How To Manage Diabetes: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Types

What is Diabetes?

By 2030, 643 million people are expected to be affected by diabetes. Among the people affected with diabetes, almost 90% are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. 

Genetics, stress, and lifestyle are the top causes of diabetes in adults worldwide. But what is it? Diabetes occurs when the body stops producing adequate levels of the hormone insulin. Diabetes can also occur if your body cannot effectively manage the insulin it produces. 

Insulin is responsible for moving sugar through the blood and storing it in cells for use. However, a lack of regulation in blood sugar can lead to damage to the kidneys, nerves, eyes, and other organs.

Types of Diabetes

Prediabetes: The blood sugar levels in your body are exceptionally high but not high enough to be diagnosed as Type 2 diabetes. If this goes untreated, you could develop Type 2 diabetes as time goes on. This is called prediabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes: The body’s immune system focuses on the pancreas and destroys healthy cells that produce insulin. This is Type 1 diabetes. 

Type 2 Diabetes: Approximately 90-95% of people affected by diabetes have Type 2 diabetes. With this type, your body becomes resistant to the insulin produced by the body, causing sugar to build up in your bloodstream, resulting in damage to various organs if not monitored and treated.

Type 1.5 Diabetes: LADA, or Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults, is another term for Type 1.5 diabetes. It cannot be treated by diet or lifestyle changes. LADA sets in over time—just like Type 2 diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes: During pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones that block insulin, leading to higher blood sugar levels in pregnant women. This condition is known as Gestational diabetes.

Diabetes Risk Factors

There are certain health risk factors that can increase your chances of contracting diabetes. Let’s take a look at the risk factors for diabetes mellitus.

Risk factors for Type 1 Diabetes

• You are likely to contract Type 1 diabetes if:
• You are a child/teenager.
• You have at least one parent or sibling with this condition.
• You carry genetic markers for the disease.

Risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes

Your risk for Type 2 diabetes can go up if:

• You are overweight
• You have at least one parent or sibling with this condition.
• You aren’t physically active.
• You are 45 or older.
• You have previously had gestational diabetes.
• You have high blood pressure, triglycerides, or cholesterol.

Risk factors for Type 1.5 Diabetes

Type 1.5 diabetes is commonly found in adults over 30 years of age. People with this condition are often misdiagnosed as having Type 2 diabetes. Medication and lifestyle changes have no effect on this condition. 

Risk factors for Gestational Diabetes

The risk of getting gestational diabetes goes up if:

• You are overweight
• You are over the age of 25
• You have given birth to a baby weighing more than 4 kg.
• Type 2 diabetes is present in your family history.
• You have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Symptoms of Diabetes

Diabetes can present itself through a number of noticeable symptoms. Doctors can use these symptoms to diagnose diabetes early on. This can help with prevention and treatment of the disease. Let’s take a look at some of the more presentable symptoms of the illness.

General Symptoms

General symptoms are common across Type 1, Type 2, and Type 1.5 diabetes. In the case of Type 1, the symptoms come on faster than with the other types. With Type 2, slow-healing sores and tingling nerves are more common.

If Type 1 diabetes goes untreated, it can develop into a condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis. This is when diabetes results in a dangerous level of ketones being present in your body.

Other General symptoms of diabetes include:

• Increase in hunger
• Slow-healing sores
• Increase in thirst
• Loss of weight
• Blurry vision
• Frequent urination
• Extreme Fatigue

Symptoms in Men

Men with diabetes can present with additional symptoms like:

• Erectile dysfunction
• Lower sex drives
• Poor muscle strength

Symptoms in Women

Women with diabetes can present with additional symptoms like:

• Dry and itchy skin
• Vaginal dryness
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Yeast infections

Treatment of Diabetes

Treatments can depend on the type of diabetes that you have. Some treatments can be taken orally, while others are taken by injection. In addition to medications, diagnosed diabetics are also encouraged to make changes to their diet and recommended exercise to keep blood sugar levels down.

Medical Treatments

Type 1 and Type 1.5 Diabetes Treatments

Insulin is the key necessity for treating both Type 1 and Type 1.5 diabetes. Insulin is released into the body to replace the hormone produced by the body. There are different types that vary in terms of how fast they act and how long they last:

• Rapid-acting insulin
• Short-acting insulin
• Intermediate-acting insulin
• Long-acting insulin
• Ultra-long-acting insulin
• Premixed insulin

Type 2 Diabetes Medical Treatments

Diet and exercise form a large part of treating Type 2 diabetes. However, if these lifestyle changes prove to be insufficient, your doctor may prescribe additional medications. Here are some effective medication examples that can be used to treat Type 2 diabetes.

Biguanides: They reduce the glucose quantity that your liver makes

Examples: metformin (Glucophage, Riomet)

DPP-4 inhibitors: They regulate and improve blood sugar levels while also ensuring that they don’t drop too low

Examples: linagliptin (Tradjenta), alogliptin (Nesina), saxagliptin (Onglyza), and sitagliptin (Januvia)

SGLT2 inhibitors: they release large amounts of glucose into the urine

Examples: canagliflozin (Invokana), empagliflozin (Jardiance), and dapagliflozin (Forxiga)

Sulfonylureas: They stimulate the pancreas in order to release more amounts of insulin

Examples: glyburide (Glynase), glipizide (Glucotrol), and glimepiride (Amaryl)

Gestational Diabetes

If you get diagnosed with gestational diabetes, you need to monitor your blood sugar levels all throughout the day. If your blood sugar levels are high, dietary changes and exercise are usually recommended.

Scientific research has found that in 15-30% of women with gestational diabetes, insulin will need to be injected to regulate blood sugar levels. The developing baby will not be harmed by the use of insulin treatments.

Diet

If you are wondering how to manage diabetes, you should keep in mind that diet plays a vital role in your daily routine. A balanced diet is an essential cornerstone for effective and sustainable management of blood sugar.

Types 1 and 1.5 diabetes

Blood sugar rises and falls depending on the food that you eat. Foods that are starchy or sugary can make your blood sugar rise rapidly. Meanwhile, protein and fat can cause slower increases.

Your doctor may recommend that you reduce your carb intake in order to maintain your blood sugar levels. Counting cards is essential to a balanced diet for diabetics having Type 1 and Type 1.5 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes

The right diet can help you lose excessive weight and help you maintain your blood sugar levels. Counting carbs is just as important for Type 2 diabetes. Consult a dietician to help you determine how many grams of carbohydrates you can consume with each meal that you have.

You can keep steady blood sugar levels by eating small meals all throughout the day. Keep your focus on foods like:

• Vegetables
• Fruits like avocado, blueberries, strawberry, blackberries, etc
• Lean protein such as fish or poultry
• Healthy fats like nuts and olives
• Whole grains

Gestational diabetes

When pregnant, it is important to maintain a well-balanced diet. Those 9 months are crucial, so make the right food choices to avoid the need for diabetic medications.

Keep a close eye on your portion sizes and limit the amount of salty and sugary foods that you consume. Consulting with a doctor or dietician can be helpful in determining a diet that is best for you and your baby.

Exercise

Exercise is another important pillar for managing your diabetes. This holds true for all types. Being active can help your cells react better to insulin and lower your blood sugar. On top of that, regular exercise can also help you:

• Boost your mood
• Get better sleep
• Reach and maintain a healthy weight
• Reduce the risk of complications from diabetes
• Improve your memory

For people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, about 20-30 minutes of daily exercise is recommended. There are no additional or modified guidelines for gestational diabetes. However, if you are pregnant, take it slow and keep your activity levels gradual—it is important to avoid overdoing it.

Exercises that you can try out include:

• Swimming
• Walking
• Dancing
• Jogging
• Cycling

Have a talk with your doctor to figure out what exercises are best for you. Make sure to monitor blood sugar levels before and after your workout and stay hydrated. You can also consider getting a personal trainer who can help you figure out a diabetes-friendly workout plan.

Prevention

Type 1 and Type 1.5 diabetes can't be prevented. They are triggered by an issue within your immune system. Cases of Type 2 diabetes due to genetics or age are also out of your control.

However, managing the risk factors associated with diabetes can be helpful. Most strategies for preventing diabetes require proper diet and fitness initiatives.

If you are someone who has been diagnosed with prediabetes, here are a few ways you can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes. 

• Take part in aerobic exercises like cycling or walking for at least 150 minutes per week
• Think about adding more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to your diet
• Eat smaller amounts of food
• Cut out refined carbs, saturated fats and trans fats from your diet
• If you are overweight or obese, try and cut your weight by 5-7%

Conclusion

Diabetes doesn’t have to feel like a burden. With the right care and adjustments to your diet and exercise, you can manage your condition and live a long and healthy life. 

If you are diagnosed with prediabetes, you should take immediate care to improve your health in order to prevent/delay Type 2 diabetes. 

With people adopting more sedentary lifestyles, the number of people affected by diabetes is going to increase drastically by 2030. Therefore, if you are worried about a diabetes diagnosis, you should opt for a healthier lifestyle at the earliest.

Take a dedicated consultation with doctors, dieticians and physical trainers to develop a well-rounded strategy that can help you manage your diabetes.