How Does Diabetes Affect the Body?
Diabetes is also known as diabetes mellitus or blood sugar in the common language. This is a type of metabolic disorder in which the production of the insulin hormone by the pancreas gets minimal or the produced insulin cannot be used by the body effectively. Glucose comes from the food we take. The hormone insulin helps to transport sugar from the blood into all the cells of the body so that they may store and use it for energy. If sufficient insulin is not produced in the body, then, in that case, glucose stays in the body itself and this condition is called prediabetes.
Is Diabetes a Disease?
No, diabetes is a disorder in which blood sugar levels are abnormally high because the body does not produce enough insulin to meet its needs. As it is a disorder, it harms the nerves and causes problems with sensation. This may damage the blood vessels and may result in heart stroke or attack. This may cause chronic kidney disease and vision loss. This disorder is caused due to the three major nutrients that make up most of the food carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Sugars are one of the three types of carbohydrates along with starch and fibers.
Diabetes Symptoms
Symptoms of diabetes depend on how much blood sugar levels are increased. People who are suffering from prediabetes may not experience symptoms initially.
Symptoms are as follows:
Feeling more thirsty
Feeling more hunger
The frequent sensation of urine
Unexpected weight loss
Fatigue
Feeling irritated
Blurred vision
Injuries are slowly healed
Infections
Ketone group is present in the urine
Sores that do not heal
Feeling tired
Types of Diabetes
There are generally 4 types of diabetes:
Type 1 Diabetes- In this type, a person does not produce any insulin, and insulin is artificially injected via a syringe, pen, or pump. In this type of blood, sugar testing is critical to control as the glucose levels rapidly change. The person with this type of diabetes has to inject insulin multiple times a day. At present, there is no more for this type.
Type 2 Diabetes- This is also called adult-onset diabetes. This is often diagnosed after the age of 45. In this case, people are able to produce insulin but are unable to use it efficiently. This type of insulin can be controlled by doing exercises and taking a proper diet, but not in every condition. They need to take some medication to be cured.
Pre-Diabetes- In this, glucose levels are high to a limited level and it can be diagnosed. This can be cured by proper diet, exercise, and a change in lifestyle.
Gestational Diabetes- This type of diabetes is developed during pregnancy. This also affects the body as the other types do. This type affects both the infant and the mother. In most cases, this type of diabetes gets cured after the birth of the baby.
Causes of Diabetes
Improper Diet- The excess glucose content we intake continuously can cause diabetes.
Genetics- Genes play an important role to control each process in the body and a variation in even one gene can change the metabolism and can increase the risk.
Medication- If a person is taking too many medicines, he is more prone to type 2 diabetes.
Stress- Psychological problems may also lead a person to not take a proper diet.
Weight- The body gets resistant to insulin if a person has more fatty tissues.
Inactivity- Physical activity enhances our body to be fit and maintains good production of hormones in the body.
High Blood Pressure- Having high blood pressure increases the risk of increased type 2 diabetes.
Prevention of Diabetes
A person should take proper diet and regular exercise. It is easier to lose weight on a good diet
Avoiding sugary food, drink, refined grains such as white bread and white rice in the food diet
Medication should be taken if the condition cannot be controlled by diet and physical activities
Should not consume alcohol and stop smoking
If a person is suffering from obesity, then he/she must reduce his/her weight
Should be very careful about high blood pressure
A person should drink a lot of water so that other organs may not get affected.
How to Prepare Notes on Diabetes
Go through Diabetes and Its Symptoms – Types and Causes on Vedantu.
Read the page carefully and then follow a sequential order while making notes.
Highlight all the key points using a colored pen.
Compare whatever you’ve written down with what’s actually on the page.
Write everything down in your own words after understanding each of the concepts.
Make them as organized as you can so that when you are revising, the notes seem freely flowing.
Check the page once to see if any important point has been mistakenly left out.
Does Vedantu have Anything on Diabetes?
Vedantu has relevant study material on Diabetes and its causes. Students who need information about the disease can go to Diabetes and Its Symptoms – Types and Causes and then scan this page properly. Vedantu contains educational matters on most topics of significance so all students can refer to this online tutoring platform so as to study well. The matter is completely free of cost and can be downloaded in the form of a PDF as well. That way, students will be able to access all study material even when there's no internet connection.
FAQs on Diabetes and Its Symptoms Explained
1. What are the most common symptoms of diabetes that a student should know?
The most common symptoms of diabetes arise from high blood sugar levels. Key indicators to watch for include:
Frequent Urination (Polyuria): Needing to go to the toilet more often than usual, especially at night.
Excessive Thirst (Polydipsia): Feeling constantly thirsty, even after drinking liquids.
Increased Hunger (Polyphagia): Feeling very hungry, even though you are eating regularly.
Unexplained Weight Loss: Losing weight without trying, as the body can't use glucose for energy and starts burning fat and muscle instead.
Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired and weak because cells are not getting enough glucose for energy.
Blurred Vision: High blood sugar can affect the lenses in your eyes, causing vision to become blurry.
Slow-healing Sores: Wounds, cuts, and sores take longer to heal, and infections are more frequent.
2. What is the main difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes?
The primary difference lies in the body's insulin mechanism. Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body produces very little or no insulin. It is often diagnosed in children and young adults. In contrast, Type 2 Diabetes is a condition where the body either doesn't produce enough insulin or the body's cells become resistant to the effects of insulin (insulin resistance). This type is more common and is strongly linked to genetics, obesity, and an inactive lifestyle.
3. What is Gestational Diabetes and what are its symptoms?
Gestational Diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy in women who did not have diabetes before. It occurs when the body cannot produce enough insulin to meet the extra needs of pregnancy. While it often shows no noticeable symptoms, some women may experience increased thirst or more frequent urination. It is typically diagnosed through routine screening during pregnancy. If left unmanaged, it can pose health risks to both the mother and the baby.
4. What are the 'three Ps' of diabetes often mentioned in biology?
The 'three Ps' are the classic, hallmark symptoms of diabetes, especially Type 1. They are:
Polyuria: The medical term for excessive or abnormally large production of urine. It's caused by the kidneys filtering out excess glucose from the blood.
Polydipsia: The term for excessive thirst. It is a direct result of the fluid loss from polyuria, leading to dehydration.
Polyphagia: The medical term for excessive hunger or increased appetite. Even though blood sugar is high, the body's cells can't absorb the glucose for energy, triggering hunger signals.
5. What are the primary causes of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes?
The causes are distinct for each type. Type 1 Diabetes is primarily an autoimmune disorder. The exact trigger is unknown, but it is believed that genetic predisposition and environmental factors (like viruses) cause the immune system to destroy the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Type 2 Diabetes is caused by a combination of factors, including strong genetic links and significant lifestyle factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, and an unhealthy diet, which lead to insulin resistance.
6. Why does untreated diabetes cause symptoms like frequent urination and fatigue?
This is due to a process called osmotic diuresis. In diabetes, high levels of glucose build up in the blood (hyperglycemia). The kidneys, which filter blood, reabsorb glucose up to a certain threshold. When blood glucose is too high, the excess glucose is excreted into the urine. This glucose in the urine pulls extra water along with it, leading to frequent urination. The resulting loss of fluids causes dehydration and intense thirst. Fatigue occurs because the body's cells are starved for energy. Without sufficient insulin action, glucose cannot enter the cells to be converted into ATP (energy), leaving the person feeling constantly tired.
7. Can diabetes be permanently cured?
Currently, there is no permanent cure for either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is managed with lifelong insulin therapy. For Type 2 diabetes, while it cannot be cured, it can be put into remission. This means that with significant lifestyle changes—such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and weight loss—a person can achieve normal blood sugar levels without medication. However, remission is not a cure, as the condition can return if lifestyle habits are not maintained.
8. How does insulin normally regulate blood sugar, and what goes wrong in diabetes?
In a healthy individual, after a meal, the pancreas releases insulin. This hormone acts like a key, unlocking cells to allow glucose from the bloodstream to enter and be used for energy. This process lowers blood glucose levels. In Type 1 diabetes, the 'key' (insulin) is missing because the pancreatic cells that make it are destroyed. In Type 2 diabetes, the 'locks' on the cells become rusty and resistant to the key; the insulin is present, but it doesn't work effectively. In both scenarios, glucose is locked out of the cells and remains in the bloodstream, leading to high blood sugar.
9. What are the long-term health complications if diabetes is not properly managed?
Sustained high blood sugar can damage various organs and tissues over time, leading to serious complications. These can be categorised as:
Microvascular (small blood vessels): Damage to small vessels can cause diabetic retinopathy (eye damage, potentially leading to blindness), nephropathy (kidney damage, potentially leading to kidney failure), and neuropathy (nerve damage, causing numbness, tingling, or pain).
Macrovascular (large blood vessels): Damage to large vessels increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral artery disease (poor circulation in the limbs).
10. Are there any unusual or lesser-known symptoms of diabetes?
Yes, beyond the classic '3 Ps', some people may experience less common symptoms that can also indicate underlying diabetes. These include:
Skin problems: This can include frequent fungal or bacterial infections, very dry skin, or a condition called Acanthosis Nigricans, which causes dark, velvety patches of skin, often in body folds and creases.
Tingling or numbness: A persistent feeling of pins and needles, tingling, or numbness in the hands or feet can be an early sign of nerve damage (neuropathy).
Gum disease: People with diabetes are at a higher risk for infections, including gum infections (periodontitis).
