Why are people diagnosed with diabetes

A rare condition called diabetes insipidus is not related to diabetes mellitus, although it has a similar name. Each type of diabetes has unique symptoms, causes, and treatments.

Learn more about how these types differ from one another. In addition to the general symptoms of diabetes, men with diabetes may have a decreased sex drive , erectile dysfunction ED , and poor muscle strength.

Women with diabetes can also have symptoms such as urinary tract infections , yeast infections , and dry, itchy skin. It may also cause recurring infections. This is because elevated glucose levels make it harder for the body to heal. The condition is often detected during a routine blood sugar test or oral glucose tolerance test that is usually performed between the 24th and 28th weeks of gestation.

In rare cases, a woman with gestational diabetes will also experience increased thirst or urination. Learn which signs should prompt a trip to the doctor. For some reason, the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Genes may play a role in some people. Type 2 diabetes stems from a combination of genetics and lifestyle factors. Being overweight or obese increases your risk too. Carrying extra weight, especially in your belly , makes your cells more resistant to the effects of insulin on your blood sugar.

This condition runs in families. Family members share genes that make them more likely to get type 2 diabetes and to be overweight. Gestational diabetes is the result of hormonal changes during pregnancy. This can cause high blood sugar during pregnancy.

Women who are overweight when they get pregnant or who gain too much weight during their pregnancy are more likely to get gestational diabetes. Both genes and environmental factors play a role in triggering diabetes. Get more information here on the causes of diabetes. Your family, environment, and preexisting medical conditions can all affect your odds of developing diabetes.

High blood sugar damages organs and tissues throughout your body. The higher your blood sugar is and the longer you live with it, the greater your risk for complications.

Uncontrolled gestational diabetes can lead to problems that affect both the mother and baby. Complications affecting the baby can include:. The mother can develop complications such as high blood pressure preeclampsia or type 2 diabetes. She may also require cesarean delivery , commonly referred to as a C-section. Diabetes can lead to serious medical complications, but you can manage the condition with medications and lifestyle changes.

Avoid the most common diabetes complications with these helpful tips. Doctors treat diabetes with a few different medications. Some of these drugs are taken by mouth , while others are available as injections.

Insulin is the main treatment for type 1 diabetes. Dept of Health and Human Services; Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate.

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Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. Insulin Family history Pregnancy Age Obesity Poor diet Lack of exercise Hormonal conditions Diabetes risk factors Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs because the body is unable to use blood sugar glucose properly.

Genes and family history. Gestational diabetes. Poor diet. Lack of exercise. Hormonal conditions. Read this next. Diabetes: Facts, Statistics, and You. Medically reviewed by Michelle L. Griffith, MD. What Are the Different Types of Diabetes? Diabetes was the seventh leading cause of death in the United States in based on the 83, death certificates in which diabetes was listed as the underlying cause of death.

In , diabetes was mentioned as a cause of death in a total of , certificates. Diabetes may be underreported as a cause of death.