Introduction
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition that happens when your blood sugar (glucose) is too
high. It develops when your pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin or any at
all, or when your body isn’t responding to the effects of insulin properly.
Diabetes affects people of all ages. Most forms of diabetes are chronic
(lifelong), and all forms are manageable with medications and/or lifestyle
changes.
Glucose (sugar) mainly comes from carbohydrates in your food and drinks.
It’s your body’s go-to source of energy. Your blood carries glucose to all
your body’s cells to use for energy.
When glucose is in your bloodstream, it needs help — a “key” — to reach
its final destination. This key is insulin (a hormone). If your pancreas isn’t
making enough insulin or your body isn’t using it properly, glucose builds
up in your bloodstream, causing high blood sugar (hyperglycemia).
Over time, having consistently high blood glucose can cause health
problems, such as heart disease, nerve damage and eye issues.
The technical name for diabetes is diabetes mellitus. Another condition
shares the term “diabetes” — diabetes insipidus — but they’re distinct.
They share the name “diabetes” because they both cause increased thirst
and frequent urination. Diabetes insipidus is much rarer than diabetes
mellitus.
What are the types of diabetes?
There are several types of diabetes. The most common forms include:
Type 2 diabetes: With this type, your body doesn’t make enough
insulin and/or your body’s cells don’t respond normally to the insulin
(insulin resistance). This is the most common type of diabetes. It
mainly affects adults, but children can have it as well.
Prediabetes: This type is the stage before Type 2 diabetes. Your
blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to
be officially diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes: This type is an autoimmune disease in which
your immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells in
your pancreas for unknown reasons. Up to 10% of people who have
diabetes have Type 1. It’s usually diagnosed in children and young
adults, but it can develop at any age.
Gestational diabetes: This type develops in some people
during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after
pregnancy. However, if you have gestational diabetes, you’re at a
higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.
Other types of diabetes include:
Type 3c diabetes: This form of diabetes happens when your
pancreas experiences damage (other than autoimmune damage),
which affects its ability to produce insulin. Pancreatitis, pancreatic
cancer, cystic fibrosis and hemochromatosis can all lead to pancreas
damage that causes diabetes. Having your pancreas removed
(pancreatectomy) also results in Type 3c.
Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA): Like Type 1
diabetes, LADA also results from an autoimmune reaction, but it
develops much more slowly than Type 1. People diagnosed with
LADA are usually over the age of 30.
Maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY): MODY, also called
monogenic diabetes, happens due to an inherited genetic
mutation that affects how your body makes and uses insulin. There
are currently over 10 different types of MODY. It affects up to 5% of
people with diabetes and commonly runs in families.
Neonatal diabetes: This is a rare form of diabetes that occurs within
the first six months of life. It’s also a form of monogenic diabetes.
About 50% of babies with neonatal diabetes have the lifelong form
called permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus. For the other half, the
condition disappears within a few months from onset, but it can come
back later in life. This is called transient neonatal diabetes mellitus.
Brittle diabetes: Brittle diabetes is a form of Type 1 diabetes that’s
marked by frequent and severe episodes of high and low blood sugar
levels. This instability often leads to hospitalization. In rare cases,
a pancreas transplant may be necessary to permanently treat brittle
diabetes.
How common is diabetes?
Diabetes is common. Approximately 37.3 million people in the United
States have diabetes, which is about 11% of the population. Type 2
diabetes is the most common form, representing 90% to 95% of all
diabetes cases.
About 537 million adults across the world have diabetes. Experts predict
this number will rise to 643 million by 2030 and 783 million by 2045.
Symptoms and Causes
The severity of symptoms can vary based on the type of diabetes you
have. These symptoms are usually more intense in Type 1 diabetes than
Type 2 diabetes.
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
Symptoms of diabetes include:
Increased thirst (polydipsia) and dry mouth.
Frequent urination.
Fatigue.
Blurred vision.
Unexplained weight loss.
Numbness or tingling in your hands or feet.
Slow-healing sores or cuts.
Frequent skin and/or vaginal yeast infections.
It’s important to talk to your healthcare provider if you or your child has
these symptoms.
Additional details about symptoms per type of diabetes include:
Type 1 diabetes: Symptoms of T1D can develop quickly — over a
few weeks or months. You may develop additional symptoms that are
signs of a severe complication called diabetes-related ketoacidosis
(DKA). DKA is life-threatening and requires immediate medical
treatment. DKA symptoms include vomiting, stomach pains, fruity-
smelling breath and labored breathing.
Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes: You may not have any symptoms
at all, or you may not notice them since they develop slowly. Routine
bloodwork may show a high blood sugar level before you recognize
symptoms. Another possible sign of prediabetes is darkened skin on
certain parts of your body (acanthosis nigricans).
Gestational diabetes: You typically won’t notice symptoms of
gestational diabetes. Your healthcare provider will test you for
gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy.
What causes diabetes?
Too much glucose circulating in your bloodstream causes diabetes,
regardless of the type. However, the reason why your blood glucose levels
are high differs depending on the type of diabetes.
Causes of diabetes include:
Insulin resistance: Type 2 diabetes mainly results from insulin
resistance. Insulin resistance happens when cells in your muscles, fat
and liver don’t respond as they should to insulin. Several factors and
conditions contribute to varying degrees of insulin resistance,
including obesity, lack of physical activity, diet, hormonal imbalances,
genetics and certain medications.
Autoimmune disease: Type 1 diabetes and LADA happen when
your immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in your
pancreas.
Hormonal imbalances: During pregnancy, the placenta releases
hormones that cause insulin resistance. You may develop gestational
diabetes if your pancreas can’t produce enough insulin to overcome
the insulin resistance. Other hormone-related conditions
like acromegaly and Cushing syndrome can also cause Type 2
diabetes.
Pancreatic damage: Physical damage to your pancreas — from a
condition, surgery or injury — can impact its ability to make insulin,
resulting in Type 3c diabetes.
Genetic mutations: Certain genetic mutations can cause MODY and
neonatal diabetes.
Long-term use of certain medications can also lead to Type 2 diabetes,
including HIV/AIDS medications and corticosteroids.
What are the complications of diabetes?
Diabetes can lead to acute (sudden and severe) and long-term
complications — mainly due to extreme or prolonged high blood sugar
levels.
Acute diabetes complications
Acute diabetes complications that can be life-threatening include:
Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS): This complication
mainly affects people with Type 2 diabetes. It happens when your
blood sugar levels are very high (over 600 milligrams per deciliter or
mg/dL) for a long period, leading to severe dehydration and
confusion. It requires immediate medical treatment.
Diabetes-related ketoacidosis (DKA): This complication mainly
affects people with Type 1 diabetes or undiagnosed T1D. It happens
when your body doesn’t have enough insulin. If your body doesn’t
have insulin, it can’t use glucose for energy, so it breaks down fat
instead. This process eventually releases substances called ketones,
which turn your blood acidic. This causes labored breathing, vomiting
and loss of consciousness. DKA requires immediate medical
treatment.
Severe low blood sugar (hypoglycemia): Hypoglycemia happens
when your blood sugar level drops below the range that’s healthy for
you. Severe hypoglycemia is very low blood sugar. It mainly affects
people with diabetes who use insulin. Signs include blurred or double
vision, clumsiness, disorientation and seizures. It requires treatment
with emergency glucagon and/or medical intervention.
Long-term diabetes complications
Blood glucose levels that remain high for too long can damage your body’s
tissues and organs. This is mainly due to damage to your blood vessels
and nerves, which support your body’s tissues.
Cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) issues are the most common type
of long-term diabetes complication. They include:
Coronary artery disease.
Heart attack.
Stroke.
Atherosclerosis.
Other diabetes complications include:
Nerve damage (neuropathy), which can cause numbness, tingling
and/or pain.
Nephropathy, which can lead to kidney failure or the need
for dialysis or transplant.
Retinopathy, which can lead to blindness.
Diabetes-related foot conditions.
Skin infections.
Amputations.
Sexual dysfunction due to nerve and blood vessel damage, such
as erectile dysfunction or vaginal dryness.
Gastroparesis.
Hearing loss.
Oral health issues, such as gum (periodontal) disease.
Living with diabetes can also affect your mental health. People with
diabetes are two to three times more likely to have depression than people
without diabetes.
Diagnosis and Tests
Diagnosing Diabetes
How is diabetes diagnosed?
Healthcare providers diagnose diabetes by checking your glucose level in a
blood test. Three tests can measure your blood glucose level:
Fasting blood glucose test: For this test, you don’t eat or drink
anything except water (fast) for at least eight hours before the test. As
food can greatly affect blood sugar, this test allows your provider to
see your baseline blood sugar.
Random blood glucose test: “Random” means that you can get this
test at any time, regardless of if you’ve fasted.
A1c: This test, also called HbA1C or glycated hemoglobin test,
provides your average blood glucose level over the past two to three
months.
To screen for and diagnose gestational diabetes, providers order an oral
glucose tolerance test.
The following test results typically indicate if you don’t have diabetes, have
prediabetes or have diabetes. These values may vary slightly. In addition,
healthcare providers rely on more than one test to diagnose diabetes.
In-range Prediabetes
Type of test Diabetes (mg/L)
(mg/dL) (mg/dL)
Fasting blood Less than
100 to 125. 126 or higher.
glucose test 100.
200 or higher (with classic symptoms
Random blood
N/A. N/A. of hyperglycemia or hyperglycemic
glucose test
crisis).
Less than
A1c 5.7% to 6.4%. 6.5% or higher.
5.7%.
Management and Treatment
Managing Diabetes
How is diabetes managed?
Diabetes is a complex condition, so its management involves several
strategies. In addition, diabetes affects everyone differently, so
management plans are highly individualized.
The four main aspects of managing diabetes include:
Blood sugar monitoring: Monitoring your blood sugar (glucose) is
key to determining how well your current treatment plan is working. It
gives you information on how to manage your diabetes on a daily —
and sometimes even hourly — basis. You can monitor your levels
with frequent checks with a glucose meter and finger stick and/or with
a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). You and your healthcare
provider will determine the best blood sugar range for you.
Oral diabetes medications: Oral diabetes medications (taken by
mouth) help manage blood sugar levels in people who have diabetes
but still produce some insulin — mainly people with Type 2 diabetes
and prediabetes. People with gestational diabetes may also need oral
medication. There are several different types. Metformin is the most
common.
Insulin: People with Type 1 diabetes need to inject synthetic insulin
to live and manage diabetes. Some people with Type 2 diabetes also
require insulin. There are several different types of synthetic insulin.
They each start to work at different speeds and last in your body for
different lengths of time. The four main ways you can take insulin
include injectable insulin with a syringe (shot), insulin pens, insulin
pumps and rapid-acting inhaled insulin.
Diet: Meal planning and choosing a healthy diet for you are key
aspects of diabetes management, as food greatly impacts blood
sugar. If you take insulin, counting carbs in the food and drinks you
consume is a large part of management. The amount of carbs you
eat determines how much insulin you need at meals. Healthy eating
habits can also help you manage your weight and reduce your heart
disease risk.
Exercise: Physical activity increases insulin sensitivity (and helps
reduce insulin resistance), so regular exercise is an important part of
management for all people with diabetes.
Due to the increased risk for heart disease, it’s also important to maintain a
healthy:
Weight.
Blood pressure.
Cholesterol.
Prevention
How can I prevent diabetes?
You can’t prevent autoimmune and genetic forms of diabetes. But there are
some steps you can take to lower your risk for developing prediabetes,
Type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes, including:
Eat a healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet.
Get physically active. Aim for 30 minutes a day at least five days a
week.
Work to achieve a weight that’s healthy for you.
Manage your stress.
Limit alcohol intake.
Get adequate sleep (typically 7 to 9 hours) and seek treatment for
sleep disorders.
Quit smoking.
Take medications as directed by your healthcare provider to manage
existing risk factors for heart disease.
It’s important to note that there are some diabetes risk factors you can’t
change, such as your genetics/family history, age and race. Know that
Type 2 diabetes is a complex condition that involves many contributing
factors.
Outlook / Prognosis
What is the prognosis for diabetes?
The prognosis (outlook) for diabetes varies greatly depending on several
factors, including:
The type of diabetes.
How well you manage the condition over time and your access to
diabetes care.
Your age at diagnosis/how long you’ve had diabetes.
If you have other health conditions.
If you develop diabetes complications.
Chronic high blood sugar can cause severe complications, which are
usually irreversible. Several studies have shown that untreated chronic high
blood sugar shortens your lifespan and worsens your quality of life.
In the United States, diabetes is the eighth leading cause of death. A large
number of people with diabetes will die from a heart attack or stroke.
However, it’s important to know that you can live a healthy life with
diabetes. The following are key to a better prognosis:
Lifestyle changes.
Regular exercise.
Dietary changes.
Regular blood sugar monitoring.
Studies show that people with diabetes may be able to reduce their risk of
complications by consistently keeping their A1c levels below 7%.
Living With
When should I see my healthcare provider?
If you haven’t been diagnosed with diabetes, you should see a healthcare
provider if you have any symptoms of diabetes, such as increased thirst
and frequent urination.
If you have diabetes, you should see your provider who helps you manage
diabetes (such as an endocrinologist) regularly.
Being diagnosed with diabetes is a life-changing event, but it doesn’t mean
you can’t live a happy and healthy life. Managing diabetes involves
consistent care and diligence. While it’ll likely be very overwhelming at first,
over time you’ll get a better grasp on managing the condition and being in
tune with your body.
Be sure to see your healthcare provider(s) regularly. Managing diabetes
involves a team effort — you’ll want medical professionals, friends and
family on your side. Don’t be afraid to reach out to them if you need help.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Diabetes
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CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that Alibha Priyadarshini, a bonafide student of Class
XII-B of Ryan International School, Noida has successfully completed
the project of “Diabetes: Types and Treatments” under the guidance
of her teacher, Ms. Anuja in the academic year 2024-25. This is the
original work of the student and the references taken for the project
have been declared at the end.
Teacher In-Charge External Examiner
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
It brings me immense amount of elation at the prospect of putting my
gratitude down on this sheet of paper. I take this opportunity to extend my
thanks to all those important people, who have made it possible for me to
make this project a very constructive one.
I thank my biology teacher, Ms. Anuja, for enabling me to expand my
horizons and research on topics, out of the box. I have been strengthened
by the efforts of my parents and friends in this endeavor.
This project provides an insight into how doe diabetes affects people’s
health. I once again want to thank everyone for being a catalyst and
helping me in making this project.
THANK YOU.
Alibha Priyadarshini
(XII-B)
Ryan International School, Noida
