Diabetes (diabetes mellitus) is a long-term or chronic disease characterized by blood sugar levels (glucose) that are far above normal. Glucose is very important for our health because it is the main energy source for the brain and cells that form the muscles and tissues in our body.
This disease has two main types, namely type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
What are the Symptoms of Diabetes?
It is very important for us to know the early symptoms of diabetes. Both for high-risk and those who feel healthy and have no history or potential for diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes can develop quickly in a few weeks, even a few days. While many type 2 diabetics do not realize that they have diabetes for years because the symptoms tend to be non-specific. Some of the symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes include:
- Often feel thirsty.
- Frequent urination, especially at night.
- Extreme hunger.
- Weight loss without obvious reasons.
- Reduced muscle mass.
- There are ketones in the urine. Ketones are a by-product of muscle and fat metabolism that occurs when insulin production is not enough.
- Fatigue.
- Blurred vision.
- Long healed wounds.
- Frequent infections, for example in the gums, skin, vagina, or urinary tract.
If you experience these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately. Detection as early as possible allows us to prevent the worse condition of our diabetes.
Effect of Insulin Hormones and Diabetes
All cells in the human body need glucose to work normally. The level of sugar in the blood is usually controlled by the hormone insulin which is produced by the pancreas, which is an organ located behind the stomach.
But the pancreatic organs of diabetics are unable to produce the hormone insulin according to the body's needs. Without insulin, the body's cells cannot absorb and process glucose into energy.
Overview of Type 1 Diabetes
Patients with type 1 diabetes are very dependent on insulin because the patient's immune system will attack and destroy the pancreatic cells that produce insulin. This triggers an increase in glucose levels resulting in damage to body organs. Until now, the cause behind type 1 diabetes is not certain.
Patients with this type of diabetes are generally under 40 years old, usually appearing in adolescence or children. Therefore, type 1 diabetes is also referred to as childhood diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is less common than type 2 diabetes. Of the 10 people with diabetes, it is estimated that only about 1 person has type 1.
In addition to having to receive insulin injections every day, people with type 1 diabetes are also advised to maintain glucose levels in the blood to stay balanced. For example by applying a healthy diet and undergoing a blood test regularly.
Overview of Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a type of diabetes that is more common. About 90 percent of people with diabetes in the world have this type of diabetes.
This type of diabetes is caused by a lack of insulin production in the body or body cells that become less sensitive to insulin. This lack of sensitivity of body cells is known as insulin resistance.
Symptoms in this type of diabetics can usually be controlled with a healthy diet and monitoring glucose levels in the blood. But, stay alert because this disease will continue to develop in the body and eventually you will need treatment.
Type 2 diabetes is often associated with obesity. Indeed, not all people who suffer from obesity will automatically suffer from type 2 diabetes. However, the higher a person's body mass index, the risk of this type of diabetes also increases. Obese diabetes generally attacks the elderly.
Pregnancy Diabetes Risk
Diabetes also often attacks pregnant women. There are some women who have high blood glucose levels during pregnancy, so their bodies cannot produce enough insulin to absorb it. Diabetes, known as gestational diabetes, can occur in about 15 to 18 people among 100 pregnant women.
People with type 1 diabetes who are pregnant will also have a high risk because it can have an impact on the mother and fetus. It is very important for diabetics who are pregnant to maintain a balance of blood sugar levels.
Pregnant women should be more careful monitoring blood sugar levels in the second trimester (weeks 14-26). At that time gestational diabetes generally developed and then disappeared after giving birth. However, the risk of type 2 diabetes in women who have had gestational diabetes is about three times higher than the general population.