**Understanding diabetes: causes, types and treatment**

            Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects the way the body converts food into energy. This happens when the body cannot produce enough insulin or use it effectively, resulting in high blood glucose (sugar) levels. Understanding diabetes is crucial because of its widespread impact and potential complications if left uncontrolled.

            ### Types of diabetes

            There are three main types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes.

            ####Type 1 diabetes

            Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This type usually appears in children and young adults, although it can develop at any age. People with type 1 diabetes require lifelong insulin therapy.

            #### Type 2 diabetes

            Type 2 diabetes is the most common form, accounting for approximately 90-95% of diabetes cases. This happens when the body becomes resistant to insulin or the pancreas does not produce enough insulin. Type 2 diabetes is often related to lifestyle factors such as obesity, physical inactivity and poor diet. It usually develops in adults, but an increasing number of children and teenagers are diagnosed due to rising obesity rates.

            #### Gestational diabetes

            Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and usually disappears after delivery. However, this increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future for both mother and child. It is diagnosed through screening tests during pregnancy.

            ### Symptoms and diagnosis.

            Common symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme hunger, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, and slow-healing wounds. However, type 2 diabetes can develop gradually and symptoms may be mild or absent, so it is important for people at risk to have regular checkups.

            Diagnosis is usually made through blood tests, such as the fasting blood glucose test, the oral glucose tolerance test, and the A1C test, which measures average blood sugar levels over the past three months.

            ### Causes and risk factors.

            Although the exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown, genetic and environmental factors are thought to play a role. A combination of genetic predispositions and lifestyle factors are involved in type 2 diabetes. The main risk factors for type 2 diabetes include:

            - Obesity

            - Physical inactivity

            - A bad diet

            - Age (risk increases with age)

            - Family history of diabetes.

            - Ethnic origin (higher prevalence in certain ethnic groups)

            Risk factors for gestational diabetes include:

            - Obesity

            - Family history of diabetes.

            - History of gestational diabetes.

            - Age (older mothers are at greater risk)

            ### Complications

            If not controlled effectively, diabetes can lead to a variety of complications, including:

            - Heart disease

            - Nerve damage (neuropathy)

            - Kidney damage (nephropathy)

            - Eye damage (retinopathy)

            - Foot problems that can lead to amputation

            - Skin diseases

            - Increased risk of infections

            ### Management and processing

            Managing diabetes involves a combination of lifestyle changes, blood sugar control, and medications.

            #### Lifestyle changes

            - **Diet:** Emphasize whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and healthy fats, while limiting sugar and refined carbohydrates.

            - **Exercise:** Regular physical activity helps control blood sugar levels and maintain a healthy weight.

            - **Weight control:** Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight can significantly improve blood sugar control.

            #### Supervision

            Regular blood sugar monitoring helps people with diabetes make informed decisions about diet, exercise, and medications. Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and traditional glucose monitors are common tools.