Diabetes Mellitus
What is Diabetes Mellitus?
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition that affects how your body regulates blood sugar. When you eat, your body breaks down food into glucose, a type of sugar that fuels your cells. A hormone called insulin acts like a key, unlocking your cells so glucose can enter and provide energy.
In diabetes, this system breaks down. Your body either stops making enough insulin or your cells stop responding to insulin properly. This causes glucose to build up in your bloodstream instead of entering your cells. Over time, high blood sugar can damage your blood vessels, nerves, kidneys, eyes, and heart.
There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when your immune system attacks the cells that make insulin. Type 2 diabetes happens when your cells become resistant to insulin, usually due to lifestyle factors like excess weight and inactivity. Type 2 accounts for about 90 to 95 percent of all diabetes cases.
Symptoms
- Increased thirst and frequent urination
- Extreme hunger even after eating
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue and weakness
- Blurred vision
- Slow healing cuts and bruises
- Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
- Frequent infections, especially skin or gum infections
- Darkened skin patches, often in armpits or neck
Many people with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms for years. The condition develops gradually, making regular blood sugar testing essential for early detection.
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Causes and risk factors
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction where your body mistakenly attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Genetics and certain viral infections may trigger this response. Type 2 diabetes develops when your cells stop responding properly to insulin, a problem called insulin resistance. Your pancreas tries to compensate by making more insulin, but eventually it cannot keep up.
Major risk factors for type 2 diabetes include being overweight or obese, physical inactivity, age over 45, family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, and history of gestational diabetes. Certain ethnic groups, including African American, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian American populations, face higher risk. Diet patterns high in processed foods, added sugars, and refined carbohydrates increase your likelihood of developing insulin resistance.
How it's diagnosed
Diabetes is diagnosed through blood tests that measure glucose levels. A fasting glucose test measures blood sugar after you have not eaten for at least 8 hours. A reading of 126 mg/dL or higher on two separate tests indicates diabetes. An A1C test, also called estimated average glucose or eAG, shows your average blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months. An A1C of 6.5 percent or higher confirms diabetes.
Rite Aid offers glucose and eAG testing as an add-on to help you monitor your blood sugar levels. Regular testing allows you to catch problems early and track how lifestyle changes affect your glucose control. Early detection gives you the best chance to prevent complications through diet, exercise, and medication when needed.
Treatment options
- Follow a balanced diet focused on whole foods, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats
- Limit refined carbohydrates, added sugars, and processed foods
- Exercise regularly, aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week
- Lose excess weight if needed, even 5 to 10 percent of body weight can improve blood sugar
- Monitor blood sugar levels regularly to track progress
- Take medications as prescribed, which may include metformin, insulin, or other diabetes drugs
- Manage stress through meditation, yoga, or other relaxation techniques
- Get adequate sleep, aiming for 7 to 9 hours per night
- Quit smoking, as it increases complications
- Work with a healthcare provider to create a personalized treatment plan
Need testing for Diabetes Mellitus? Add it to your panel.
- Simple blood draw at your nearest lab
- Results in days, not weeks
- Share results with your doctor
Frequently asked questions
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where your body stops making insulin, usually starting in childhood or young adulthood. Type 2 diabetes develops when your cells become resistant to insulin, typically due to lifestyle factors like excess weight and inactivity. Type 2 is far more common, accounting for about 90 to 95 percent of all diabetes cases.
Type 1 diabetes cannot be cured because your pancreas has permanently lost the ability to make insulin. Type 2 diabetes can sometimes be put into remission through significant lifestyle changes, including weight loss, diet changes, and regular exercise. However, even in remission, you need ongoing monitoring because blood sugar can rise again over time.
A fasting blood sugar of 126 mg/dL or higher on two separate tests indicates diabetes. An A1C level of 6.5 percent or higher also confirms diabetes. If your fasting glucose is between 100 and 125 mg/dL, you have prediabetes, which means you are at high risk for developing diabetes.
Testing frequency depends on your treatment plan and how well controlled your diabetes is. People taking insulin may need to test several times daily. Those managing diabetes with lifestyle changes or oral medications might test less often. Your healthcare provider will recommend a testing schedule based on your individual needs.
Limit or avoid foods that spike blood sugar quickly, including sugary drinks, candy, white bread, white rice, and pastries. Processed foods high in refined carbohydrates and added sugars can make blood sugar control difficult. Focus instead on whole foods like vegetables, lean proteins, nuts, seeds, and high-fiber whole grains.
Yes, exercise is one of the most effective ways to improve blood sugar control. Physical activity helps your cells use insulin more effectively and allows glucose to enter cells without needing as much insulin. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling.
The A1C test measures your average blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months by checking how much glucose has attached to your red blood cells. It provides a broader picture than daily glucose tests, which only show a snapshot in time. A1C helps you and your doctor understand how well your diabetes management plan is working.
High blood sugar over years can damage blood vessels and nerves throughout your body. Common complications include heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, vision loss, nerve damage in feet and hands, and poor wound healing that can lead to amputations. Regular testing and good blood sugar control can prevent or delay these complications.
Genetics play a role in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, but they are not the whole story. If you have a family history of diabetes, you face higher risk but not a guarantee you will develop it. Lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, and weight management strongly influence whether you develop type 2 diabetes.
Yes, stress triggers the release of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline that can raise blood sugar levels. Chronic stress makes diabetes harder to control and may contribute to insulin resistance. Managing stress through relaxation techniques, adequate sleep, and regular exercise can help improve your blood sugar control.