Let's talk simply about the types of diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus)

We've all heard the word 'diabetes'. Maybe someone in your family, a friend, or even yourself is affected by this condition. But did you know that diabetes is not just one disease, but has several different types? Today, we'll talk about each of these types, their symptoms, and how to manage them in a simple, straightforward way.

Simply put, diabetes is a general name for several diseases that affect the process of converting the food we eat into energy. When we eat a food containing carbohydrates (starches), our body converts it into a type of sugar called glucose and adds it to the blood. Then our pancreas produces a hormone called insulin , which takes that glucose from the blood and sends it to the cells to produce energy. In a person with diabetes, this insulin process does not work properly. As a result, blood sugar levels increase. If this is not controlled, serious health problems can occur over time.

Prediabetes

This is the warning stage before diabetes develops. Here, your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to completely diagnose diabetes.

However, sometimes you may notice darkening of the skin in areas such as the neck, armpits, and groin. Rarely, you may also notice unexplained weight loss or gain, excessive appetite, fatigue, sweating, blurred vision, and slow healing of wounds.

If you change your lifestyle at this point, you can prevent or delay the development of full-blown diabetes.

• Exercising regularly.
• Eating a healthy diet.
• Maintaining proper body weight.
• Stress management.
• Avoid smoking.

If these things are difficult to do or if you are at high risk of developing diabetes, your doctor may prescribe medication.

Type 1 Diabetes

This used to be called 'juvenile diabetes'. But now we know that it can develop at any age. It is an autoimmune condition . Simply put, what happens here is that our body's own immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in our pancreas. Then the body can no longer produce insulin.

This condition cannot be prevented. It is often caused by genetic factors.

Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes

These types of symptoms appear very quickly, within a few weeks.

• Feeling of excessive thirst and hunger.
• Frequent urination.
• Blurred vision.
• Severe fatigue.
• Weight loss without any reason.

Sometimes, the first symptom can be a diabetic coma, which can lead to a more serious condition such as loss of consciousness.

If you or your child has any of these symptoms, go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.

Type 1 diabetes can damage the delicate blood vessels in the eyes (diabetic retinopathy), nerves (diabetic neuropathy), and kidneys (diabetic nephropathy). It also increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Treatment involves administering insulin externally, using insulin pens, pumps, or syringes. In addition , regular blood sugar testing, diet control, and exercise are essential.

Type 2 Diabetes

This is the most common type, affecting about 90% of people with diabetes. It used to be called 'adult-onset diabetes'. But today it is also common among young people and children. Obesity is a major cause.

What happens here is that the body's insulin production decreases, or the body's cells do not respond properly to the insulin that is produced (`Insulin Resistance`). This causes the pancreas to work harder and produce more insulin. But over time, that is not enough and blood sugar levels rise.

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes develop slowly. They may not show any symptoms for years. That's why many people are diagnosed with it when they seek treatment for another condition.

To control this type, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet, and exercising are essential. Some people may also need to take medication or insulin injections. This is all determined by your doctor.

Gestational Diabetes

Some mothers may develop temporary diabetes due to hormonal changes in their bodies during pregnancy. This is called ``gestational diabetes.'' It is usually diagnosed through tests performed in the middle or late stages of pregnancy.

Most of the time, there are no major symptoms. There may be some mild symptoms like increased thirst and frequent urination. The most important thing is that this condition goes away after the baby is born.

The risk is greater for the baby in the womb than for the mother. When the mother's blood sugar level increases, it also passes to the baby through the placenta. This can affect the baby's development. The baby may gain too much weight, have difficulty breathing at birth, and be at increased risk of developing diabetes or obesity in the future. Therefore, it is very important to control diabetes well during pregnancy.

Other rare types of diabetes

In addition to the three main types above, there are several other rare types of diabetes.

Monogenic Diabetes

It is caused by a change in a single gene. It can be inherited. Often, diabetes is diagnosed in childhood or adolescence and does not show symptoms of Type 1 or Type 2, so doctors suspect this.

Secondary Diabetes

This can be caused by another underlying medical condition or a medication you are taking. For example:

• Hormone-related diseases (Cushing's syndrome, Acromegaly)
• Diseases of the pancreas
• Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
• ``Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome'' (PCOS)
• Long-term use of certain steroid medications.

In these cases, diabetes can also be controlled when the underlying condition is treated.

Diabetes, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes, Gestational Diabetes, Insulin, Blood Sugar, Prediabetes, Diabetes Symptoms