Diabetes was the ninth leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for over 1.5 million deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019. These numbers highlight just how critical it is to bring awareness and education around this chronic condition.
If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with diabetes, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed—but know that you’re not alone. Millions of people around the world are managing this condition every day and living full, active lives. The key lies in understanding diabetes: what causes it, how it affects your body, and what steps you can take to control it effectively.
Understanding diabetes goes beyond knowing your diagnosis—it means learning how blood sugar regulation works, recognizing early symptoms, identifying risk factors, and understanding the difference between various types of diabetes, such as Type 1, Type 2, gestational diabetes, and prediabetes. When you grasp the impact that lifestyle, diet, exercise, and medical care have on blood sugar control, you’re empowered to take control of your health.
Remember, diabetes doesn’t have to define your life. With the right information, support system, and guidance from healthcare professionals like endocrinologists, you can reduce your risk of complications and improve your quality of life. Taking the first step by learning and understanding diabetes can make all the difference in your health journey.
We at Doral Health & Wellness have all the answers you are looking for.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus is a group of chronic hormonal diseases giving rise to a malfunction in the way your body uses blood sugar (if the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or when the body isn’t able to use the insulin it produces). Insulin is a hormone that manages blood sugar levels. Increased blood sugar levels (Hyperglycemia) are the result of uncontrolled diabetes and lead to considerable damage to the nerves, eyes, kidneys, heart, and blood vessels over time.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes (also known as insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile-onset diabetes) is a chronic condition that develops when the body produces little to no insulin. This form of diabetes typically appears in childhood or adolescence, although it can develop at any age. According to global health estimates, in 2017 there were more than 9 million people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes—roughly half the population of New York.
Causes
The primary cause of type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune reaction in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This means the body can no longer make enough insulin, a hormone essential for converting glucose (sugar) from the food we eat into usable energy. Without insulin, blood sugar levels rise, leading to serious complications over time if left unmanaged.
Understanding diabetes—especially type 1—is critical for early detection and treatment. While genetics play a significant role in its onset, environmental factors such as viral infections may also trigger the autoimmune response in individuals with a genetic predisposition.
Unlike type 2 diabetes, type 1 is not linked to lifestyle factors like diet or physical inactivity. Therefore, understanding diabetes helps reduce stigma and empowers individuals and families to focus on effective disease management rather than misplaced blame.
Living with type 1 diabetes requires consistent insulin therapy, blood sugar monitoring, and lifestyle adjustments. By understanding diabetes and how type 1 differs from other forms, individuals can make informed decisions, reduce risks of complications, and improve long-term health outcomes.
Remember: Anyone can learn to manage this disease by following a proper diet and exercise routine and with the help of insulin therapy and other treatments.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, especially among adults, and is typically the result of long-term metabolic changes in the body. It develops gradually and is often linked to lifestyle habits such as poor diet, physical inactivity, excess weight, and chronic stress. However, genetics can also play a significant role in its onset.
Unlike type 1 diabetes, where insulin production is severely impaired, in type 2 diabetes the body either doesn’t use insulin effectively (a condition known as insulin resistance) or doesn’t produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Over time, this inefficiency causes glucose to accumulate in the bloodstream instead of being absorbed into the cells for energy.
Causes
There is no single cause for type 2 diabetes, but it commonly develops when cells in your muscles, fat, and liver become resistant to insulin. As a result, the pancreas tries to compensate by producing more insulin. Eventually, it can’t keep up, leading to consistently high blood sugar levels—a hallmark of diabetes.
Understanding diabetes, particularly type 2, is essential for early intervention. Many people live for years without knowing they have it, as symptoms can be mild or attributed to aging or stress. Early symptoms may include increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, and slow-healing wounds. Unfortunately, without proper knowledge, these signs are often ignored until complications develop.
With the right approach, type 2 diabetes can be prevented or managed effectively. Adopting healthier habits, such as maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular exercise, reducing stress, and scheduling regular checkups, plays a vital role. Understanding diabetes empowers individuals to take proactive steps that may even reverse insulin resistance in its early stages.
Whether you’ve been newly diagnosed or are at risk, gaining a deeper understanding of diabetes is the first step toward a healthier, more informed life.
Remember: A key to managing type 2 diabetes is regular workouts and a healthy diet. A little effort every day can help you put yourself in charge of your life.
We’re here with all the resources and support you need. Call us on 1-347-384-5690.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a form of hyperglycemia diagnosed during the first few months of pregnancy/gestation. It happens to millions of women and though it sounds scary, you can manage it.
Causes
During pregnancy, changes in hormonal levels may sometimes make it difficult for the mother’s body to use insulin leading to insulin resistance.
Remember: Gestational diabetes can cause problems for you and your baby. Talk to your doctor to find ways to keep your blood sugar levels normal and have a safe delivery.
Prediabetes
Prediabetes means that your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. What’s alarming is there are no clear symptoms of prediabetes—so you may have it and not know it. Also, most people with type 2 diabetes almost always have prediabetes before getting diagnosed.
Remember: If you’ve been diagnosed with prediabetes, keep in mind that it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll develop type 2 diabetes.
See your doctor now and get tested.
Health impact
Over time, diabetes can damage all the major organs in the body including the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.
- Neuropathy (nerve damage) in the feet, when combined with restricted blood flow, raises the risk of foot ulcers, infection, and amputation.
- Diabetics have a two- to three-times higher risk of heart attacks and strokes.
- Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most common causes of kidney failure.
- Diabetic retinopathy is a common cause of blindness that develops because of long-term damage to the retina’s tiny blood vessels.
What can I do?
Diabetes is a serious condition, but you manage it. Talk to our healthcare team about Diabetes and its management.
To learn more about Diabetes and its management visit our Endocrinology page. You can also visit our website at https://doralhw.org or contact us at info@mainwebsite.dialysisny.com if you have any queries. Call us on 1-347-384-5690 to get answers to your queries or pay us a visit at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212. And if you have diabetes or have its symptoms, come to us for diagnosis and treatment, we have the best endocrinologists and diabetes specialists to help you throughout the process.
