What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistently elevated blood glucose levels. It occurs when the body either cannot produce enough insulin or cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, helps glucose enter cells to be used as energy.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 463 million adults worldwide have diabetes – that’s 1 in 11 people. China has experienced one of the fastest-growing diabetes rates, with adult prevalence reaching 11.2%.
Types of Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes
- Characteristics: Autoimmune condition where the pancreas produces little to no insulin
- Onset: Typically develops in children or young adults
- Treatment: Requires lifelong insulin therapy
- Prevalence: Accounts for 5-10% of all diabetes cases
Type 2 Diabetes
- Characteristics: Insulin resistance or insufficient insulin production
- Onset: Mostly adults, though increasingly seen in younger populations
- Treatment: Managed through lifestyle changes, oral medications, or insulin
- Prevalence: Represents 90% or more of diabetes cases
Gestational Diabetes
- Characteristics: Glucose intolerance during pregnancy
- Risks: Increases future type 2 diabetes risk for both mother and child
- Management: Typically controlled through diet and exercise
Other Specific Types
Includes diabetes caused by genetic defects, pancreatic diseases, or medications (relatively rare).
Common Symptoms
Early stages may show no obvious symptoms, but common indicators include:
- Excessive thirst and frequent urination
- Increased hunger
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue and irritability
- Blurred vision
- Slow-healing wounds
- Tingling or numbness in hands/feet
Many people with type 2 diabetes remain undiagnosed for years, making regular check-ups crucial.
Diagnostic Criteria
Diabetes is diagnosed through blood glucose tests:
- Fasting Plasma Glucose: ≥7.0 mmol/L after 8-hour fast
- Random Plasma Glucose: ≥11.1 mmol/L with symptoms
- Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT): ≥11.1 mmol/L at 2 hours
- HbA1c: ≥6.5%
Borderline results may indicate “prediabetes,” a reversible condition through lifestyle interventions.
Potential Complications
Chronic high blood sugar can damage multiple organ systems:
Acute Complications
- Diabetic ketoacidosis (more common in type 1)
- Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (more common in type 2)
- Severe hypoglycemia
Chronic Complications
- Microvascular:
- Diabetic retinopathy (can lead to blindness)
- Diabetic nephropathy (can lead to kidney failure)
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Macrovascular:
- Coronary artery disease
- Stroke
- Peripheral arterial disease
- Other:
- Diabetic foot (can lead to amputation)
- Skin conditions
- Cognitive decline
Prevention & Management
Prevention (Especially for Type 2)
- Maintain healthy weight
- Eat balanced diet with controlled calories
- Regular exercise (≥150 minutes moderate activity weekly)
- Avoid tobacco and limit alcohol
- Regular health screenings
Management Strategies
- Dietary Approaches:
- Monitor carbohydrate intake
- Choose low glycemic index foods
- Increase fiber consumption
- Limit saturated fats
- Physical Activity:
- Aerobic exercise (brisk walking, swimming, cycling)
- Resistance training (weights, resistance bands)
- Flexibility exercises (yoga, tai chi)
- Medications:
- Oral agents (metformin, SGLT-2 inhibitors)
- Insulin therapy (essential for type 1, some type 2)
- GLP-1 receptor agonists
- Self-Monitoring:
- Regular blood glucose checks
- Blood pressure and lipid monitoring
- Periodic HbA1c tests
- Foot and eye examinations
- Psychological Support:
- Diabetes education
- Counseling
- Support groups
Recent Advances
Notable developments in diabetes research:
- Artificial pancreas systems: Combining continuous glucose monitors with insulin pumps
- Stem cell therapies: Generating insulin-producing cells from stem cells
- Gut microbiome research: Exploring links between gut bacteria and diabetes
- New medications: Dual-target agonists and other innovative treatments
- Digital health tools: Apps and wearables for diabetes management
Common Myths Debunked
- Myth: Eating too much sugar causes diabetes
Fact: Multiple factors contribute; sugar alone doesn’t cause diabetes but may increase obesity risk - Myth: Only older adults get diabetes
Fact: Diabetes can occur at any age, including childhood - Myth: People with diabetes can’t eat fruit
Fact: Moderate amounts of low-GI fruits are acceptable with proper timing - Myth: Insulin is addictive
Fact: Insulin is a natural hormone essential for life - Myth: Diabetes can be cured
Fact: Currently no cure exists, but effective management is possible
Practical Advice
- Get educated: Knowledge is your first defense
- Build support: Engage family, friends and healthcare providers
- Set realistic goals: Aim for consistent control, not perfection
- Track data: Monitor glucose, diet and activity patterns
- Stay positive: Diabetes management shouldn’t prevent a fulfilling life
While diabetes requires lifelong management, modern approaches enable people with diabetes to lead healthy, active lives. The keys are awareness, prevention, early detection and proper management. If you have diabetes risk factors, regular screening is recommended.
Remember: Diabetes management is a team effort involving patients, families and healthcare professionals. With ongoing medical advances, the future of diabetes care continues to brighten.