15 Fast Facts About Diabetes

3D medical animation still of Type 1 Diabetes showing the lower amount of insulin production in a diabetic patient. Author; scientific animation. Wikimedia

15 Fast Facts About Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic and endocrine condition that is characterized by high blood sugar levels. This condition is commonly referred to as diabetes mellitus. Diabetes is commonly caused by either insulin resistance by the cells of the body or insulin insufficiency whereby the pancreas is not producing enough insulin.

There are two major types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2, but there are also other types of diabetes like gestational diabetes. Diabetes usually attacks people of various ages with the old mostly suffering from type 2 while young people usually suffer from type 1 diabetes. Gestational diabetes is common in expectant mothers from the gestational age of 20 weeks and above.

Diabetes is a critical condition with a high mortality rate if it is left untreated. People suffering from diabetes prevent with various symptoms that help medical practitioners diagnose the condition. Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors like excessive alcohol intake and obesity are among the risk factors that can lead to diabetes.

If untreated, diabetes has several life-threatening complications ranging from blindness, diabetes foot, and destruction of other vital organs. Approximately 1.5 million people die annually from untreated or poorly managed diabetes. Here are the 15 fast Facts About Diabetes:

1. Diabetes is a Chronic Metabolic & Endocrine Disease

An illustration of Diabetes Type I and II. Author; Jessie. Wikimedia

There are several diseases that human beings suffer from if they don’t live a healthy lifestyle. Various parts of the body can be attacked by diseases with diabetes being among them.

Clinically and medically, diabetes is a chronic metabolic and endocrine disease that is characterized by high blood sugar levels in the body. Altered metabolism and its effects on the endocrine system usually predispose people to this chronic condition.

2. The Condition is Caused by either Insulin Resistance or Insulin Insufficiency

This chronic metabolic condition that we have explained to have been caused by high blood sugar in the body has to be brought up by some factors. Diabetes can be caused by either insulin resistance or insulin insufficiency.

Insulin is a hormone that is produced by islet cells in the pancreas. When there is resistance to the use of insulin, there will be an increase in blood sugar levels.

When there is insulin resistance, the cells cannot respond normally to the uptake of this hormone. With this anomaly, glucose cannot be absorbed into the cells leading to its build-up in the blood resulting in type 2 diabetes.

When the islet cells in the pancreas do not produce enough insulin for the body, this leads to diabetes. Low levels of insulin production mean that the minimally produced insulin will be used up then more glucose will be deposited in the blood. Type 1 diabetes is commonly characterized by insulin insufficiency.

3. There are Three Major Types of Diabetes

Mechanism of normal Blood Sugar (white crystals) absorption (Left) Vs. insulin resistance in Type 2 Diabetes (Right). Author; Manu5. Wikimedia

This chronic disease can be classified into various types but there are three major types of diabetes. The two main types of diabetes are Type 1 and Type 2.

Type 1 diabetes is characterized by the low production of insulin by the pancreas majorly in young people. Type 2 diabetes usually affects older people and is characterized by proper production of insulin, but there is resistance to its use.

The third type of diabetes is gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes usually affects expectant mothers who are at a gestational age of 20 weeks and above.

4. There are Several Risk Factors that can lead to Diabetes

Diabetes can be caused by several factors that have a direct impact on the body of individuals. The major risk factors of diabetes include unhealthy lifestyle, obesity, ethnicity, infections, hormonal conditions, and many more. In type 1 diabetes, family history is a major risk factor whereby if there is someone in your family suffering from it, there are higher chances you can get it.

An unhealthy lifestyle like eating junk/unhealthy food and excessive drinking of alcohol exposes you to a risk of developing diabetes. Some major infections can injure your pancreas directly which can result in diabetes. Being overweight or obese is another factor that can predispose people to diabetes.

Native Americans, Latinos, African-Americans, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Alaska natives are majorly predisposed to diabetes. The other risk factors include age, some female reproductive illnesses like polycystic ovary syndrome, and being pregnant can predispose people to diabetes.

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5. Diabetes Symptoms can Develop Slowly in Type 2 and rapidly in Type 1

Some people might develop diabetes and not know what they are suffering from. They will experience various signs and symptoms according to their age group. Classic symptoms of diabetes include unintentional loss of weight, increased urination (polyuria), increased thirst (polydipsia), and increased hunger (polyphagia).

In type 1 diabetes, these symptoms develop rapidly. However, in type 2, the symptoms might develop slowly or be absent. Other symptoms of diabetes include blurred vision, fatigue, headache, itchy skin, and slow healing of cuts or wounds.

6. Type 1 Diabetes is an Autoimmune Disease

A description of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Author; Manu5. Wikimedia

Type 1 diabetes is distinguished by the loss of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreatic islets, resulting in insulin deficiency. This makes type 1 diabetes further subdivided into immune-mediated and idiopathic.

The majority of type 1 diabetes is immune-mediated, with a T cell-mediated autoimmune attack leading to beta cell and thus insulin loss. Type 1 diabetes accounts for about 10% of diabetes cases in North America and Europe. When symptoms appear, the majority of affected people are otherwise healthy and of a normal weight thus missing out on the condition.

7. Gestational Diabetes Occurs in about 2 to 10% of Pregnancies

A pregnant lady. Author; Cameryn Lester. Wikimedia

Gestational diabetes and Type 2 diabetes are the same in several aspects. They resemble in a way that there is relatively inadequate insulin production by the pancreas and responsiveness.

Gestational diabetes might set in as early as 20 weeks of gestation with pregnant women advised to get tested as early as possible. Research has shown that gestational diabetes can occur in 2 to 10% of all pregnancies. The good thing is that gestational diabetes can improve or elapse after delivery.

8. More than 463 Million People Worldwide Live with Diabetes

The prevalence of diabetes across the world is on high with people in developed countries struggling to manage the condition. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that more than 463 million people across the world suffered from diabetes as of 2019.

8.8%  of the total population living with diabetes is accounted by adults. 90% of all diabetes cases are made up of type 2 diabetes. What worries me more is that the prevalence of diabetes is increasing dramatically over the years and becoming more common in low- and middle-income nations.

9. Diabetes is the 7^th Leading Cause of Death in the World

Type 1 Diabetes. See a full animation of this medical topic. Author; BruceBlaus. Wikimedia

Thousands of people continue living without knowing they are suffering from diabetes. This is one of the major risks that has raised the mortality rate of diabetes across the world.

The WHO revealed that diabetes is the 7^th leading cause of death across the globe. What makes it more vicious is that some cases of diabetes are not properly managed or sometimes people suffering from it ignore the recommended management.

10. Two Life-Threatening Diabetes Emergencies include DKA & HHS

A person in a Diabetic coma. Photo by Unknown Author on Wikimedia

Being the 7^th leading cause of death, diabetes has two life-threatening emergencies. The diabetes emergencies are Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), and Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State (HSS).

DKA is an emergency that presents with nausea, vomiting, the smell of acetone on the breath, abdominal pain, Kussmaul breathing (deep breathing), and decreased levels of consciousness. This condition is usually treated as an emergency with most patients being managed in the Intensive Care Units (ICUs).

Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State is rare but also more dangerous. HSS is more common in type 2 diabetes and is caused by dehydration brought about by high sugars.

11. Type 1 Diabetes is not Preventable

Many people might take diabetes as a simple disease, but this is a dangerous condition that kills if not managed well. Researchers and medics have been trying to find ways of preventing diabetes with the success being minimal.

Type 1 diabetes has proven to be difficult to prevent over the years. Researchers have not found a way through which they can prevent the islet cells from being destroyed and leading to Diabetes. However, with advanced technology, there is the hope of finding a solution.

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12. Daily Monitoring of Blood Sugars is Essential for Known-Diabetic People

Naval Hospital Jacksonville diabetes education nurse Nyve Tinajero checks a patient’s foot in the hospital’s diabetes. Author; US Navy. Wikimedia

The WHO recommends several means of managing and controlling diabetes to reduce the mortality rate. Among the recommended management is routine monitoring of blood sugars for those who suffer from diabetes.

Diabetes is monitored by measuring the blood sugar levels before you eat (fasting blood sugars), and two hours after eating (random blood sugars). The normal range is for fasting blood sugars is 4 to 7 mmol/Li, and a random blood sugar test less than 11 mmol/Li.

13. Diabetes is Controlled using Insulin, Anti-Diabetic Medication & Diet Control

Diabetes is easily managed from home after getting directions from your healthcare provider. The condition is easily managed and controlled by the use of insulin, anti-diabetic medication, diet control, changing an unhealthy lifestyle, and engaging in physical exercises.

Insulin and other anti-diabetic medication are prescribed by health providers and should be taken strictly as directed. People are also advised on healthy lifestyles like quitting on smoking, cigarettes, and other unhealthy behaviors.

Diabetics are always encouraged to be on a strict diet which should contain fewer carbohydrates, more vegetables, and equal distribution of other nutrients, and the meals should be in small portions equally distributed across spaced time in a day. Engaging in physical activities like brisk walking is encouraged to people to prevent obesity in those with type 2 diabetes.

14. The Disease Causes Fatal Complications in Other Parts of the Body

Complications of Diabetes (from LtoR): Retinopathy, Nephropathy, and Neuropathy. Author; Scientific animation. Wikimedia

Diabetes is a dangerous disease that also affects other parts of the body if not managed properly. The complications of Diabetes are usually fatal and can make people lose important parts of their bodies.

This disease can cause blindness in terms of cataracts, as well as affect the other vital organs of the body. It causes kidney failure, and fatal cardiac conditions like heart attacks, it can affect the brain and lead to stroke, it affects the nervous system as well as causes diabetic foot which leads to amputation of the affected limbs.

15. World Diabetes Day is Observed Yearly

Researchers have been doing their best to find the best solution for dealing with diabetes. In return, people are often made aware of diabetes and how fatal this disease can be.

On 14^th November each year, World Diabetes Day is observed. This day is set aside to raise awareness about this life-threatening disease and how it negatively impacts society.

Other than the other major diseases like cancers, diabetes is another condition that people should not ignore. The burden of diabetes is usually heavily felt in families that have been affected. We should try and live healthily to do away with this deadly non-communicable disease.

Read 30 Famous People and Celebrities with Diabetes.