Diabetes Mellitus or generally known as Diabetes is one of the most common lifestyle diseases in India, as 5% of its population suffers from this disease. With the highest number of cases in the world, it is expected the number will rise up to 123 million by 2040. There are two types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. India has been referred to as a ‘Diabetes Capital' by the Times of India, as 50 million people suffered from type 2 diabetes.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is caused by defects in insulin levels in the human body. It is a condition when the glucose levels (blood sugar) increase in the body. This develops when the organ called the pancreas does not produce enough insulin in the body or the body is unable to use the produced insulin effectively. Insulin is a hormone that is responsible for moving the sugar from your blood to the cells, which is either stored or used as energy. Thus, insulin lowers the level of sugar in the blood, and any malfunction in the process leads to diabetes.
Additionally, high levels of blood glucose can cause you multiple health problems related to the eye, heart, kidneys, and nerves.
Types of Diabetes?
There are different types of diabetes, and the most common ones include:
Type 1 Diabetes
This type of diabetes is also known as an autoimmune disease, in which the immune system attacks and kills cells that produce insulin in the pancreas known as the beta cells. The reason behind this attack is unknown. The destruction of these beta cells leads to low production of insulin, resulting in high levels of blood sugar in the body. Type 1 diabetes can be diagnosed at any age; however, it typically affects children or young adults.
Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes
Here are a few common symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes:
- Urge to urinate frequently
- Sudden weight loss
- Blurry vision
- Fatigue or exhaustion
- Frequent skin infections
- Difficulty breathing
- Frequent stomach pain
Type 2 Diabetes
It is the most common type of diabetes, with more than 95% of people with diabetes having type 2 diabetes. It mostly occurs in middle age. In this type of diabetes, your body doesn’t make sufficient insulin, or the body doesn’t respond to the insulin, i.e., insulin resistance. It is generally diagnoesd in adults but can be seen in children as well.
Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
Here are a few common symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes:
- Slow healing of wounds
- Regular fatigue or tiredness
- Blurry vision
- Mouth infections
- Skin infections
- Urge to urinate frequently
- Intense hunger
- Heavy thirst
Gestational Diabetes
This type of diabetes is generally found among women during pregnancy. This happens due to an increase in the level of blood sugar in the body during pregnancy. However, a woman can give birth to a healthy baby even after being diagnosed with gestational diabetes by taking medical assistance. Generally, after the birth, gestational diabetes goes away, but if not treated timely, you may have chances of developing Type 2 diabetes in the future.
Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes
Typically, gestational diabetes is diagnosed during maternity routine tests. However, in some cases, these are a few symptoms that women can experience:
- Urge to urinate frequently
- Intense hunger
- Heavy thurst
Remember, each of the above diabetes has unique symptoms and causes, and you must visit a healthcare professional for a diagnosis or any other medical assistance.
What Causes Diabetes?
Regardless of the type of diabetes, it can be caused by an excessive amount of glucose circulating in your bloodstream. However, the reason behind the soaring glucose levels depends upon the type of diabetes you might have. Here are the causes behind the different types of diabetes:
Causes of Type 1 Diabetes
This is an autoimmune condition where the immune system, which fights against various harmful viruses and bacteria, mistakenly attacks the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. However, the exact cause of this type of diabetes is still unknown, but genetics and environmental factors, such as viral infections, might trigger this type of diabetic condition. Generally, people with Type 1 diabetes cannot produce insulin and rely on insulin injections for life.
Causes of Type 2 Diabetes
The primary cause of Type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance, where your body cells become less responsive to insulin. This condition is generally caused by genetics or lifestyle factors. Moreover, a blend of genetics and lifestyle factors such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, physical inactivity, or age triggers this condition. However, unlike Type 1 diabetes, your body produces insulin, but it is either insufficient or ineffective.
Causes of Gestational Diabetes
This type of diabetes usually occurs during the third trimester of the pregnancy. During pregnancy, the placenta develops an excessive amount of glucose in the blood. As the body becomes resistant to insulin during pregnancy, it triggers gestational diabetes in women. If you are overweight during pregnancy or have a family history of diabetes, your chances of developing gestational diabetes are high. However, certain lifestyle changes can also trigger this condition in women.
How to Prevent Diabetes?
The only way to keep any type of diabetes at bay is to lead a healthy life. Here are a few ways to prevent diabetes:
- Ensure a healthy diet by consuming more fruits, green vegetables, food rich in fiber, and whole grains.
- Aim for 30 minutes per day of physical activity or at least take an hour walk.
- If you have obesity or are overweight, try to cut down to a healthy body weight, as it increases the chances of developing diabetes 10 times.
- Avoid consuming sugar, refined carbohydrates, saturated and trans fats.
- Manage stress and ensure an adequate sleep of at least 7-9 hours.
- Limit your alcohol intake and quit smoking.
- To prevent gestational diabetes, try to maintain a healthy weight before getting pregnant and switch to a healthy lifestyle.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Diabetes
Here are the following ways to treat or diagnose different types of diabetes:
Diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes can be diagnosed by the following tests:-
- Fasting Blood Test: For this test, you are suggested to take an overnight break; if the blood sugar level is below 100 mg/dL, it is normal. However, a fasting blood sugar level of 100 mg/dL to 125 mg/dL is considered prediabetes, where your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. Anything higher than this is definitely considered diabetes.
- Random Blood Test: No matter when you ate last, a random blood sugar test can be taken. If the blood sugar level is 200 mg/dL, it is considered diabetes. It can be coupled with symptoms like frequent urination, intense hunger, and more.
- Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1C) Test: Doctors generally recommend an A1C test when someone is diagnosed with diabetes. There’s no need to fast for this particular test, and you can eat and drink normally. This test measures your average blood sugar level over the past two to three months.
Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes
Unfortunately, there is no cure for Type 1 diabetes, but it can be managed and prevented in the following ways:
- By required taking insulin therapy
- Regularly monitoring blood sugar levels
- Rich diet with fruits and vegetables
- Following an active lifestyle
Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes can be diagnosed with the above-mentioned tests for Type 1 diabetes. However, here are a few additional tests and diagnoses for the condition:
- Oral Glucose Tolerance Test: For this test, you need to fast overnight, after which your doctor checks your blood sugar level. Additionally, you will be asked to drink a liquid containing 75 gms or 100 gms of glucose, which tastes like a noncarbonated soda. Next, the doctor will take another blood sample after two to three hours of drinking the glucose liquid to check the blood sugar levels. If the level is 200 mg/dL or above, it indicates diabetes.
- Kidney Function Tests: Your healthcare provider may further ask you to undergo another laboratory test to examine the function of your kidney. If the functions are impaired, it is because of diabetes.
Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes
You can treat Type 2 diabetes by the following methods:
- Lead a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and losing extra weight.
- Follow a healthy diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.
- Take insulin-based injections or medications such as Metformin and Alpha-glocosidase inhibitors.
- Keep a check on your blood sugar levels as suggested by the doctor.
- Manage and control your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
- If required, get support for your mental health.
>> Also Read: What is Gestational Diabetes? How Does it Affect Expecting Mothers?
Diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is generally diagnosed during the third trimester. During this type of test, a sugary drink is consumed an hour before a blood test is taken to check the sugar levels in the body. If the blood sugar is 130 ml/dL or above, another fasting test will be conducted within 3 hours of the gap. A follow-up test may be required if the woman experiences symptoms of gestational diabetes.
Treatment of Gestational Diabetes
Around 2 to 10 percent of women are affected by gestational diabetes every year. However, with regular check-ups and awareness, you can treat this type of diabetes. Here are a few ways to treat gestational diabetes:
- Get a nutritious diet plan focusing on pregnancy.
- Include mild exercises in your routine.
- Check your blood sugar levels twice or three times a day; get a urine test if required.
- Keep a check on your weight and try maintaining a healthy weight during pregnancy.
Wrapping Up!
Sedentary lifestyles are taking a toll on people’s health. Every two out of three people die due to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes being the major cause. Hence, it is important to monitor and control this chronic condition with medications and by improving your lifestyle. Additionally, it is important to have a health insurance for diabetes to deal with any complications and rising medical costs. We at Care Health Insurance offer a customised health insurance plan, Care Freedom, which provides health coverage on a family-floater basis. This plan includes a short waiting period of 2 years, which is generally for 2-4 years in regular health insurance policies in case of pre-existing disease. Therefore, making it a great choice for people suffering from diabetes.
Disclaimer: Kindly consult a professional medical expert to verify the details of your health concerns. Also, verifying the policy details and coverage with the official policy documents is essential.
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