common than others. The following are the most prominent types:

• Type 2 diabetes: In this type, the body's cells become less responsive to it, which is known as insulin resistance. The pancreatic cells try to produce more insulin, until they become stressed and produce less insulin than normal. The second type is classified as the most common, as it often affects adults, but it may also appear in children.
• Pre-diabetes: It is a condition that represents the step before developing type 2 diabetes. At this stage, the blood sugar level is higher than normal, but it does not reach the level that officially proves the presence of diabetes.
• Type 1 diabetes: This type is considered an autoimmune disease, in which the immune system attacks and destroys the pancreatic cells responsible for producing insulin for no apparent reason.
• Gestational diabetes: Some women may develop high blood sugar levels during pregnancy.

Other less common types of diabetes

• Type 3c diabetes: This type occurs as a result of damage to the pancreas (excluding autoimmune damage) that affects its ability to produce insulin. Conditions such as pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis, or hemochromatosis can lead to this damage, and removing the pancreas can lead to type 3C.
• Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA): This type is similar to type 1 diabetes in that it is associated with an autoimmune disorder, but it develops much more slowly than type 1, and is most often diagnosed in people over the age of 30.
• Diabetes of the young (MODY): Also known as monogenic diabetes, it results from a genetic mutation that affects the way the body produces or uses insulin.
• Neonatal diabetes: It is a rare type that appears in infants during the first six months of their lives, and also belongs to the category of monogenic diabetes.
• Brittle diabetes mellitus: It is a highly variable form of type 1, characterized by recurrent and severe episodes of high or low blood sugar, which may require repeated hospitalization. In rare cases, a pancreas transplant may be a final solution to treat this type.

Find out more about: Diabetes and Endocrinology Treatment Center

How common is diabetes?

Diabetes is one of the most common diseases in the world. In the United States alone, approximately 37.3 million people live with this disease, equivalent to about 11% of the total population.

Globally, the number of adults with diabetes is estimated at about 537 million people, and expert expectations indicate that these numbers will continue to rise in the coming years, as the number of those affected is expected to reach 643 million by 2030, and to 783 million by 2045.

Symptoms of diabetes and the most important causes

Signs of diabetes include increased thirst, frequent urination, and slow wound healing.

What are the most common symptoms of diabetes?

The most common symptoms of diabetes include:

• Excessive thirst (excessive drinking) and dry mouth.
• Frequent urination.
• Feeling constantly exhausted.
• Blurred or blurred vision.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• A sensation of numbness or tingling in the hands or feet.
• Slow healing of wounds or ulcers.
• Exposure to recurrent skin or vaginal yeast infections.

Additional details about the symptoms of each type of diabetes:

• Type 1 diabetes: Symptoms of this type appear quickly over a few weeks or months, and may be accompanied by serious signs that alert to the occurrence of a complication known as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which is a life-threatening medical emergency, and its symptoms include: vomiting, stomach pain, abnormal mouth odor, and difficulty breathing.
• Symptoms of type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes: The infected person may not feel any symptoms at first, or the signs may be so mild that they are difficult to notice due to their slow development, and the disease is often discovered incidentally during a routine blood test that shows high sugar levels.
• Gestational diabetes: Pregnant women often do not notice any obvious symptoms.

What are the causes of diabetes?

The appearance of diabetes of all types is linked to an increase in the level of glucose in the blood, but the reason behind this increase varies according to the type of sugar. The most prominent causes and factors leading to the disease can be summarized Below:

1- Insulin resistance:

It is considered the main cause of the development of type 2 diabetes, and it occurs when the body’s cells in the muscles, fat, and liver lose their sensitivity to insulin and do not respond to it in the desired manner. A group of factors interfere in the occurrence of insulin resistance to varying degrees, مثل:

• السمنة
• Lack of physical activity
• Unhealthy eating habits
• Hormonal disorders
• Genetic factors
• Some types of medications

2- Autoimmune diseases:

Type 1 diabetes and latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA) appear as a result of the immune system attacking the pancreatic cells responsible for producing insulin, gradually destroying them.

3- Hormonal imbalances:

During pregnancy, the placenta secretes hormones that reduce the body's ability to respond to insulin. If the pancreas is unable to compensate for this imbalance by producing an additional amount of insulin, symptoms of diabetes appear in women.

There are also some other hormonal disorders;

4- Pancreatic damage:

Direct damage to the pancreas can result;

5- Genetic mutations:

Some inherited genetic mutations may cause certain types of diabetes, such as MODY and neonatal diabetes.

6- Medicines:

Long-term use of some medications can lead to a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. ومن أبرزها:

• Some HIV treatments
• الكورتيكوستيرويدات

Read also: Symptoms of insulin resistance in women, methods of testing and treatment

What are the complications of diabetes?

Diabetes can cause serious and sudden complications, as well as long-term complications that appear gradually.

First: severe complications of diabetes

These complications are very serious and may be life-threatening. Include:

1- Case of hyperosmolar blood sugar (HHS)

It usually affects type 2 patients.

2- Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

It often appears in people with the first type or in those who have not yet been diagnosed. It occurs as a result of a severe lack of insulin, which forces the body to use fats to produce energy, resulting in the formation of ketones that lead to acidity in the blood. Its symptoms include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Abnormal breath odor
• Loss of consciousness

3- Severe low blood sugar

It occurs when the blood sugar level drops to a dangerous level, and is most often seen in diabetics who use insulin. Its symptoms include:

• Blurred vision
• Confusion
• Disorder
• Seizures

Second: long-term complications of diabetes

Chronically high blood sugar can cause damage to nerves and blood vessels, leading to a wide range of health problems, ومن أبرزها:

1- Cardiovascular diseases: These are the most common and include:

• أمراض القلب التاجية
• Heart attacks
• السكتة الدماغية
• arteriosclerosis

2- Nerve damage (neuropathy): It may appear as the following:

• numbness
• tingling
• Pain in the extremities

3- Kidney disease: It may develop to me:

• Kidney failure
• The need for dialysis
• Kidney transplant

4- Retinopathy: It may eventually lead to vision loss.

5- Diabetic foot problems: Such as sores, infections, and foot deformities, which in advanced cases may lead to amputation.

6- Recurring skin infections

7- Sexual disorders: resulting from damage to nerves and vessels, مثل:

• Erectile dysfunction
• Vaginal dryness

8- Stomach paralysis

9- Hearing loss

10- Oral and dental problems: Such as gum disease.

How is diabetes diagnosed?

The doctor diagnoses diabetes by checking the blood glucose level. There are several common tests used to determine the condition, such as:

• Fasting blood sugar test: This test requires fasting from food and drink except water for at least eight hours.
• Random blood sugar test: It can be performed at any time, without the need to fast, and gives an immediate indication of blood sugar level.
• A1c test (glycated hemoglobin): This test reflects your average blood sugar level over the past two to three months, giving a clearer picture of your long-term diabetes control.

To screen and diagnose gestational diabetes, doctors recommend an oral glucose tolerance test during the appropriate period of pregnancy.

How is diabetes treated?

Managing diabetes is a complex process and varies from person to person, so an individual treatment plan must be designed to suit each case. It includes the basic pillars of disease management ما يلي:

• Blood sugar monitoring: Monitoring your glucose levels is an essential step in understanding the effectiveness of your treatment plan. This can be done using a finger prick glucometer or continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices, giving you accurate data about your disease control on a daily, and perhaps real-time, basis.
• Oral diabetes medications: These medications help regulate sugar in people who still produce some insulin, especially those with type 2 or pre-diabetes. They can also sometimes be used in gestational diabetes, and metformin is one of the most popular of these medications.
• Insulin: Type 1 diabetics need insulin for daily life, while some type 2 patients may also need insulin. There are multiple types that differ in the speed of action and length of response, and they can be given via injections, insulin pens, insulin pumps, or fast-acting inhaled insulin.
• Healthy diet: Meal planning is considered one of the most important elements of diabetes control. Food directly affects sugar levels, especially when using insulin, as the amount of carbohydrates must be calculated to adjust insulin doses. A balanced diet also helps maintain weight and reduce the risk of heart disease.
• Practicing physical activity: Exercise increases the body's sensitivity to insulin, reducing cell resistance to it, and is an essential part of diabetes management for all patients.

Frequently asked questions about diabetes symptoms

What is the A1c test and why is it used?

The A1c test measures the average blood sugar level over the last 2-3 months and is used to diagnose diabetes and monitor its control.

Can diabetes be completely cured?

There is no cure for diabetes, but it can be controlled and managed effectively to maintain good health and a high quality of life.

What is the difference between insulin resistance and diabetes?

Insulin resistance means the body's cells do not respond to insulin, while diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar rises as a result of this or lack of insulin production.

How do psychological stresses affect diabetes?

Stress increases the secretion of hormones that raise blood sugar, making it difficult to control the level Glucose It affects disease management.

What are the early signs of diabetes in children and young people?

They include extreme thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, and constant fatigue, and symptoms often appear quickly compared to adults.

And for more about: Normal blood sugar level according to age 

If you notice any symptoms of diabetes, such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, or constant fatigue, do not hesitate to consult specialists to accurately evaluate your condition. Al Mousa Health Group Comprehensive services for early diagnosis and management of diabetes, with personalized follow-up programs and nutritional and treatment advice to help you control the disease and live healthier.