Diabetes, or diabetes mellitus to give the condition its full name, is a chronic disease that affects how your body uses blood sugar. Knowing everything you need to know about diabetes can certainly help you or a loved one gain control of the diagnosis, which is why we’ve compiled all the essential information on the subject. We’ll cover what diabetes is, diabetes symptoms, tests and treatment, the different types of diabetes, and a whole range of frequently asked questions on the condition.

You’ll find all the facts on diabetes within this guide. And if you join Carecircle for free, you can become part of a global network for health to share your experiences and gain additional support from a worldwide community that includes carers, medical experts, and others living with diabetes. Together, let’s find our way to a better tomorrow.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic, long-lasting disease that affects how the body processes sugar (glucose). When you have an increase in blood sugar, such as after eating, your body sends a signal to your pancreas to produce the hormone insulin. In turn, insulin allows the blood sugar to be used or stored as energy in your body’s cells. If you have diabetes, your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it’s unable to use the insulin as well as it should. This problem results in too much glucose in your bloodstream, which can lead to other serious health conditions over time, such as:

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Kidney disease
• Hearing and vision loss

Types of Diabetes

There are different types of diabetes to be aware of. These include:

• Type 1 diabetes
• Type 2 diabetes
• Prediabetes
• Gestational diabetes mellitus

Although these types share a lot of similarities – especially in terms of symptoms – they have a lot of differences too. These include different underlying causes, how you manage and treat them, and who they’re more likely to affect. We’ll go over each type in more detail below.

Difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. It is a genetic condition that usually shows up in early life. It is less common than type 2 diabetes, and it cannot be treated by lifestyle changes.

Type 2 diabetes is where the body either does not produce enough insulin or the body becomes resistant to it, with cells not reacting to insulin. Type 2 diabetes is a lot more common than type 1. You can also help to manage this form of diabetes through healthy eating, regular exercise, and having a healthy body weight.

What is prediabetes?

Prediabetes, as the name suggests, is an early indicator of the disease. It is where your blood sugar levels are higher than they should be, although not yet high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. However, prediabetes is still a serious health condition. If untreated, it can lead to type 2 diabetes and increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. The main prediabetes symptoms are the same as diabetes, which we’ll go through shortly below.

What is gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. It is caused by insulin-blocking hormones in the placenta, which results in high blood sugar levels. It typically develops around the 24^th and 28^th weeks of pregnancy. If you have GDM, it does not mean you will have diabetes after your pregnancy or that you had it before. However, it does increase the risk of you and your child developing type 2 diabetes if left unmanaged. Like type 2 diabetes, a balanced healthy diet is central to managing GDM.

What are the symptoms of Diabetes?

Regardless of the type of the condition, there are common symptoms of diabetes to look out for. If you have these main symptoms or you think you might have the disease, always consult your doctor for a professional diagnosis and proper treatment. These main diabetes symptoms include:

• A noticeable increase in thirst and/or hunger
• Feeling thirsty often
• Frequent urination, especially at night
• A lack of energy and feeling tired
• Blurry vision
• Weight loss and/or muscle loss
• Itching around the genitals and/or regular thrush
• Sores, wounds, or cuts that heal slowly
• Loss of feeling and nerve damage in the feet (diabetic neuropathy)

Join Carecircle for free and find help, hope, and control with your diabetes diagnosis. Our global network for health makes you part of a worldwide community where your voice matters. Together, we can work toward a better future.

What causes Diabetes?

Although the different types of diabetes have the same central symptoms, the causes behind them can be different. We’ll cover the cause of each type below.

What causes type 1 diabetes?

Less common than type 2 diabetes, it is currently unknown what the exact cause of type 1 diabetes is. However, it is believed to be triggered by a combination of:

• Your genes and genetic factors
• Environmental factors, such as viruses

What causes type 2 diabetes and prediabetes?

Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes are also believed to be caused by genetic and environmental factors. However, these types of the condition can also be affected by:

• Bodyweight
• Inactive lifestyles
• Ethnicity, with Afro-Caribbean, Black African, and South Asian people at a higher risk

What causes gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is caused by hormones produced by the placenta. These hormones help your pregnancy, yet they can also make your cells resistant to insulin leading to this type of diabetes. Whilst the pancreas usually offsets this issue by producing more insulin, in the case of gestational diabetes, it cannot produce enough or keep up with the demand. The main risk factors include:

• Personal history (if you have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes)
• Genetic history (if a close relative has prediabetes or type 2 diabetes)
• Ethnicity (Asian, Black, and Hispanic peoples are at a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes)
• Being overweight

How do you diagnose Diabetes?

To diagnose diabetes – no matter what type – your clinician will perform a simple blood test to measure your blood glucose levels. This test will then be passed to a laboratory for analysis, with the results usually taking a few days. For type 1 diabetes, your doctor may also ask for a urine test as well. If you think you have symptoms of diabetes, always see your clinician to get a professional diagnosis and treatment.

What to do if you have Diabetes?

If you are showing symptoms of diabetes, you should see your doctor as soon as possible to be diagnosed professionally and to get the help and treatment you’ll need. If you are diagnosed as being diabetic – with any of the types of diabetes – you will also need to make some lifestyle changes. You can help take control of your diagnosis by:

• Achieving a healthy body weight
• Eating healthily
• Taking regular exercise
• Doing regular blood tests
• Quit smoking (to avoid potential complications)
• Taking your medication (if prescribed)
• Checking your feet for cuts and sores and ensuring you have comfortable footwear

You should also have some additional tests and checks done once a year to avoid further complications. These include:

• A cholesterol test
• A thorough eye screening exam to avoid a condition that can lead to sight loss if not treated (diabetic retinopathy)
• Blood and urine tests to check for kidney issues
• A dental check-up (higher blood sugar levels can lead to a higher risk of cavities and tooth decay)

You can also join Carecircle for free and become part of a global community where your health experiences matter. Find help, hope, and support from a worldwide network of carers, experts, and fellow diabetics facing similar difficulties. Together, we can create a better tomorrow for everyone living with diabetes.

What’s the treatment for Diabetes?

If you think you may have diabetes, seek a medical expert for diagnosis and treatment. Depending on the type of the condition, treatment of the disease also comes in different forms.

For type 1 diabetes, treatment involves:

• Injecting insulin into your body with an insulin pen (there are two main types of insulin, see below)
• Long-acting (basal) insulin is taken once or twice a day to maintain stable blood sugar levels between meals and overnight
• Fast-acting (bolus) insulin is taken before consuming carbohydrates – whether in a meal, drink, or snack – to reduce rising blood sugar levels
• Regular exercise, maintaining a healthy body weight, and eating healthily are highly recommended to avoid other complications

For type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and gestational diabetes, treatment involves regular exercise, maintaining a healthy body weight, and eating healthily, as these can reduce the symptoms of these types of diabetes and prevent the condition from worsening. In addition, you could be prescribed:

• Tablets which help keep your blood glucose at a healthy level
• If the tablets don’t work as they should, you may alternatively be prescribed insulin

Using an insulin pen

Using an insulin pen is easy to do and the needles are small, meaning it does not hurt to use it. Your clinician will show you how to use your insulin pen, how often to use it, and where you need to inject it.

Diabetes FAQs

Here, we provide all the essential info on your frequently asked diabetes questions. And we get straight to the point to provide you with direct answers as well.

Can diabetes be cured?

Currently, there is no cure to diabetes. However, diabetics can manage the condition, and it can be treated and controlled. Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes can be prevented, and the symptoms of the disease reversed into remission (greatly reduced). This can be achieved through healthy living, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy bodyweight.

How do you know if you have diabetes?

If you often feel thirsty and a need to urinate, and/or you experience a lack of energy, tiredness, and blurry vision, you may have diabetes. These are some of the main symptoms of the disease. If you show any of these signs, visit your doctor for a blood test, which will tell you if you do or do not have diabetes.

Does diabetes make you tired?

Yes, feeling tired is one of the main symptoms of diabetes. A lack of energy, general fatigue, and lethargy can be the result of high blood sugar levels and other complications of diabetes.

How do you get diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is believed to be linked to genetic and environmental factors. Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes also share this link, but are affected by weight and lifestyle choices. Gestational diabetes can occur during pregnancy. Again, this condition is linked to genetic and environmental factors, and weight and lifestyle choices.

What does pre-diabetes mean?

Pre-diabetes, or prediabetes, is where blood sugar levels in your body are higher than they should be, although not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. If untreated, it can lead to type 2 diabetes and other serious medical conditions.

How to control diabetes?

You can control type 1 diabetes by taking your medication (insulin). Prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes can be controlled with medications (via tablets or insulin) and also eating healthily, regular exercise, and maintaining a heathy bodyweight.

Can you get rid of diabetes?

Currently, you cannot get rid of diabetes. At the moment, there is no cure. However, it is possible to send the symptoms of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes into remission through lifestyle changes, exercise, and healthy eating.

Do you have a question about diabetes? Join the conversation for free and get all the answers you need at Carecircle. Share your experiences of the condition and become part of a better tomorrow.

Diabetes Resources

If you’re diabetic, a carer, or an interested party looking for further information and support, explore some of these additional diabetes resources. At Carecircle, we are always happy to point you in the right direction.

• https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention/index.html
• https://www.diabetes.org.uk/
• https://www.diabetes.co.uk/
• https://www.rcn.org.uk/clinical-topics/Diabetes/Professional-Resources
• https://www.knowdiabetes.org.uk/for-you/free-resources/
• https://www.diabeteseducator.org/living-with-diabetes
• https://trenddiabetes.online/resources/
• https://www.diabetes.org/tools-support
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/type-2-diabetes/finding-help-and-support/
• https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/gim/faculty-resources/core_resources/Patient%20Handouts/
• https://diabetesed.net/resources-for-patients/

Although the different types of diabetes have different underlying causes, they all share the main symptoms, including increased thirst, weight loss, blurry vision, and a need to urinate more often. If you show symptoms of diabetes, always seek professional medical advice for an expert diagnosis and treatment.

Guide Sources

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetes/
• https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes#causes
• https://www.healthline.com/health/gestational-diabetes#diagnosis-of-type-2-diabetes
• https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes
• https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20371444
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323627
• https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/diabetes/diabetes
• https://www.diabetes.org.uk/
• https://www.diabetes.co.uk/
• https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/diabetes.html
• https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/prediabetes.html
• https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/prevention/index.html
• https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/differences-between-type-1-and-type-2-diabetes#:~:text=The%20main%20difference%20between%20the,producing%20cells%20in%20your%20pancreas
• https://www.rcn.org.uk/clinical-topics/Diabetes/Professional-Resources
• https://www.knowdiabetes.org.uk/for-you/free-resources/
• https://www.diabeteseducator.org/living-with-diabetes
• https://trenddiabetes.online/resources/
• https://www.diabetes.org/tools-support
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/type-2-diabetes/finding-help-and-support/
• https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/gim/faculty-resources/core_resources/Patient%20Handouts/
• https://diabetesed.net/resources-for-patients/