Diabetes Types, symptoms, complications and management

09/04/2022 Helal Medical

Last Updated on 03/11/2026 by DrHelal

Diabetes, a metabolic disorder characterized by high sugar levels, is recognized as the world’s fastest growing chronic condition. Patients experience frequent urination, excessive thirst or hunger, and weight changes. It can be managed by life style changes, medication, and insulin. It is caused by insulin resistance or insufficiency.

What if you learn managing diabetes with less burden? Continue reading if you are you want to discover practical steps to take control of your health and

In this article, we will explore diabetes world, its types, causes, symptoms and complications. Finally, we will discuss diagnosis and management strategies.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder where the body cannot regulate blood sugar. This leads to high glucose levels that Over time, can damage body organs.

How the Body Processes Glucose

Normally, the body breaks down food and creates glucose to use for energy. The pancreas releases insulin that helps glucose enter cells but, in diabetes, this process fails.

Types and Causes of Diabetes

Type 1

Exact cause of this condition is not known. Maybe Caused by autoimmune disorder that leads to destruction of pancreatic islet cells.
Failure of pancreas to produce enough insulin or no insulin will cause high blood glucose.
Other causes include genetic and pancreatic diseases.

Type 2

The most common type, about 85% of people with diabetes.
Caused by insufficient insulin production or resistance to insulin, that leads to higher blood sugar above normal levels. Body cells cannot absorb glucose and convert it into energy as a result of this resistance.
Risk factors: obesity, sedentary lifestyle and family history (genetic). Aging is a factor; people above the age of 45 years are at higher risk. Additionally, prediabetes is a risk factor.

Gestational Diabetes

A condition where some pregnant women develop diabetes (high blood sugar).
Various causes might result in the condition. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can lead to gestational diabetes. Being overweight before pregnancy may also cause gestational diabetes.

Diabetes insipidus

It results from an water imbalance in the body.
It is caused by a deficiency of anti-diuretic hormone (ADH). ADH regulates the amount of fluid in the body.
Causes of (ADH) deficiency include several factors. It can be due to a damaged or injured pituitary gland or hypothalamus. A tumor or infection of the pituitary gland is another cause. Also, genetic disorders can lead to this deficiency. Kidney problems such as chronic kidney disease contribute to it as well. Some drugs, like antiviral medications, can also be responsible.

Common Symptoms of Diabetes

1. Frequent Urination (Polyuria)
Excess sugar in the blood pulls water from tissues. This causes your kidneys to work harder and produce more urine. You find yourself going to the bathroom several times a night.

2. Excessive Thirst (Polydipsia)
Your body loses more fluid through urination. As a result, you become constantly thirsty. You crave water or sweet drinks.

3. Increased Hunger (Polyphagia)
Despite eating more, your body can’t properly use glucose for energy, leading to constant hunger.

4. Unexplained Weight Loss
When your cells can’t get glucose, your body burns fat and muscle for energy. This can lead to sudden, unintended weight loss.

5. Fatigue and Weakness
Without enough energy entering your cells, you can feel tired even after sleeping or eating well.

6. Blurred Vision
High blood sugar causes fluid changes in the eyes, making your vision blurry or fluctuating.

7. Slow-Healing Wounds or Frequent Infections
Cuts and bruises take longer to heal. You develop skin infections more often. There is also a higher risk of gum disease or urinary tract infections.

8. Tingling or Numbness in Hands and Feet
This is a sign of nerve damage. Neuropathy is caused by prolonged high blood sugar.

Less Common or Subtle Signs

Dark, velvety patches on the neck or armpits (acanthosis nigricans)
Itchy skin or fungal infections
Mood changes and irritability
Dry mouth and frequent headaches

Even mild symptoms should not be ignored, especially if you are overweight or have a family history of diabetes.

Who Is at Risk?

You’re more liable to develop diabetes if you:

Are over 40 years old
Are overweight or obese
Have a sedentary lifestyle
Have a family history of diabetes
Have high blood pressure or high cholesterol
Had gestational diabetes during pregnancy

Diabetes Complications

If diabetes not managed properly, the patient may suffer from one or more of diabetes complications. Complications include the following:

Heart disease, Stroke
Kidney disease
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) which is a serious condition
Eye damage (Diabetic Retinopathy)
Nerve damage
Foot Problems
Nerve Damage (Peripheral neuropathy)
Gum and dental Disease
Erectile dysfunction (in men)

Diagnosis of Diabetes

Diagnosis is done only by blood testing to measure blood glucose level. To confirm that the patient is diabetic the test must be repeated in another day.

What are the blood tests for diabetes diagnosis?

FBS (Fasting Blood Sugar). The patient is diabetic if his FBS is 126 mg/dl or higher.
Other tests include A1C test and OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test). See the table below.

Read more details in our article (Diabetes Diagnosis). You are considered Diabetic if the tests show the following:

TEST	Diabetic	Prediabetic	Normal
FBS	= 126 mg/dl or higher	Between 100 and 126 mg/dl	= Below 100 mg/dl
A1C	= 6.4% or higher	Between 5.7% and 6.4%	= Below 5.7%
OGTT	= 200 mg/dl or higher	Between 140 and 200 mg/dl	= Below 140 mg/dl

What is prediabetic State?

It is the condition where the tests are higher than normal, but still below the diabetic levels. Before becoming diabetic, patients usually pass through the prediabetic stage where they often display no symptoms. You are considered prediabetic if the tests show the levels in the table above.

Management and Treatment

Diabetes is not an easy condition to keep under control. Aside from maintaining blood glucose levels within accepted ranges, you should also manage your blood pressure. In addition, control your cholesterol levels and maintain a healthy weight. It’s also important to deal with emotional stress.

Read our article: Healthy Diet Plan for Diabetics: Foods to Eat and Avoid

You need to make combination of two methods to handle the disease effectively, as following:

Lifestyle.

You have to make changes to your lifestyle that will help control your condition. This is the first step, patient must start with, even before medications.
Healthy eating is very important for everyone to stay healthy, and even more important for diabetics. You need to learn two things about your food. First, what food types are good for you. Second, how much you have to eat.
Proper exercise which is as important as healthy food.
Read more about How to Manage Diabetes During the Holidays!

Medications.

When diet and exercise alone aren’t enough for managing diabetes, you need to take some drugs. These include insulin and other diabetes medications.
Insulin is the most common medication used in type 1 diabetes treatment, it is used also for type 2. It is given by injection.
Type 2 medications:
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors include acarbose (Precose) and miglitol (Glyset).
Biguanides are another type of medication, its most common form is metformin.

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At Helal Medical Manila, we encourage all diabetic patients to include annual retinal screening as part of their regular care. Early detection means brighter, clearer vision—and a better quality of life. 📍 Visit us today or message Helal Medical page on Facebook to schedule your diabetic screening.

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Diabetes Types, symptoms, complications and management