Diabetes is a disease that affects how your body uses glucose, a type of sugar that enters your bloodstream after you eat. Glucose comes from the foods you eat and is turned into energy by your body’s cells. However, if you have diabetes, your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, which is a hormone that helps the glucose get into your cells.
This means that the glucose stays in your bloodstream, which can cause health problems. There are three main types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes. Each type has its symptoms and treatments. Using a diabetic tracking app after knowing your type becomes easy.
So read further to understand you.
Type 1
Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, occurs when the body’s immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. This causes blood sugar levels to rise above normal and can lead to health problems.
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes include frequent urination, thirst and fatigue (tiredness). In some cases, people may no longer be able to feel thirst – a sign that they are becoming dehydrated. The loss of these warning signs makes it easy for people with type 1 diabetes to become dangerously ill because they don’t realize they’re becoming too sick until it’s too late.
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children, but adults can also get it. It’s lifelong: most people with type 1 need daily insulin injections for life to manage their blood sugar levels effectively.
Type 2
Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes, accounting for about 90% of all cases. It usually develops gradually over time and is most often diagnosed in middle age. However, type 2 diabetes can develop at any age.
Type 2 diabetes usually occurs in people who are overweight or obese and have a family history of type 2 or gestational (or pregnancy-related) diabetes. If you have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, you may be able to delay its onset by losing weight and being more physically active. Although there’s currently no cure for this disease, it can be managed with proper diet and exercise habits and medications prescribed by your doctor.
Gestational diabetes (diabetes while pregnant)
You may have heard of gestational diabetes (diabetes while pregnant). To understand why and how this type of diabetes develops, it’s essential to know that your body uses sugar for energy during pregnancy. The placenta releases hormones that allow the fetus to grow. As the baby grows, more glucose is needed by both mother and child.
If you have gestational diabetes, it means your body cannot use insulin properly during pregnancy. The pancreas produces extra insulin to try and keep up with demand from the growing fetus and placenta. But since your pancreas cannot produce enough insulin on its own, you will need to monitor blood sugar levels closely throughout your pregnancy and take medications as prescribed by your doctor to control them effectively. Also, Tandem Diabetes experts suggest, “Always pay attention to your symptoms, actively monitor your glucose levels, and treat according to your healthcare provider’s recommendations.”
It is important to understand that there are different types of diabetes, the symptoms can vary, and the treatment for each type also varies. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with diabetes, they must see their doctor regularly to monitor their condition and manage it effectively.
