What is Diabetes and How Do I Know if I Have It?

Diabetes Mellitus affects roughly 6% of the U.S. population, and we all know people or family members who are diabetic.  My mother was diagnosed with Diabetes about 6 or 7 years ago.  When I was pregnant with James, I lived the life of a diabetic that required insulin and a complete dietary change.  Fortunately for me gestational diabetes is a temporary disease.  It’s also a wake up call.  I now live in the “pre-diabetes” category and rely heavily on the American Diabetes Association for diabetes help to ensure I never cross over to full blown diabetes again.  The understanding, and hence management, of diabetes living has changed significantly over the years, but remains focused on blood sugar control and prevention of complications such as heart, kidney and eye disease.

There are two categories or ‘types’ of diabetes, and the old names end up being somewhat confusing:  Types 1 and 2, juvenile versus adult onset, insulin dependent versus non-insulin dependent.  The most important division for patients is whether insulin shots or pills can control the blood sugar—pills suffice in about 90% of diabetics.  For those requiring insulin, the pancreas no longer produces sufficient insulin.  For others, there is ‘insulin resistance’, and the pills allow the body to use the insulin being produced more efficiently.  There is also pregnancy related, or gestational diabetes.  It resolves with the end of the pregnancy, but increases the risk of later developing non-insulin dependent diabetes.

For insulin dependent or Type 1 diabetes, the understanding of the causes has changed dramatically.  They now know that a large subset of these diabetics have an immune-mediated condition, much like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, where the immune system attacks the insulin producing cells of the pancreas, stopping insulin production.  Family history and genetics play a large role, so that if there is diabetes in your family, your risk is higher.

Non-insulin dependent diabetes is associated with obesity, sedentary life-style, high blood lipid (fat) levels, high blood pressure, and family history.  Often glucose control can be achieved with weight loss, diet and exercise.  Others will require medication, and the one thing that is clear for both insulin and non-insulin dependent diabetics, good glucose control will prevent or delay any complications.

Symptoms of the development of diabetes include excessive thirst, increased urination, unexplained weight loss despite an often increased appetite, fatigue, blurred vision.  These are more pronounced in insulin dependent cases, but are found in the adult onset type of diabetes as well.

Simple blood sugar testing can detect diabetes, and are routinely done in primary care offices.  Screening recommendations are as follows:  for people over 45 years of age who are not symptomatic, every 3 years.  For symptomatic people, immediate testing.  For those at risk (overweight, family history, high blood lipid levels, etc), screening should be done yearly unless symptoms occur.  If you know someone who has recently been diagnosed with diabetes there are a ton of diabetes articles on the web.

Don’t let diabetes go undetected and untreated!

Disclosure: I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV.  The information shared in this post was given to me by a physician.  If you believe you have diabetes please consult with your personal physician.