Diabetes develops when blood glucose levels are too high. Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are the main forms of the condition, and both can affect overall health. When blood glucose levels remain too high, diabetes can damage the body, and possible effects include nerve damage, vision loss, and heart disease.
Defining Diabetes
Diabetes involves high blood glucose. High blood glucose can damage the body, and it may contribute to nerve damage, heart disease, and vision loss. When blood glucose levels are too high, diabetes develops, and the condition has two main forms: Type 1 and Type 2.
When the body does not make insulin, Type 1 occurs, and glucose levels can grow too high. Type 1 is much less common than Type 2. Type 2 occurs when the body does not produce or use insulin efficiently, and it accounts for 90%–95% of diagnosed diabetes cases. Gestational diabetes occurs only during pregnancy.
The causes differ by type. Type 1 is linked to genetic and environmental factors, and it is not preventable. When Type 2 develops, lifestyle factors may contribute to the condition, and common risk factors include being overweight or obese, an unhealthy diet, and a lack of physical activity.
Controlling Diabetes
Management involves lifestyle changes and, for some people, medication. People with Type 1 must take insulin as prescribed, and they also need to maintain a healthy lifestyle. When a person has Type 2, lifestyle changes may help manage the condition, and daily medication may be needed if those changes are not adequate. Diet changes can support management. Reducing processed food and sugar intake may help support blood glucose management; physical activity is also part of care.
Medication may be needed. When lifestyle changes are not adequate, daily medication may help improve how the body handles insulin; it may reduce blood glucose levels. People with either type need to monitor blood glucose, and they need to report unusual changes to a medical provider.
Affecting the Heart
People with diabetes remain at risk for heart disease. When plaque builds in the arteries that supply blood to the heart, the arteries can narrow, and the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart can decrease. Coronary artery disease is a common form of heart disease linked to diabetes. Plaque can build in the arteries that supply blood to the heart, and plaque contains cholesterol and other substances. When plaque continues to build, the arteries narrow and the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart decreases, and this process can weaken the heart muscle. Symptoms can include:
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- dizziness
- extreme fatigue
People can track blood glucose, blood pressure, and weight, and they can report higher or lower trends to their health care team. When symptoms or trends appear, a health care team may review them, and the person can ask what to monitor and how often heart health may be checked.
Talk to a Specialist
Diabetes develops when blood glucose levels are too high. Type 1 involves a lack of insulin, and Type 2 involves inefficient insulin production or use. When managed, people may use insulin, lifestyle changes, medication, and blood glucose monitoring, depending on the type and care plan. It is also linked with heart disease, and plaque buildup in the arteries can reduce oxygen-rich blood flow to the heart. Talk to a specialist to learn more in your area.
