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Understanding diabetes - a simple overview
Diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as diabetes, is a chronic disease that affects how the body turns food into energy. It is not the result of personal failure, poor lifestyle choices, or a lack of willpower. Instead, diabetes develops due to a mix of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that impact insulin production and blood sugar regulation1.
When we eat, the body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose, a form of sugar that enters the bloodstream. The hormone insulin, produced by the pancreas, helps move this glucose into the body's cells, where it’s used for energy.
In people with diabetes, the body either doesn't make enough insulin
or can't use insulin properly. This leads to high blood glucose levels
(hyperglycaemia), which can damage organs, blood vessels, and nerves
over time2.
The main types of diabetes to be aware of are:
With proper disease control, healthy lifestyle choices, and medical guidance, people with diabetes can manage their condition effectively and lead full, active lives.
Diabetes symptoms can be subtle and easy to ignore, especially in the early stages. Gradual onset is common in type 2 diabetes, and many individuals adapt to feeling fatigued, thirsty, or experiencing blurred vision without realising something is wrong. Common early warning signs include:
Unfortunately, people often normalise these symptoms or attribute them to ageing or stress. This is why routine checkups and blood tests are crucial, because they can reveal impaired glucose tolerance or high blood sugar levels before more serious complications develop.
Regular monitoring by your doctor or another healthcare professional helps catch changes early and supports better long-term outcomes.
Living with diabetes requires developing a supportive daily routine. This helps maintain blood glucose levels within your target range and reduces the risk of complications such as kidney disease, nerve damage, and cardiovascular diseases. While every individual is different, some general habits can help:
It's important not to self-diagnose or self-treat. Collaborating with your doctor and a specialist healthcare team ensures that your diabetes care plan is safe, effective, and suited to your needs.
Remember, emotional health is also key. Managing a chronic condition like diabetes can be stressful, and support from mental health professionals or peer groups can be an important part of diabetes treatment.
Being proactive in your healthcare conversations can lead to better support and understanding. Whether you're newly diagnosed or managing long-term diabetes, it helps to prepare before seeing your doctor:
Doctors may ask about your family history, body weight, blood pressure, and risk of developing complications. Being open and detailed ensures they can tailor your diabetes care appropriately.
After a checkup, the next steps in understanding or managing diabetes often begin with a closer look at your blood sugar levels and overall health. If symptoms suggest the possibility of diabetes, your doctor may order specific evaluations. This does not necessarily mean a diagnosis. These evaluations often include:
These assessments help determine whether there is a risk of developing diabetes, if impaired glucose tolerance is present, or if blood sugar levels are already outside the normal range.
Early testing and steady intervention often helps prevent long-term complications with diabetes6. Importantly, small, manageable lifestyle adjustments, such as improving diet, increasing physical activity, and tracking blood glucose, can also significantly improve outcomes over time without the need for immediate medication7.
It’s important to remember that the process of diagnosis and disease control isn't about immediate, dramatic change; it's about creating a sustainable path forward. Maintaining a healthy weight, monitoring for symptoms like blurred vision, and addressing risk factors such as high blood pressure and family history are part of building this path towards managing your diabetes.
One of the most powerful resources for people living with or at risk of diabetes is the community around them. Whether it's type 1, type 2, gestational diabetes, or prediabetes, you're not alone. Millions of people are on a similar journey to you.
Reading personal stories or talking to others with diabetes can offer comfort, normalise challenges, and provide practical tips on managing blood sugar, dealing with insulin injections, or making sense of changing glucose levels. Research also shows that peer support can significantly improve emotional wellbeing and diabetes outcomes8.
Community connections that are worthwhile researching include:
If you feel comfortable doing so, sharing your own story can be equally meaningful. By describing your experience with diagnosis, treatment, or everyday diabetes care, you may help someone else feel seen, supported, and less isolated.
The diabetes community thrives on empathy and understanding. Whether you're newly diagnosed or years into your journey, your voice matters and could benefit many others who are living with diabetes.
Type 1 is an autoimmune condition, often diagnosed in childhood or early adulthood. Type 2 tends to develop over time, often later in life. Both involve issues with blood sugar and insulin, but they’re managed differently.
Yes. Many people with diabetes lead full, active lives. Learning about the condition and finding support can make a big difference. It’s not about perfection; it’s about finding what works for you.
Not exactly. Type 1 is not caused by diet at all. Type 2 has multiple risk factors, including genetics, age, and lifestyle. It’s more complex than sugar intake alone.
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