January 26, 2024

An in-depth look at diabetes

Diabetes, a complex condition that affects the body's ability to regulate blood sugar levels, has developed into a global health problem in recent decades. The condition affects the lives of millions of people and is linked to serious health complications, including heart disease, kidney failure, blindness and amputations. In this blog, we dive deeper into the world of diabetes, discussing the different types, causes, symptoms and treatment options.

5 min
Types of diabetes

Diabetes can be divided into several types, the two most common being:

  • Type 1 Diabetes (T1D): This is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. People with T1D need lifelong insulin injections to survive.
  • Type 2 Diabetes (T2D): This is the most common form of diabetes and is characterized by insulin resistance, in which cells do not respond to insulin as they should. This form is often associated with lifestyle factors, such as obesity and lack of exercise.

Causes and risk factors

The exact causes of diabetes are not yet fully understood, but several risk factors have been identified. For T1D, genetic predisposition is a major factor, while T2D is associated with obesity, an unhealthy diet and a sedentary lifestyle. Other risk factors include age, ethnicity and a history of gestational diabetes.

Symptoms and diagnosis

Diabetes can start insidiously, and many people do not notice symptoms until the condition is well advanced. Common symptoms include excessive thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, weight loss, blurred vision and slow wound healing. A doctor can diagnose diabetes by measuring blood glucose levels. For T2D, a glucose tolerance test is often performed.

Complications of diabetes

Unmanaged diabetes can lead to a range of serious complications. Prolonged elevated blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels, nerves and organs. Some of the possible complications include:

  • Cardiovascular disease: Diabetes doubles the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
  • Kidney disease: Diabetes is a major cause of kidney failure.
  • Retinal problems: Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults.
  • Neuropathy: Damage to nerves can cause numbness and pain in the limbs.
  • Amputations: Poor circulation and nerve damage can lead to wounds and infections that require amputation.

Treatment and management

The treatment of diabetes focuses on maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. For T1D patients, this includes lifelong insulin management. People with T2D can often manage their condition through diet, exercise and medication, and in some cases insulin is required. Both education about diet and physical activity play a crucial role in diabetes self-care.

Prevention and future prospects

The good news is that diabetes can be partially prevented and controlled through healthy lifestyle choices. Regular exercise, a balanced diet and weight control can significantly reduce the risk of T2D. New treatments, including gene therapy and artificial pancreases, are also being actively researched.

Go for a healthy lifestyle

Diabetes is a global health crisis with devastating consequences for individuals and societies. While much remains to be discovered about the exact causes and treatments, education and awareness of the condition offers an important step toward prevention and control. It is critical that we take the impact of diabetes seriously and strive to live a healthy lifestyle. Together, we can meet the challenge of diabetes and strive toward a healthy future.

Medical weight loss with Vi Lifestyle

A revolutionary weight loss program where you will lose weight through a combination of injections, which inhibit hunger pangs, and coaching!

What is medical weight loss?

Overweight and obesity are a serious problem in today's society, with which as many as 50% of the Dutch struggle. Slimming down is a challenging task and maintaining a healthy weight is often even more difficult. To help people in this challenge, we have created an innovative weight loss program. In our program, you have the opportunity to lose weight through injections that suppress the feeling of hunger and provide a sense of satiety. Moreover, during this program you will be medically supervised by both a doctor and a nutritionist!

Schedule a consultation for more information
+
Doctors with more than 30 years of experience
+
All online
+
Medical partner affiliated with
+
Personal contact with a physician
+
Regulated consultations with nutrition coach
+
Injections are conveniently delivered to your home
+
Re-ordering of injections possible
+
Save €125 by nominating someone