Diabetes: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

According to Oriental Daily, Malaysia has the title of "Asia's Sweetest Country". According to the National Health and Morbidity Study Survey (NHMS) 2019, there are approximately 3.9 million Malaysians living with diabetes. The incidence has risen from 13.4% in 2015 to 18.3% in 2019. This equates to 1 in 5 adults in our country with diabetes, and 49% of these patients do not know they have diabetes.

Did you know that there are different types of diabetes?

Before understanding diabetes, understand glucose and insulin: Glucose is the fuel that provides energy for the body's cells, and insulin is the key to getting glucose into cells. People with type 1 diabetes produce little or no insulin. But with the help of insulin therapy and other treatments, patients can learn to manage their condition.

1. Type 1 diabetes (formerly known as insulin-dependent or juvenile diabetes): It is usually diagnosed in children, adolescents, and young adults, but it can also occur in some adults. Type 1 diabetes is less common than type 2, and only about 5-10% of people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.
2. Type 2 diabetes ( the most common type of diabetes), people with type 2 diabetes have insulin resistance , which means that the body still produces insulin but cannot use it effectively, resulting in a buildup of sugar in the blood. While some people can manage their glycemic index by eating healthy and exercising, others may need medication or insulin to help control it.
3. Gestational diabetes (a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy in pregnant women without diabetes) Like other types of diabetes, gestational diabetes affects the way cells use glucose. If diabetes is not well controlled during pregnancy, high blood sugar can affect both the baby and the mother during pregnancy, during labor, and after birth. * Expectant mothers can manage gestational diabetes by eating healthy, exercising, and taking medication if necessary. For most women, their glycemic index will quickly return to normal after giving birth. However, if you have ever had gestational diabetes, your risk of developing type 2 diabetes is higher.

Pre-diabetes things to watch out for

Pre-diabetic glycemic index, although higher than the standard index, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes, is still in a healthy state. In prediabetes, you have an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. The good news is that while the odds of developing gestational diabetes and type 2 diabetes are high, it's not inevitable. Eating a balanced diet, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight can help your glycemic index return to normal.

11 Diabetes Symptoms

Symptoms of diabetes may appear when the blood sugar level in the body becomes abnormally high. Symptoms can vary depending on the degree of elevated blood sugar, especially in people with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, who may sometimes experience no symptoms. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes tend to appear quickly and become more severe. Therefore, recognizing early symptoms can help prevent diabetes and its complications.

Signs and symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes:

• thirsty
• frequent urination
• feeling extremely hungry often
• weight loss without warning
• ketone bodies in the urine (ketone bodies are by-products of muscle and fat breakdown, which happen when there isn't enough insulin available)
• fatigue
• irritability
• blurred vision
• slow wound healing
• Frequent infections, such as gum or skin infections and vaginal infections

Gestational diabetes usually has no symptoms. Your medical history and whether you have any risk factors may need to follow your doctor's instructions to determine your chances of developing gestational diabetes, but you will still need testing to be sure.

7 diabetes complications

Complications that can result from long-term excess glucose in the blood include:

• eye disease
• foot problems
• Gum disease and other dental problems
• heart attack and stroke
• kidney disease
• nerve damage
• skin infection

Testing and Treatment

The A1C (or glycated hemoglobin) test measures your average glycemic index over the past 2 to 3 months. Your doctor will draw blood for you or prick your finger to get blood. The higher your glycemic index over the past few months, the higher your A1C index will be. An A1C index of 6.5% or higher indicates diabetes. Different types of diabetes have different treatments:

• Type 1 diabetes: People with type 1 diabetes do not produce insulin, so it must be injected into the body regularly.
• Type 2 diabetes: People with type 2 diabetes can manage or even reverse the condition through diet and exercise. If lifestyle changes aren't enough, your doctor may prescribe medications to help your body use insulin more efficiently. Monitoring the glycemic index is also an important issue in improving type 2 diabetes. In addition, your doctor may also recommend that you schedule regular blood sugar testing, and if your glycemic index is high, your doctor may recommend insulin injections.

The most important thing is to prevent...

While type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, you can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by making the following lifestyle changes:

• maintain normal body weight
• If you are overweight, you can work with a healthcare professional to develop a weight loss plan
• Increase your activity
• Consistently eat a balanced diet and reduce intake of high-sugar or excessively processed foods

Originally Answered: What are the symptoms of diabetes? Learn about causes and treatments

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