Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar. Hyperglycaemia, or raised blood sugar, is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and over time leads to serious damage to many of the body's systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels. [1-3]

Diabetes can be categorized into several types including type 1 (T1DM), type 2 (T2DM), gestational diabetes (GDM), and prediabetes. T2DM is the most common form of diabetes mellitus, accounting for more than 90% of all cases of adult-onset diabetes mellitus in Malaysia.

Type 1 diabetes (T1DM)

Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction that stops your body to produce enough insulin. It accounts for at least 10% of all cases of diabetes and it usually occurs in children and young adults. The root cause of type 1 diabetes is because your immune systems attacks and destroys the cells in your pancreas that make insulin. For people who have type 1 diabetes, you’ll need to take insulin every day to survive. [1-3]

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM)

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. Your body does not make or use insulin well if you are having type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can be developed at any age and accounts for at least 90% of all cases of diabetes. This type of diabetes occurs most often in adults and elderlies. The root cause of type 1 diabetes is because your immune system attacks and destroys the cells in your pancreas that make insulin. [1-3]

Gestational Diabetes (GDM)

Gestational diabetes is a temporary type of diabetes that develops in pregnant women who have never had diabetes. It occurs in about 4% of all pregnancies and usually goes away after childbirth. Gestational diabetes leads your baby to a higher risk for health problems or more likely to have obesity issues as a child or teen. There is a higher chance to develop type 2 diabetes in mother and baby in later life. [1-3]

Prediabetes

With prediabetes, a person’s blood sugars are higher than normal people's but not high enough for that person to be diagnosed with diabetes. Prediabetes usually does not cause symptoms and is characterized by elevated plasma glucose levels that fall below the threshold to diagnose diabetes. Prediabetes is an important risk factor for future diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is a potentially reversible condition with lifestyle modification. [1-3] Diabetes often occurs asymptomatic, especially in the early stages.

References:

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. What is diabetes, reviewed: June 11, 2020. Source: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/diabetes.html

[2] World Health Organisation. Diabetes, reviewed: 13 June 2021. Source: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes

[3] Clinical practice guidelines management of type 2 diabetes mellitus 6th edition. December 2020. MOH/P/PAK/447.20(GU)-e

[4] Myhealth Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia. Diabetes, reviewed: 28 April 2008. Source: http://www.myhealth.gov.my/diabetes-mellitus-3/