Did you know diabetes is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, affecting 536 million people. This number is expected to rise to 643 million by 2030, as per the CDC report. 

In today’s time, diabetes has become such a disease that is affecting every age group, every gender, and every country. This is due to lifestyle, eating habits, sleeping habits, work-life balance, etc. 

Perhaps you must have seen one of your relatives or friends taking insulin or using a sugar-checking machine. But do you know diabetes is not just a “sugar problem” but a chronic metabolic disorder that can affect the entire system? Yes, you read it right, it can affect the whole system and overall health habits that are inculcated in life.

The main aim of my writing this blog is to educate you all about diabetes in simple and clear language. Being a medical student now, I do understand how diabetes can complicate an individual’s life. Everyone should have a basic knowledge to prevent diabetes, or if you or someone close to you is diabetic, then you can manage it properly. 

Starting this blog with a straightforward question:

What is diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which glucose (sugar) levels in your blood become higher than normal. We have two types of diabetes mellitus 

When your body is not producing enough insulin, that is type 1 diabetes. When the body is making enough insulin but cannot use it properly, that is type 2 diabetes. 

Now, what is insulin?

Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that transports blood glucose to the cells where it is used as energy. When insulin does not work or is insufficient, the glucose remains in the blood, causing diabetes 

Why is diabetes a global concern?

According to the WHO, 500+ million people are affected by diabetes worldwide, and this number is increasing every year. 

Diabetes can cause severe complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, vision loss, and foot amputation 

Diabetes can lead to a financial burden on the family. Medications, regular checkups, and hospital bills are quite expensive, especially in developing countries 

Diabetes can affect the young population. One of the main causes that is affecting the young population is eating habits. We tend to eat when we are hungry, we eat fast food, fried food. We should have a proper diet plan for eating on time, eating balanced meals, and  eating healthy food, which is all required to avoid diabetes. And as said, “Prevention is better than cure”, my advice to young people is to start taking care of their eating habits. 

For all these reasons, diabetes is also being called a “silent pandemic.”

What is the purpose of this blog?

In this blog, I will cover all important aspects of diabetes, such as – 

1. Different types of diabetes and their difference 
2. Symptoms and early warning signs 
3. How is the diagnosis made?
4. How can you manage or prevent it? 
5. Myths vs Facts – which people often misunderstand 

My effort is to make “big medical technical terms” simple and understandable to you so that you can take your health decisions confidently.

Awareness is the first step toward wellness. So let’s start step by step 

1. Different types of diabetes and their difference
2. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune means the body’s immune system mistakenly destroys the insulin-producing cells of its own pancreas. This is why the body stops producing insulin. This condition is mostly diagnosed in children and young adults. 

There is a need for insulin for the whole life through daily injections or an insulin pump. There is no permanent cure for type 1 diabetes yet. 

Symptoms develop very fast, like extreme thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, and fatigue. 

This type of diabetes is not lifestyle-related – it is caused by genetics and a fault in the immune system. 

2. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form worldwide, more than 90% of cases. In this, the body produces insulin, but either it is insufficient or cells do not properly respond to insulin – this condition is called “insulin resistance”.

Mostly it occurs in adults, but nowadays it is also occurring young age due to lifestyle changes. 

It has a strong link with obesity, lack of physical activity, and unhealthy diet. 

In early stages, it can be controlled or reversed by diet, weight loss, and exercise. 

If it becomes severe, then medication and insulin may also be required. 

Prevention tips: Healthy eating habits 

                          Regular physical activity 

                          Weight management 

                          Annual blood sugar testing (especially if family history is present)

3. Gestational diabetes occurs only at the time of pregnancy. In this, hormones of the placenta block the action the insulin, thereby reducing blood sugar levels. 

Usually, the diagnosis is made in the 2nd or 3rd trimester. It usually goes away after delivery, but it increases the risks for both mother and baby. 

There is a risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future for the mother. A special meal plan, exercise, and sometimes insulin are needed. 

High birth weight, premature delivery, and hypoglycemia at birth are some of the risk factors associated with the baby.

4. Other types of diabetes are rare;

MODY (Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young),

LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults), and secondary diabetes. 

I will make a new blog on these rare types later. 

2) Symptoms and early warning signs

My question to you all is, “Does diabetes happen suddenly”?

The answer is NO. Diabetes develops slowly in the body, and some of the initial symptoms are such that people often ignore them. By the time the diagnosis is made, the damage has already started. 

That is why today we will talk about common symptoms of diabetes and some early warning signs – if you pay attention to them on time, you can control diabetes or even delay it. 

Often, medical students use mnemonics to remember the symptoms. Here is what most of them use is 3P’s

                                   P – polyuria

                                   P – polydipsia

                                   P – polyphagia

Let’s understand each of them:

1. Polyuria 

Polyuria, in simple terms, means frequent or increased urination. When sugar increases in the blood, the kidneys work harder to remove it from the body, which leads to frequent urination. 

2. Polydipsia 

Polydipsia, in simple terms, means frequent or increased thirst. Frequent urination causes fluid loss from the body, and you feel thirsty repeatedly. 

3. Polyphagia

Polyphagia, in simple terms, means increased hunger. In diabetes, glucose does not reach the body cells, which do not provide energy. You feel like eating more and more often, but even then, your weight may decrease instead of increasing. 

Sudden loss of weight (unexplained weight loss) – if you have lost weight without diet or exercise, then this is an alarming sign, especially if you are a type 1 diabetes patient. The body starts breaking down its fat and muscles for energy. 

Fatigue and weakness – when there is high blood sugar, the energy does not reach the cells, so the patient feels constant fatigue, lethargy, and lack of motivation. 

Slow-healing wounds – if a small cut, scratch, or wound takes a long time to heal, or the infection occurs repeatedly, then diabetes can occur. High sugar levels weaken the immune system.

Blurred vision – when sugar levels increase, the lenses of the eye swell, which can cause blurred vision. 

Swelling or tingling sensation in hands and feet – this is mostly seen in type 2 diabetes. Long-term uncontrolled diabetes damages nerves, which causes numbness, burning sensations, or a tingling feeling. 

Some extra symptoms which are often ignored:

Skin darkening (in neck and armpits)

Frequent infections (fungal, UTIs, and skin infections)

Mood swings, irritability 

Gum disease, loose teeth

Sexual dysfunction (especially in males)

Remember one thing:

Diabetes is a “silent killer,” but its “signs are loud”. We just need to understand and see them. Many people in India get diagnosed only when they have already had a heart attack, kidney failure, or eye disease. 

3) How is diagnosis made?

• There are different lab tests available to diagnose the blood sugar level. Here I will list some of them.

1. Fasting blood sugar test:- 

For this test, you have to fast for  8 – 10 hours. 

Normal: <100 mg/dL

Prediabetes: 100 – 125 mg/dL

Diabetes: >126 mg/dL 

2. Postprandial blood sugar test:-

This test is done 2 hours after eating 

Normal: < 140 mg/dL

Prediabetes: 140 – 199 mg/dL

Diabetes: > 200 mg/dL 

3. HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin):-

This tells the average blood sugar level for 3 months 

Normal: < 5.7% 

Prediabetes: 5.7 – 6.4% 

Diabetes: > 6.5%

4. Random blood sugar:-

Any blood sample is taken, if it is greater than or equal to 200 mg/dL and there are symptoms, diabetes is confirmed. 

5. Oral glucose tolerance test 

This is mainly used to detect “gestational diabetes” in pregnancy. 

#Important Note:

Diagnosis is never confirmed by a single test. Usually, confirmation is taken from 2 different test results. 

4) How to manage or prevent diabetes? 

 Whether you have prediabetes or have already been diagnosed with diabetes, or you want to take precautions, both control and prevention are possible. 

Let’s break it down:

1. Healthy eating habits:

1. Avoid refined sugar and processed carbs (like white bread, sugary drinks, sweets)
2. Eat complex carbs, fiber-rich food (whole grains, oats, dal, lentils, sabzi)
3. Include high-protein foods like eggs, sprouts, and paneer 
4. Eat fruits, but in limited quantities, high-sugar fruits like mango and banana. 
5. Keep meal timings regular – avoid overeating. 

# Pro-tip: use the “Plate method”- Half plate veggies, quarter carbs, quarter protein.

B)Regular physical activity:

Exercise increases insulin sensitivity, reduces sugar levels.

Minimum 30 mins brisk walk- or any physical activity – 5 days/week 

Yoga, swimming, cycling, and dancing are also great ways to boost physical health. 

To avoid sitting continuously, do a little movement every 1-2 hours.

C)Weight management:

Obesity is the biggest risk factor for Type 2 diabetes 

If you reduce even a little weight (5-10%), it has a very good effect on blood sugar. 

D)Medication or insulin therapy (if needed):

Type 1 diabetes patients require lifelong insulin therapy.

Type 2 diabetes patients may receive oral medications such as metformin 

Sometimes type 2 diabetes also requires insulin, especially when sugar is not under control.

E) Stress management:

Stress increases cortisol hormone, which also elevates blood sugar levels. 

Meditation, breathing exercises, hobbies, good sleep routine are helpful. 

Social support is also very important – share your feelings with family and friends. 

F)Regular checkups and monitoring 

Keep monitoring blood sugar with a glucometer at home. 

Get HbA1c checked every 3 to 6 months. 

Eye checkup, kidney function, foot care, BP, and cholesterol should also be monitored. 

Diabetes diagnosis can be shocking, disturbing, but remember it is not the end. Take it positively and think of it as a new beginning. 

Knowledge is power. Get tested today, adopt a healthy lifestyle, and ensure a better future for yourself and your family!

5) Myths vs Facts – which people often misunderstand 

Diabetes is like a hypothesis. Everyone has some kind of hypothesis, but not every hypothesis is correct. A lot of myths circulate that confuse people. Today as a medical student, I will try to clear some myths vs facts that will help you to take correct and informed decisions. 

Myth 1: Diabetes happens only to those who eat too much meat. 

Fact: Eating too much sugar does not directly cause diabetes, but as mentioned earlier, unhealthy lifestyle, obesity, and genetics together increase the risk. Refined carbs and sugary food can increase insulin resistance, but there is not just one cause of diabetes. 

Myth 2: Diabetes is a lifestyle problem, so there is no need for medicines. 

Fact: Lifestyle changes are important, but many people need medicines. Control through diet and exercise alone is not effective for everyone. 

Myth 3: Diabetes means that I cannot live a normal life. 

Fact: With the right care and control, diabetics can live a normal life. 

Myth 4: Type 2 diabetes can be permanently cured

Fact: Type 2 diabetes can be reversed with diet, exercise, and weight loss – but the claim of “permanent cure” is misleading. If you give up the routine, the sugar levels can again increase 

Myth 5: If I am feeling fine, there is no need to check my sugar. 

Fact: The symptoms of diabetes are initially mild or invisible. Sometimes the diagnosis happens when complications start. That is why if you have risk factors like family history, obesity, sedentary lifestyle then regular testing is a must. 

Wrapping this blog now – Sweet Life Without Sweet Lies!

People get scared on hearing the name of diabetes, but the truth is life does not end, only lifestyle bends. 

See you in the next blog!

Till then, be safe, take care of your health. Be sugar-smart, not sugar-scarred.