Diabetes is a condition in which the level of sugar in the blood is chronically high, because the body does not produce enough of the hormone insulin or cannot use insulin properly. Insulin's job is to move sugar from the bloodstream into the cells to be used for energy. When this process breaks down, sugar builds up in the blood and, over time, causes damage to various organs.
Understanding the disease and its causes
The most common form is type 2 diabetes, which is linked to excess body weight and lifestyle. The body can still produce some insulin, but the cells respond to it less well (insulin resistance). The risk factors worth knowing about include:
- Being overweight or obese, especially around the abdomen
- Lack of exercise and long periods of sitting still
- Regularly eating a lot of sugary food, starch and fat
- Having a parent or sibling with diabetes (genetics)
- Older age, together with high blood pressure or high blood fats
Symptoms to watch for
Type 2 diabetes usually develops slowly and has no clear symptoms at first. Many people are diagnosed by chance through a blood test. Symptoms that can appear as blood sugar rises include:
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Excessive thirst and frequent hunger
- Fatigue and unintentional weight loss
- Slow-healing wounds, frequent infections, blurred vision
Complications to be aware of
The danger of diabetes is not the blood-sugar number itself, but the long-term damage to blood vessels and nerves when it is poorly controlled. The major complications include:
- Eyes — diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to blurred vision or blindness
- Kidneys — chronic kidney disease, up to the point of needing dialysis
- Nerves — numbness in the hands and feet, with foot wounds that are slow to heal and carry a risk of amputation
- Heart and blood vessels — an increased risk of ischaemic heart disease and stroke
Diabetes can be controlled with 4 pillars
Managing diabetes rests on four pillars: diet (less sugar, less refined starch, more vegetables and fibre), regular exercise of at least 150 minutes a week, medication taken consistently as prescribed by your doctor, and blood-sugar monitoring at regular intervals. All four work together to keep blood sugar within range and slow down complications.
Prevention and self-care
Whether you have diabetes yet or not, changing your habits is at the heart of managing it. You can start with things close to home:
- Keep your weight within a healthy range — even a small amount of weight loss helps a lot
- Cut back on sweet drinks and soft drinks, and choose brown rice or whole-grain starch
- Walk, run, cycle, or do any exercise you can keep up regularly
- Quit smoking, drink less alcohol, and get enough sleep
- Have regular health checks and blood tests so you know your own numbers
At Doctor Chat Clinic, a doctor cares for patients with chronic diseases, with health checks, blood tests for blood sugar and HbA1c, and ongoing follow-up of your condition — to help you control diabetes close to home.
Warning signs that need a doctor urgently
- Very high blood sugar together with drowsiness, confusion, or deep, rapid breathing
- Signs of low blood sugar: palpitations, sweating, dizziness, intense hunger, almost fainting
- A foot wound that is swollen and red, has pus, or is a chronic non-healing wound
- Sudden blurred vision, or clearly worsening numbness in the hands and feet
- Chest pain, weakness in the arms or legs, or slurred speech — go to hospital immediately