According to a report by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), around 537 million adults worldwide are afflicted with diabetes mellitus, more commonly known as diabetes. Diabetes is a metabolic disease in which a person’s pancreas is not producing enough insulin—a hormone responsible for regulating blood glucose—to keep their blood sugar at healthy levels. The Singapore Health Services (SingHealth) estimated that around 400,000 Singaporeans have diabetes, and the Lion City actually has one of the highest rates of gestational diabetes in the world.
These figures only prove how prevalent diabetes is as a disease and how many human lives it affects. Despite this, too few are well-informed about the nuances of this condition. In light of that conclusion, here are some facts that you should know about diabetes today:
1) There are Three Major Types of Diabetes
If someone is diagnosed with diabetes, it is highly likely that the kind of diabetes they have falls under type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes. These three types constitute almost all diabetes cases, with type 2 being the most common at around 90 percent.
- Type 1 diabetes is characterized by extremely high blood sugar levels caused by the immune system attacking the cells in the pancreas that are supposed to be producing insulin.
- Type 2 diabetes pertains to when the insulin that the pancreas produces is ineffective at regulating the person’s blood sugar, or if the pancreas simply isn’t producing enough insulin to do so.
- Gestational diabetes develops among women during their pregnancy, leading to high blood sugar levels that can cause complications for both the mother and the baby if left untreated.
There are lesser-known types of diabetes as well, which constitute only 2 percent of people with the condition. They include maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY), which is caused by a gene mutation and runs through families; neonatal diabetes, which occurs in infants under six months old; and Type 3c diabetes, which happens when some other disease causes damage to the pancreas and hampers its ability to produce insulin.
2) Excessive Sugar Consumption Isn’t the Main Cause of Diabetes
A common myth people believe when it comes to diabetes is that eating too many sweets is what causes it. But this isn’t exactly the case. For type 2 diabetes, the most common risk factors are being obese or overweight and having diabetes present in one’s family medical history.
That said, having a sweet tooth may not directly lead to diabetes, but always indulging it can lead to the excessive weight gain that consequently increases your risk for the disease.
3) Type 1 Diabetes is More Common Among Young People
Type 1 is the most commonly diagnosed type of diabetes among children and young adults, which is why it was previously known as juvenile diabetes. This only goes to show how crucial early screening for diabetes mellitus can be, especially among young people who are susceptible to the disease.
Over the last few years, there has been an increase of diabetes diagnoses among Singaporean teenagers that was linked to unhealthy diets and lack of physical activity. This has led to nationwide programs that push for more active lifestyles and obesity prevention as part of the country’s War on Diabetes.
4) Diabetes is Among the Leading Causes of Blindness
Due to constantly elevated sugar levels in the person experiencing it, diabetes can also cause complications to other parts of the body. One part that’s extremely susceptible is the eye. Diabetic retinopathy, a condition that occurs in 30 percent to 40 percent of diabetes patients, is a vision impairment caused by swelling or leaking of blood vessels in the retina. Proper management of diabetes can lower the risk of this type of complication.
5) Prediabetes Treatment Can Prevent the Onset of Type 2 Diabetes
As the term implies, prediabetes refers to a stage where one has high levels of blood sugar, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Getting tested to determine whether you have prediabetes and making necessary lifestyle changes can lower your risks of developing type 2 diabetes down the line. Such changes include managing your weight, getting regular exercise, and having a healthier diet.
6) Diabetes Can Significantly Affect One’s Mental Health
Managing diabetes can be an incredibly stressful endeavor, which can lead to extreme bouts of anger, sadness, frustration, and fear. US studies have shown that people with diabetes are more likely to develop depression and anxiety than those without it.
If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, it would be good to explore the various types of mental, emotional, and social support available to you so that you can lead a holistically healthy life. Some examples include sports or forms of exercise you find fun and the company of your family and friends.
7) There is No Cure for Diabetes, but Remission is Possible
No cure for diabetes currently exists, but that doesn’t mean that those diagnosed with it are stuck with the treatment forever. Consistent treatment can lead diabetes to go into remission—that is, when the blood sugar levels remain normal even without medication. The disease may still be present in one’s body, but remission can be freeing for many.
All in all, diabetes is a complex disease. If you or someone you know has it, educating yourself about the condition can help you make more clear-headed decisions about the care and treatment process that comes with it. Let this article be your starting point for learning more about diabetes and how to live a healthy and happy life in spite of it.
