Diabetes

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a long-term condition in which blood glucose (sugar) stays too high, either because the pancreas makes too little insulin or because the body cannot use insulin properly. Type 2 diabetes is by far the most common form in adults; type 1 is an autoimmune condition that usually starts earlier in life, and gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy. Type 2 often causes no symptoms for years, which is why blood tests matter: an HbA1c of 6.5% or higher, or a fasting glucose of 126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L) or higher, is consistent with diabetes, while an HbA1c of 5.7–6.4% indicates prediabetes. A doctor confirms the diagnosis, usually with a repeat test.

Symptoms

• ●Increased thirst
• ●Frequent urination
• ●Unexplained weight loss
• ●Fatigue
• ●Blurred vision
• ●Slow-healing wounds

What Causes Diabetes?

In type 2 diabetes, the body's cells become resistant to insulin and the pancreas gradually cannot produce enough to compensate. Excess body weight, especially around the abdomen, physical inactivity and genetics all contribute. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. Gestational diabetes is caused by hormonal changes in pregnancy that reduce the body's response to insulin.

Risk Factors

• ⚠Overweight or obesity, especially abdominal fat
• ⚠Physical inactivity
• ⚠Family history of type 2 diabetes
• ⚠Increasing age
• ⚠Prediabetes or a history of gestational diabetes
• ⚠High blood pressure or abnormal cholesterol

How to Prevent Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes can often be prevented or delayed. Losing even a modest amount of excess weight, staying active for at least 150 minutes a week, eating more vegetables, whole grains and fibre while cutting sugary drinks and refined carbohydrates, and not smoking all lower the risk. If you have prediabetes, regular HbA1c checks show whether these changes are working. Type 1 diabetes cannot currently be prevented.

When to Get Tested

Get tested if you have symptoms such as increased thirst, frequent urination or unexplained weight loss, or if you are 35 or older and overweight, or have other risk factors such as a family history of diabetes. If results are normal, repeating the test every three years is a reasonable approach. If you already have diabetes, your doctor will recheck HbA1c regularly and test your kidney function at least once a year.

References & Sources

• [1]
  WHO — Diabetes OverviewAccessed: 2026-02-14
• [2]
  Mayo Clinic — Type 2 DiabetesAccessed: 2026-02-14
• [3]
  CDC — Diabetes BasicsAccessed: 2026-02-14
• [4]
  CDC — Diabetes TestingAccessed: 2026-10-03
• [5]
  USPSTF — Screening for Prediabetes and Type 2 DiabetesAccessed: 2026-10-03