By Mojibola OrefujaWhen I first started learning about Diabetes in medical school, I was so confused. All the different type of diabetes; different causes and ways it can show up in the body; different symptoms; different types of treatment … it was all a lot. To say I was overwhelmed would be an understatement. The thing is, Diabetes is actually not as confusing as it appears to be. Its actually very straightforward. It becomes more confusing when you try to process everything all at once. Hopefully, in this post, I can break down Diabetes for you and help you to understand a bit more about it.
Diabetes, or Diabetes Mellitus, happens when your blood sugar (blood glucose) is too high. Normally, when you eat, your body extracts sugar from food and uses it for energy. Your body can also make glucose on its own (8).
Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, helps move glucose into your cells so your body can use it for energy. Depending on the type of diabetes you have, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use it properly. As a result, sugar builds up in your bloodstream instead of getting into your cells where it’s needed.
Types of Diabetes
Take a second and think about how many types of diabetes you can name. If you come up with more than three, you’re already ahead of where I was when I first started learning about this.
There are quite a few types of diabetes, but the four most commonly known are:
- Type 1 Diabetes (T1DM)
- Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM)
- Gestational Diabetes (GDM)
- Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY)
There are also lesser-known types, like medication-induced diabetes, autoimmune diabetes, and Type 3 diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes (T1DM)
Type 1 diabetes happens when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin—or any at all. The immune system mistakenly attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, so there isn’t enough insulin to move sugar from the bloodstream into the cells. This type is most common in children and young adults because the sugar builds up in the blood over time until the body can no longer manage it (1,2,3).
Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM)
Type 2 diabetes is the most common type. It happens when the body doesn’t use insulin properly. Your body might still make insulin, but it either doesn’t respond to it well or doesn’t make enough to keep blood sugar levels under control. This type is more common in people who are overweight or obese, and having a family history of diabetes increases your risk (1,4).
Gestational Diabetes (GDM)
Pregnancy comes with plenty of surprises—including gestational diabetes. This type only occurs during pregnancy when the body can’t make enough insulin for both the mother and baby. Babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes are often larger because of the excess sugar in the bloodstream. For most women, blood sugar levels return to normal after giving birth, but some may go on to develop Type 2 diabetes later (1,7).
Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY)
This is a rare form of diabetes which is different to the other types of diabetes mentioned above. It also has a strong familial link, meaning it runs in families. MODY is caused by a dominant gene genetic mutation. This means that a person only has to have one faulty gene to have this condition. This also means that people with this gene who go on to have children, will have a 50% chance of having children with this same condition. People who have MODY do not make enough insulin to control the amount of sugar in their blood (9). Its really important to know if you have MODY, so for more information, click this link: Maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) | Diabetes UK (or if your link-weary, search “diabetes uk MODY” in google to learn more).
Signs and Symptoms
Wondering if you might have diabetes? Here are some common symptoms:
- Excessive thirst and frequent urination
- Blurred vision
- Unexplained weight loss
- Recurrent infections
- Fatigue
- Darkened skin in areas like the armpits, groin, and neck
Diagnosis
If your doctor thinks you might have diabetes, they’ll order a few blood tests to check your blood sugar levels. The main ones include:
- Random Blood Glucose Test – Measures blood sugar at any given time. A level above 11 mmol/L on two occasions confirms diabetes. If it’s high once but you have symptoms, you may still be diagnosed.
- HbA1c (Glycated Hemoglobin Test) – Gives an average of your blood sugar levels over the past three months. This is more reliable than a single blood sugar reading because it shows long-term trends.
Management
Managing diabetes isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s important to understand that different people need different strategies. The three key areas of management are:
1. Education
Understanding diabetes is half the battle. Learning how different foods affect your blood sugar and how to monitor it properly can make a huge difference (3,5). There are great resources available, including:
- DESMOND (Diabetes Education for Self-Management for Ongoing and Newly Diagnosed) – https://www.desmond.nhs.uk
- Diabetes UK – https://www.diabetes.org.uk
- DAFNE (dose-adjustment for normal eating) – https://dafne.nhs.uk
Ask your doctor for more resources specific to your situation.
2. Lifestyle Changes
Yes, lifestyle matters! Eating healthy, losing weight, and staying active can improve blood sugar control. If diabetes runs in your family, these habits can even help prevent it. Reducing carb intake, cutting back on alcohol, and maintaining a balanced diet can all make a significant impact.
3. Medication
There are tons of medications for diabetes, with names that can be hard to pronounce (6). If you have questions about a specific one, drop a comment, and I’ll do my best to answer.
Recently, medications like Ozempic (Semaglutide) and Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) have gained popularity. They help manage diabetes by increasing insulin production, slowing digestion, and reducing appetite. They’re also used for weight loss, though they’re not officially marketed as weight-loss drugs. If you’re considering them, speak to your doctor or pharmacist first because they can have serious side effects including low blood sugar, dizziness, nausea, and stomach issues (10).
Diabetes can seem overwhelming, but once you break it down, it’s much easier to understand. Whether it’s Type 1, Type 2, gestational, or MODY, the key to managing diabetes is education, lifestyle changes, and, when necessary, medication. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
References:
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). What is diabetes? [Internet]. Bethesda, MD: NIDDK; [cited 2025 Feb 9]. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Diabetes – type 1 [Internet]. London: NICE; [cited 2025 Feb 9]. Available from: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/diabetes-type-1/
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Type 1 diabetes in adults: diagnosis and management. Recommendations [Internet]. London: NICE; [cited 2025 Feb 9]. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng17/chapter/Recommendations#blood-glucose-management
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Diabetes – type 2 [Internet]. London: NICE; [cited 2025 Feb 9]. Available from: https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/diabetes-type-2/
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Type 2 diabetes in adults: management. Overview [Internet]. London: NICE; [cited 2025 Feb 9]. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng28
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Choosing medicines for first-line and further treatment [Internet]. London: NICE; [cited 2025 Feb 9]. Available from: visual-summary-full-version-choosing-medicines-for-firstline-and-further-treatment-pdf-10956472093.pdf
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Diabetes in pregnancy. Quality standards [Internet]. London: NICE; [cited 2025 Feb 9]. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs109
- Diabetes UK. What is diabetes? Getting to know the basics [Internet]. London: Diabetes UK; [cited 2025 Feb 9]. Available from: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-diabetes#:~:text=Diabetes is a serious condition,produce any insulin at all.
- Diabetes UK. Maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) [Internet]. London: Diabetes UK; [cited 2025 Feb 9]. Available from: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-diabetes/other-types-of-diabetes/mody?gad_source=1
- DrugBank Online. Linagliptin (DB13928) [Internet]. Edmonton, AB: DrugBank; [cited 2025 Feb 9]. Available from: https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB13928