Community
Diabetes Community
Blood glucose logging, insulin and medication tracking, and support for people living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider about your specific condition and treatment.
When to seek help
Seek emergency care for very high blood sugar with vomiting, fruity-smelling breath, or confusion (diabetic ketoacidosis), or for very low blood sugar that does not improve with fast-acting sugar.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, contact your local emergency services immediately.
Overview
Diabetes is a condition where your blood sugar (glucose) is too high. In type 1, the body stops making insulin. In type 2, the body cannot use insulin well. Insulin is the hormone that moves sugar from your blood into your cells for energy.
Prevalence
Over 500 million adults worldwide live with diabetes (type 1 and type 2).
Symptoms
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Unexplained weight loss (more common in type 1)
- Blurred vision and fatigue
Causes
Diabetes happens when the body cannot make enough insulin or cannot use it well. Type 1 is an autoimmune disease where the body destroys its own insulin-making cells. Type 2 is linked to genetics, weight, and inactivity.
Types
- Type 1 - autoimmune, requires insulin
- Type 2 - most common; the body does not use insulin well
- Gestational - develops during pregnancy
- LADA - a slow-onset form of type 1 in adults
Diagnosis
Diagnosed with blood tests: fasting glucose, HbA1c, or an oral glucose tolerance test. HbA1c measures your average blood sugar over about three months.
Treatment
Type 1 diabetes always requires insulin. Type 2 is managed with lifestyle changes, oral medications such as metformin, and sometimes insulin. Monitoring blood glucose is key to both.
Living with it
- Monitor your blood glucose as directed
- Eat a balanced diet and watch carbohydrates
- Stay active - exercise helps lower blood sugar
- Take medications and insulin as prescribed
- Get regular eye, kidney, and foot checkups
Complications
- Heart disease and stroke
- Kidney disease (nephropathy)
- Nerve damage (neuropathy)
- Eye damage (retinopathy)
- Foot problems that can lead to amputation
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal HbA1c?
Below 5.7% is generally normal. For many people with diabetes, the goal is below 7%, but your target is individual - ask your doctor.
Can type 2 diabetes be reversed?
It can often be put into remission with significant weight loss and lifestyle change, but it can return. It is best managed long-term.
What is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A dangerous buildup of acids in the blood when the body lacks insulin. It is a medical emergency.
Join the Diabetes Community community
Talk with people who understand, share what helps, and find support from others living with diabetes community. Private, moderated, and free.
Posts in this community reflect personal experiences, not medical advice. Always talk to your doctor before changing your treatment.