What is Diabetes? What are the Symptoms of Diabetes?

Most people know diabetes as "sugar disease." However, this is only one aspect of it. Simply put, diabetes, known as diabetes mellitus, is a chronic disease characterized by high levels of glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream.

What is Diabetes?

Most people know diabetes as "sugar disease." However, this is only one aspect of it. Simply put, diabetes, known as diabetes mellitus, is a chronic disease characterized by high levels of glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream. The word "diabetes" comes from the Greek word siphon (a tube bent to let liquid flow through) and the Latin word mellitus meaning "honey-sweet." This name perfectly describes the disease: constant thirst and frequent urination are typical symptoms of diabetes. These symptoms are caused by the pancreas' inability to produce enough insulin or the body's resistance to the effects of insulin—or a combination of both. To understand what this means, it's important to know where glucose in our body comes from, what it is used for, and how it is regulated by insulin.

What are the Symptoms of Diabetes?

The most common early symptom of diabetes is an increased feeling of thirst and frequent urination. These early signs are usually related to hyperglycemia, which is the scientific term for high blood glucose levels.

The general symptoms of diabetes include:

• Increased hunger
• Increased thirst
• Weight loss
• Frequent urination
• Blurry vision
• Extreme fatigue
• Non-healing wounds

Additionally, men may experience a decrease in sexual desire and symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED), while women may experience urinary tract infections, yeast infections, and dry, itchy skin lesions.

What are the Types of Diabetes?

There are several types of diabetes, but the two most common are:

• Type 1 Diabetes
• Type 2 Diabetes

What is Type 1 Diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes typically begins before the age of 30 and can appear suddenly in people of normal weight. In this type (formerly known as insulin-dependent diabetes), the immune system attacks and destroys the pancreas' beta cells, which results in the pancreas being unable to produce sufficient insulin. Since it often starts in childhood, Type 1 diabetes is sometimes called early-onset diabetes. It can also occur in adults, but this is much rarer. Type 1 diabetes is a serious condition that cannot be treated by simply losing weight or being cautious about food. Patients with Type 1 diabetes must take insulin injections several times a day to prevent blood sugar from rising to lethal levels and to avoid long-term complications.

What are the Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes?

The early symptoms of Type 1 diabetes often appear suddenly and can sometimes be quite alarming. When insulin production decreases, glucose accumulates in the bloodstream instead of being transported to body cells that need it for energy. As mentioned earlier, the rise in glucose in the blood leads to thirst and the excess glucose in the urine causes frequent urination. Furthermore, in an attempt to produce more fuel, the body begins breaking down fat tissues and releasing fatty acids. These fatty acids are metabolized into chemicals called ketones, which raise the acid levels in the blood to dangerous levels (a condition known as ketoacidosis). The early signs of diabetic ketoacidosis include:

• Excessive thirst and urination
• Dehydration
• Weight loss
• Nausea and vomiting
• Hunger
• Dry, red skin
• Rapid breathing
• Abdominal pain
• Mental confusion

One of the most distinctive symptoms is the fruity or acetone-like odor of the breath. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a medical emergency that requires immediate hospitalization.

What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90-95% of all diabetes cases and typically develops later in life in overweight individuals. In this type (formerly referred to as adult-onset diabetes), beta cells continue to produce insulin, but either the amount is insufficient, or the body cells become resistant to insulin.

Most patients with Type 2 diabetes are obese. Type 2 diabetes develops gradually and is usually diagnosed in adulthood. However, with the increasing prevalence of obesity among children, this disease is being seen more often in children. Type 2 diabetes can often be controlled without the need for insulin treatment, through exercise, a proper diet, weight loss, and oral medications. Therefore, Type 2 diabetes is also referred to as non-insulin-dependent diabetes. However, many patients eventually require insulin therapy.

What are the Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes generally develops slowly over many years, and early symptoms may not be noticeable. In fact, many people are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes through routine laboratory tests showing high blood glucose levels. With rising glucose levels, many people experience the other symptoms mentioned earlier:

• Increased urination
• Increased thirst and fluid intake
• Increased hunger in later stages
• Weight loss despite increased food intake
• Blurry vision
• Fatigue and weakness
• Recurrent vaginal yeast infections

These are temporary symptoms that do not cause permanent damage and disappear once the blood glucose level is brought under control. In some people, complications such as peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage in the hands and feet) or coronary heart disease may appear as early signs of diabetes. These complications can be managed but cannot be eliminated.

Another possible early symptom of diabetes is non-ketotic hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome. This can occur when major illness or severe infection causes an extreme rise in blood glucose (over 600 mg/dL), which may overwhelm the body’s ability to control it. Even though the insulin level is not high enough to produce excessive ketones, this condition prevents the body from avoiding hyperosmolarity (literally, thickening of the blood), which involves high levels of sodium, glucose, and molecules that draw water into the bloodstream.

The symptoms of hyperosmolar hyperglycemic syndrome include dry mouth, increased hunger, nausea or vomiting, and dry, burning skin. Severe dehydration can lead to numbness, confusion, or even loss of consciousness, worsening the condition. In extreme cases, it can lead to a coma. To avoid death, insulin therapy and large amounts of intravenous fluids are essential. If you observe any of these symptoms in someone close to you, contact your doctor immediately or call an ambulance.

How is Diabetes Treated?

Finding out that you have a chronic illness like diabetes can understandably be disheartening. However, the positive aspect is that diabetes is a condition that responds very well to treatment. Moreover, when you tell the people around you that you have diabetes, you’ll be surprised to learn how many people in your circle are in the same situation and are generally leading quite normal, productive lives. Additionally, the vast amount of research being conducted on diabetes means that in the coming years, you will continue to discover new treatment methods.

The Goal of Diabetes Treatment

The goal of diabetes treatment is to keep your blood sugar and other risk factors (such as cholesterol and blood pressure) under control, preventing complications in the long term. How well you can achieve this goal will depend on factors like your age, weight, eating and exercise habits, work schedule, previous health issues, and whether your diabetes is Type 1 or Type 2. You will need to follow a personalized treatment plan that takes all these factors into account, and you will also need to show patience and determination to consistently adhere to the plan. For many people with diabetes, this means regularly monitoring blood sugar levels, restricting certain foods, losing weight, and taking medication either orally or through injections.

Which Doctor Should You Consult for Diabetes?

Most likely, your family doctor will determine the various aspects of your diabetes treatment—but don’t think they’ll be doing this alone. While basic health care for diabetics is more complex, it’s better to seek help from a professional team specialized in the different aspects of the disease. The captain of your ideal team should be a good family doctor experienced in diabetes treatment—a general practitioner or internist. In some cases, especially with Type 1 diabetes, you may need a certified endocrinologist— a doctor specially trained in hormone-related disorders (remember that insulin is a hormone). Whether you seek treatment from a general practitioner or a specialist depends on your specific situation and which doctor is accessible to you. The phrase “Always concrete evidence is needed” here means undergoing regular check-ups—such as an A1c test—and feeling good. If your check-ups are not done regularly or if your doctor doesn’t seem to take diabetes seriously, you should seek another path. However, if your A1c levels are stable and your condition is improving, then you should definitely stick with your current doctor.