Diabetes is where your body struggles to control its levels of insulin. There are two types, and they can both provide barriers to everyday life.
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Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a chronic health problem that affects the body’s ability to produce insulin or use the blood sugar (or blood glucose) effectively.
Blood sugar levels are regulated by a hormone called insulin which is produced by the beta cells of the pancreas. Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose get into the cells where it's needed.
The pancreas plays a vital role in diabetes. If a person becomes diabetic, it means that the pancreas isn’t able to produce enough insulin required for the body or cells aren’t able to make proper use of the insulin produced.
What types of Diabetes are there?
Diabetes is broadly divided into: Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational Diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is a health condition in which your immune system destroys the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. So, they cannot produce any insulin. It usually occurs in children, teenagers and young people but can also occur at any age.
Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which cells become insensitive to insulin and cannot make use of the blood sugar effectively. As a result, blood glucose levels go up. It's milder and more common than type 1, but can lead to serious complications in your eyes, nerves, kidney and heart. In type 2 diabetes, there are two connected problems: your cells respond poorly to insulin, so can’t make use of the blood sugar effectively. And sometimes your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin.
Gestational diabetes is a health condition which occurs in pregnant women. During pregnancy, sometimes the body becomes insulin resistant and so blood sugar levels rise. This type of diabetes usually goes away after birth.
Gestational diabetes is of two classes. Women with A1 class are able to control it with the help of proper diet and regular exercise. While those with A2 class have to take medicines or insulin shots.
There’s also a form of diabetes known as ‘Latent Autoimmune Diabetes of Adulthood’ (or LADA) which is sometimes informally called ‘diabetes 1.5’. This is currently classified as a form of type 1 diabetes, but shares similarities with type 2 - hence the ‘1.5’. Research is currently being undertaken to find out what seems to make it different from both type 1 and 2 diabetes.
Who gets diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes can affect anyone at any time, but type 2 diabetes is usually acquired later in life. You are more likely to get type 2 diabetes if you’re over 40 (or over 25 if you’re south Asian), have a family history of diabetes, or are overweight or obese. Type 1 diabetes is thought to be caused by an autoimmune reaction that destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin, called beta cells. This process can go on for months or years before any symptoms appear. Some people have certain genes that make them more likely to develop type 1 diabetes.
Gestational diabetes happens when your blood sugar gets too high during pregnancy, and your body can’t make enough insulin to regulate it. Like type 2 diabetes, you’re at a higher risk of getting gestational diabetes if you’re overweight or have a family history of diabetes.
How common is diabetes?
A 2016 study suggested that 9% of men and 7.9% of women worldwide could be diagnosed as having diabetes: a number that has risen by 28.5% since 1980. So it’s common, and it’s on the rise. This is generally thought to be because the world’s population is getting older and heavier.
Type 2 diabetes is more common than type 1, with an estimated 90% of diabetes sufferers having type 2, but both are for life. But where type 1 is unavoidable, it’s possible to minimise the risk of getting type 2 diabetes by living a healthy lifestyle. This type is the main reason for diabetes becoming more common.
In the case of gestational diabetes, it’s estimated that 2%-10% of yearly pregnancies are affected by it.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Diabetes
What causes diabetes?
The cause of type 1 diabetes is often genetic. If any of your parents or siblings have type 1 diabetes, you might get it as well.
Besides this, environmental factors, like viruses or other autoimmune disorders like Vitiligo or Graves’ disease may also cause it.
You might get type 2 diabetes due to genetics, lifestyle disorders or certain health conditions. If you are obese or overweight and lead a lifestyle with a lot of stress and no physical activity or exercise, you might develop type 2 diabetes mellitus. High blood pressure, low levels of “good cholesterol” high-density lipoprotein (HDL), high levels of triglycerides in the blood, or a family history of diabetes might also increase your chances of getting diabetes.
Gestational diabetes is another factor. If you had gestational diabetes during your pregnancy, you are at a higher risk of having type 2 diabetes.
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
The symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes include extreme thirst, excessive hunger, sudden weight loss, frequent urination, tiredness, frequent infections of skin, gums, vaginal or urinary tract, slow-healing sores and blurry vision.
Many people, however, can have type 2 diabetes without realising. This is because the symptoms can be mild, and don’t necessarily make you feel unwell.
Can diabetes lead to other problems?
If left untreated and uncontrolled, diabetes can lead to a range of problems. These problems can be caused gradually, so it’s important to get an early diagnosis where possible, and keep good control over your blood sugar levels.
Complications of untreated diabetes can include: cardiovascular disease, nerve, kidney and eye damage, skin conditions, Alzheimers and depression.
Diabetes
What medications are there for diabetes?
There are a range of different types of diabetes treatments which work to regulate your blood sugar levels.
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors block the break-down of starches in your intestine and slow the breakdown of some sugars. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors should be taken with food.
Biguanides lower your blood sugar levels by decreasing the amount of glucose produced by the liver and makes muscle tissue more sensitive to insulin so glucose can be absorbed.
Metformin, a common diabetes treatment, is a type of biguanide which is usually taken twice a day.
Bile acid sequestrants lower both your cholesterol and blood sugar.
Dopamine-2 agonists increase the activity of your dopamine receptors, which increases your sensitivity to insulin.
DPP-4 inhibitors prevent the breakdown of GLP-1, a naturally occurring substance in your body that reduces your blood sugar levels - but is usually broken down very quickly.
Meglitinides are usually taken before each of your three meals, and work by stimulating your beta cells to release insulin.
SGLT2 Inhibitors increase glucose levels in your urine by blocking glucose reabsorption in the kidney.
Sulfonylureas stimulate the beta cells in your pancreas to produce more insulin, and they’re usually taken twice a day before meals.
TZDs help insulin work better in your muscle fat and reduce glucose production in the liver.
Sometimes you might need to take a combination of some of these treatments, and other times, for instance if you have type 2 diabetes, you might be able to regulate your condition just with a change in diet. These treatments can often be more or less suitable for different people depending on their health needs and condition. Our clinician will be able to advise you of which type of treatment might be best for you once you’ve talked to us about your health.
Is there a 'best' treatment for diabetes?
The ‘best’ treatment for diabetes depends on which type of diabetes you have. The most commonly used treatment for type 1 diabetes is usually the use of an insulin pump or injector, frequent checks of blood sugar, and diet monitoring.
Whereas the best treatment for type 2 diabetes is generally leading a better lifestyle - so more exercise and less sugary foods - as well as using medications or insulin.
If you’re unsure of which treatment can be best for you, talk to us about your health and our clinical team can tell you what the best options are.
Does diabetes always need treatment?
No, diabetes doesn’t always need treatment. Some people with type 2 diabetes are able to keep their blood sugar levels under control with a good diet and regular exercise. But this will depend on the severity of your condition; many diabetics still require medications, insulin shots, or a combination of both.
Consulting our clinician and getting advice for your diabetes problem is recommended. They will be able to look at your general health and suggest whether you need diabetes treatment, and which one could be right for you
Diabetes
FAQ: Diabetes
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
How is diabetes diagnosed?
Answer:
If you suspect that you have diabetes, you should make an appointment with a clinician.
In order for them to diagnose type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you will often have a test to check the amount of glucose in your blood. This will often take between 1-2 days for the results to come back. It may be that you’re diagnosed with pre-diabetes. This means that your blood glucose levels are too high, but not so high as to give a diabetes diagnosis. This means that you’re at risk of developing diabetes, and so you should take action straight away to prevent it.
What is diabetes insipidus?
Answer:
Diabetes insipidus is a rare health condition in which there is an imbalance in the body’s fluid levels because your kidneys aren’t able to conserve water. This imbalance leads to excessive thirst even if you have a good amount of fluids. It also produces an abnormal amount of urine which is both odourless and colourless.
What’s the difference between diabetes insipidus and mellitus?
Answer:
Diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus are in no way related. Interestingly, both conditions have similar symptoms like excessive thirst and frequent urination, but are totally different.
Diabetes mellitus, which occurs as type 1 or type 2 diabetes, causes blood sugar levels to rise beyond the normal diabetes range. This happens because the body isn’t able to produce insulin or isn’t able to circulate the glucose in blood effectively to nearby cells.
Diabetes insipidus occurs due to a problem in the tubules of your kidneys. Your kidneys aren’t able to properly balance the fluids in the body which leads to excessive levels of thirst and urination. Even if you get diabetes insipidus, your blood glucose levels would remain normal.
Are there tests for diabetes?
Answer:
The most accurate test for diabetes is a blood test. There are different types of blood test, but they all involve measuring the levels of your blood sugar and have prompt results. Some tests will require you to fast beforehand.
In order to test gestational diabetes, you will probably have to take a glucose tolerance test. This involves being tested once, then having to drink a sugary drink and being tested again to see how your body has processed it.
Urine tests can be used to test the levels of sugar in your urine, but they cannot be used as the sole basis for a diabetes diagnosis. There are also home tests which can measure your blood glucose levels at the time of your test, but, again, cannot be used to definitively diagnose if you have diabetes.
Can you get side effects from diabetes treatment?
Answer:
Most treatments come with the unfortunate possibility of side effects, and diabetes treatments are no different. Each treatment will come with its own side effect likelihood, and so if you’re looking for specific information on which treatments can give certain side effects, please look at our product pages.
Does diabetes treatment always work?
Answer:
Even with treatment, diabetes never ‘goes away’. But, with treatment, weight loss, and the correct diet, it’s possible for your condition to go into remission if you have type 2 diabetes. Diabetes treatment is mostly used to help to make the symptoms of diabetes easier to live with, and to help to prevent future complications from happening.
Also, even if you use your prescribed medications exactly as you’ve been told to by your clinician, your diabetes needs will probably continue to change over time.
Untreated diabetes will often lead to more serious problems. So it’s essential that if you have diabetes, you continue to use your treatment as instructed, as well as making the suggested lifestyle changes. This will give you the best chance of living a long and healthy life with diabetes.
Why should I buy diabetes treatment online with Treated?
Answer:
We understand that keeping your diabetes under control can be tough. At Treated, we can get the treatments you need delivered to you. We’ll also keep in touch. So if you feel like your needs are changing, or could do with some advice, we can help keep you on track or point you in the right direction.
If you like, we can also remind you when your next prescription is due, so you’ve got one less thing to worry about.
Worldwide trends in diabetes since 1980: a pooled analysis of 751 population-based studies with 4·4 million participants. The Lancet, 387(10027), pp.1513–1530. (2016).
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
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