Type 1 and 2 diabetes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

It develops silently over years, causing neither pain nor clear warning signs. Meanwhile, changes occur in the body that gradually increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, or kidney damage. For many patients, the diagnosis of diabetes comes as a surprise, occurring during routine tests or a random doctor's visit. However, diabetes doesn't appear suddenly; it's a consequence of modern lifestyles, which is why it's increasingly being called one of the most serious lifestyle diseases of the 21st century.

What exactly is diabetes?

Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion and/or action. Chronic hyperglycemia is associated with damage, dysfunction, and failure of organs such as the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, and blood vessels.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common, accounting for over 90% of cases. It may be genetically determined, but environmental factors play a decisive role. Its development is closely linked to lifestyle, excess body weight, and lack of physical activity. Type 1 diabetes, with its autoimmune origin, is less common and usually manifests at a younger age. Other specific types of diabetes occur in endocrinopathies, pancreatic diseases, or are a consequence of medication. A separate group is hyperglycemia first diagnosed during pregnancy, known as gestational diabetes and gestational diabetes.

Diabetes – a disease that develops over years, often without symptoms

One of the greatest risks associated with type 2 diabetes is its asymptomatic early stage. Prediabetes and initial carbohydrate metabolism disorders can persist for many years without any significant symptoms. During this time, chronically elevated glucose levels gradually damage blood vessels, nerve fibers, kidneys, and eyes.

Symptoms such as:

• increased thirst,
• unintentional weight loss
• frequent urination,
• chronic fatigue, drowsiness
• purulent lesions on the skin and inflammation of the genitourinary organs
• deterioration of visual acuity

They usually appear only when metabolic changes are already advanced. For this reason, a significant number of patients are diagnosed only after the first complications have occurred.

Diabetes complications

Untreated or poorly controlled diabetes leads to chronic complications that significantly reduce patients' quality of life. The most common of these include:

• cardiovascular diseases – diabetes increases the risk of heart attack and stroke several times,
• diabetic nephropathy – one of the most common causes of end-stage renal failure,
• diabetic retinopathy – the main cause of vision loss in people of working age,
• peripheral neuropathy – leading to sensory disturbances, pain and diabetic foot syndrome.

The risk of developing complications in people with diabetes correlates directly with the duration of the disease and the degree of glycemic control. Each year of uncontrolled diabetes increases the likelihood of irreversible changes.

Early diagnosis

Early diagnosis of diabetes can effectively halt its progression. Basic screening tests include:

• test blood glucose fasting
• oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT),
• glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) determination.

These tests can detect not only diabetes but also prediabetes, a key stage for preventative measures. Intervention at this stage can prevent the development of full-blown disease.

Prevention and treatment

The basis of type 2 diabetes treatment is lifestyle modification, including a carefully formulated diet, supplemented with pharmacotherapy if necessary. Research confirms that:

• weight loss improves tissue sensitivity to insulin,
• regular physical activity of 150 minutes/week reduces the risk of diabetes
• A properly selected diet, based on vegetables, whole grain products, healthy fats and an adequate supply of protein, while limiting simple sugars and highly processed foods, reduces the risk of vascular complications.

Modern diabetes treatment is not just about "lowering sugar levels", but about comprehensive protection of the cardiovascular system, kidneys and other organs.

Diabetes, despite being one of the most common lifestyle diseases, doesn't have to mean patients lose control over their health. Well-managed treatment for people diagnosed with diabetes and regular diagnostics allow them to reduce the risk of complications and lead an active life for many years. Early detection and informed lifestyle decisions are crucial.

Medical consultation

doctor Katarzyna Mazur-Chromiak

Diabetologist at CM Luxmed

Zamość, Pocztowa Street 3