Diabetes occurs when your blood sugar levels, which fuel your body's energy, become too high. There are two main types:


Type 1 Diabetes: Your body doesn’t produce enough insulin. Often diagnosed in children and young adults, but it can develop at any age. Daily insulin injections are essential.


Type 2 Diabetes: The most common type, where your body either doesn't use insulin properly or doesn't produce enough. Risk factors include being overweight, obese, or having a family history of diabetes.

Early Warning Signs of Diabetes


Both types of diabetes share common symptoms:

Increased Hunger: Without enough insulin, glucose can't enter your cells, leaving you feeling hungrier.

Fatigue: Low insulin and glucose levels can cause unusual tiredness.

Frequent Urination: High blood sugar forces your kidneys to work harder, leading to more frequent bathroom trips and more urine.

Excessive Thirst: More urination means more thirst as your body loses fluids.

Dry Mouth: Fluid loss can lead to dehydration, making your mouth feel dry.
Itchy, Dry Skin: Similar fluid loss can cause your skin to become dry and itchy.

Blurred Vision: Fluctuating fluid levels can cause your eye lenses to swell, affecting focus.

Unexpected Weight Loss: Without energy from glucose, your body starts burning muscle and fat, leading to weight loss even without changes in diet.

Recognizing Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes often has no noticeable symptoms, but you might experience increased thirst, frequent urination, dry mouth, or fatigue.

Screening usually occurs between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy, but if you're at higher risk due to being overweight, family history, or previous occurrences, your doctor might test you earlier. The screening involves drinking a sugary solution and having your blood sugar tested an hour later. If results are high, a follow-up test with a stronger solution and hourly blood tests over three hours will be conducted.