Diabetes is one of the most common chronic conditions worldwide, yet it’s often misunderstood. More than a disorder of “high blood sugar,” diabetes affects how the body converts food into energy, influencing nearly every organ system over time. Understanding the different types, warning signs, and prevention strategies is essential to managing or avoiding this disease altogether.
Understanding the Types of Diabetes
There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.
- Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This often follows a viral illness and can take years to fully develop. People with type 1 typically require insulin therapy and close blood sugar monitoring to prevent serious complications like diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a medical emergency.
- Type 2 diabetes results from insulin resistance, where the body’s cells no longer respond properly to insulin. Over time, the pancreas cannot make enough insulin to compensate, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. Early lifestyle changes particularly healthy eating and regular exercise can help delay or even prevent type 2 diabetes.
- Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy when hormones produced by the placenta interfere with insulin’s function. While it often resolves after birth, it increases the risk of type 2 diabetes later in life for both mother and child.
Recognizing the Signs
The most common symptoms of type 1 diabetes are known as the “three P’s”:
- Polydipsia – excessive thirst
- Polyuria – frequent urination
- Polyphagia – extreme hunger
Individuals may also experience unexplained weight loss despite an increased appetite.
Type 2 diabetes, in contrast, often develops slowly and may go unnoticed for years. It is sometimes first detected after complications appear, such as vision changes, kidney problems, nerve pain, or heart disease.
Both types can also present with recurrent infections, such as frequent yeast infections in women.
How Blood Sugar Affects the Body
Chronic high blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, damages the body through a process called glycation, where glucose binds to proteins in tissues and blood vessels. This creates inflammation and contributes to plaque buildup, increasing the risk of heart disease, kidney damage, nerve impairment, and vision loss.
Risk Factors and Prevention
A common myth is that individuals with type 2 diabetes are “to blame” for their condition. In reality, diabetes and obesity are complex metabolic diseases influenced by genetics, biology, environment, and modern lifestyle factors. Education, support, and empathy are far more effective than judgment in helping people manage their health.
Genetics play a strong role, particularly in type 2 diabetes, where hereditary factors are present in roughly 80% of cases. However, lifestyle choices can dramatically reduce risk, even for those with a family history.
Key prevention strategies include:
- Following a plant-based, high-fiber diet low in processed carbohydrates and saturated fats, such as the Mediterranean diet
- Engaging in regular physical activity
- Maintaining a healthy weight even a 5% weight reduction can improve blood glucose control
- Getting adequate sleep and managing stress effectively
- Building strong social connections, which support both mental and physical health
Why Early Detection Matters
Early diagnosis and proactive treatment can significantly reduce the risk of long-term complications. Prompt management helps prevent or delay:
- Microvascular complications – damage to small blood vessels in the eyes and kidneys
- Macrovascular complications – cardiovascular disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease
How Technology is Transforming Diabetes Care
New technology has revolutionized diabetes management. Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) allow users to track blood sugar in real time and understand how diet, exercise, stress, and sleep affect their glucose levels.
Insulin pumps, when paired with CGMs, can form automated insulin delivery (AID) systems, often called “closed-loop” systems that adjust insulin delivery automatically to maintain stable glucose levels. These innovations have become the gold standard in managing type 1 diabetes and insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes.
Click here to read more about diabetes and endocrinology care at UNC Health Pardee, and to learn how to schedule an appointment.
