Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by elevated levels of blood sugar (glucose) either due to insufficient insulin production, resistance to insulin's action, or both. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, helps regulate blood sugar levels by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells for energy production. There are several types of diabetes, with type 1 and type 2 being the most common:
Type 1 Diabetes: Type 1 diabetes, often referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes, occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body produces little to no insulin. Individuals with type 1 diabetes require lifelong insulin therapy to survive. Type 1 diabetes typically develops in childhood or adolescence, although it can occur at any age.
Type 2 Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes, formerly known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes or adult-onset diabetes, is the most common form of diabetes. It occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin's action or fails to produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes is often associated with lifestyle factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, and poor diet. While it is more common in adults, it is increasingly being diagnosed in children and adolescents due to rising rates of obesity.
Other types of diabetes include gestational diabetes, which develops during pregnancy and usually resolves after childbirth, and monogenic diabetes, which is caused by mutations in a single gene.
Common symptoms of diabetes include:
- Frequent urination (polyuria): Excess sugar in the blood leads to increased urination as the body tries to remove the excess glucose.
- Excessive thirst (polydipsia): Increased urination can cause dehydration, leading to feelings of thirst.
- Increased hunger (polyphagia): The body's cells may not be receiving enough glucose for energy, despite high blood sugar levels, leading to increased appetite.
- Fatigue: Insufficient glucose uptake by cells can result in feelings of tiredness and fatigue.
- Unexplained weight loss (in type 1 diabetes): Without adequate insulin, the body may break down muscle and fat for energy, leading to unintentional weight loss.
- Blurry vision: High blood sugar levels can cause changes in the shape of the lens in the eye, resulting in blurred vision.