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Diabetes Guide for Patients - Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and Daily Care
Corresponding Author(s) : Prabha Bhandari, MD
The American Journal of Patient Health Info,
Vol. 2 No. 4 (2025)
Abstract
- Diabetes is a long-term condition in which the body cannot maintain safe blood sugar levels due to insufficient insulin production or improper insulin use.
- Symptoms may go unnoticed at first but can include thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, tiredness, slow-healing wounds, and blurred vision.
- Family history, being overweight, little or no exercise, and eating unhealthy foods can raise the risk of diabetes.
- Regularly checking your blood glucose helps you understand how food, activity, and medications affect your body and allows your healthcare team to adjust your treatment plan.
- Diabetes is treated with pills or insulin when needed, but a healthy lifestyle always comes first.
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- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases [Internet]. [cited 2025 Jun 15]. Diabetes - NIDDK. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes
- CDC. Diabetes. 2024 [cited 2025 Jun 15]. National Diabetes Statistics Report. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/php/data-research/index.html
- American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee, ElSayed NA, McCoy RG, Aleppo G, Balapattabi K, Beverly EA, et al. 2. Diagnosis and Classification of Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2025. Diabetes Care [Internet]. 2025 Jan 1 [cited 2025 Jun 15];48(Supplement_1):S27–49. Available from: https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/48/Supplement_1/S27/157566/2-Diagnosis-and-Classification-of-Diabetes
- Bellou V, Belbasis L, Tzoulaki I, Evangelou E. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus: An exposure-wide umbrella review of meta-analyses. Nerurkar PV, editor. PLOS ONE [Internet]. 2018 Mar 20 [cited 2025 Jun 15];13(3):e0194127. Available from: https://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0194127
- American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee, ElSayed NA, McCoy RG, Aleppo G, Balapattabi K, Beverly EA, et al. 3. Prevention or Delay of Diabetes and Associated Comorbidities: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2025. Diabetes Care [Internet]. 2025 Jan 1 [cited 2025 Jun 15];48(Supplement_1):S50–8. Available from: https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/48/Supplement_1/S50/157550/3-Prevention-or-Delay-of-Diabetes-and-Associated
- Type 2 diabetes: MedlinePlus Genetics [Internet]. [cited 2025 Jun 15]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/type-2-diabetes/
- American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee, ElSayed NA, McCoy RG, Aleppo G, Balapattabi K, Beverly EA, et al. 2. Diagnosis and Classification of Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2025. Diabetes Care [Internet]. 2025 Jan 1 [cited 2025 Jun 15];48(Supplement_1):S27–49. Available from: https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/48/Supplement_1/S27/157566/2-Diagnosis-and-Classification-of-Diabetes
- Weinberg Sibony R, Segev O, Dor S, Raz I. Drug Therapies for Diabetes. Int J Mol Sci [Internet]. 2023 Dec 5 [cited 2025 Jun 15];24(24):17147. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/24/17147
- American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee, ElSayed NA, McCoy RG, Aleppo G, Balapattabi K, Beverly EA, et al. 8. Obesity and Weight Management for the Prevention and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes–2025. Diabetes Care [Internet]. 2025 Jan 1 [cited 2025 Jun 15];48(Supplement_1):S167–80. Available from: https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/48/Supplement_1/S167/157555/8-Obesity-and-Weight-Management-for-the-Prevention
- Smetana GW, Nathan DM, Dugdale DC, Burns RB. To What Target Hemoglobin A1c Level Would You Treat This Patient With Type 2 Diabetes?: Grand Rounds Discussion From Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Ann Intern Med [Internet]. 2019 Oct 1 [cited 2025 Jun 15];171(7):505–13. Available from: https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M19-0946
- Samson SL, Vellanki P, Blonde L, Christofides EA, Galindo RJ, Hirsch IB, et al. American Association of Clinical Endocrinology Consensus Statement: Comprehensive Type 2 Diabetes Management Algorithm – 2023 Update. Endocr Pract [Internet]. 2023 May [cited 2025 Jun 15];29(5):305–40. Available from: https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1530891X23000344
- American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee, ElSayed NA, McCoy RG, Aleppo G, Balapattabi K, Beverly EA, et al. 13. Older Adults: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2025. Diabetes Care [Internet]. 2025 Jan 1 [cited 2025 Jun 15];48(Supplement_1):S266–82. Available from: https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/48/Supplement_1/S266/157556/13-Older-Adults-Standards-of-Care-in-Diabetes-2025
- Patel R, Sina RE, Keyes D. Lifestyle Modification for Diabetes and Heart Disease Prevention. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 [cited 2025 Jun 15]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585052/
- Blonde L, Umpierrez GE, Reddy SS, McGill JB, Berga SL, Bush M, et al. American Association of Clinical Endocrinology Clinical Practice Guideline: Developing a Diabetes Mellitus Comprehensive Care Plan—2022 Update. Endocr Pract [Internet]. 2022 Oct [cited 2025 Jun 15];28(10):923–1049. Available from: https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1530891X22005766
- American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee, ElSayed NA, McCoy RG, Aleppo G, Balapattabi K, Beverly EA, et al. 12. Retinopathy, Neuropathy, and Foot Care: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2025. Diabetes Care [Internet]. 2025 Jan 1 [cited 2025 Jun 15];48(Supplement_1):S252–65. Available from: https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/48/Supplement_1/S252/157552/12-Retinopathy-Neuropathy-and-Foot-Care-Standards
- Amiel SA. The consequences of hypoglycaemia. Diabetologia [Internet]. 2021 May [cited 2025 Jun 15];64(5):963–70. Available from: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s00125-020-05366-3
- American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee, ElSayed NA, McCoy RG, Aleppo G, Balapattabi K, Beverly EA, et al. 6. Glycemic Goals and Hypoglycemia: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2025. Diabetes Care [Internet]. 2025 Jan 1 [cited 2025 Jun 15];48(Supplement_1):S128–45. Available from: https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/48/Supplement_1/S128/157561/6-Glycemic-Goals-and-Hypoglycemia-Standards-of
- Insulin Pumps: Relief and Choice | ADA [Internet]. [cited 2025 Jun 15]. Available from: https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/devices-technology/insulin-pumps-relief-and-choice
References
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases [Internet]. [cited 2025 Jun 15]. Diabetes - NIDDK. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes
CDC. Diabetes. 2024 [cited 2025 Jun 15]. National Diabetes Statistics Report. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/php/data-research/index.html
American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee, ElSayed NA, McCoy RG, Aleppo G, Balapattabi K, Beverly EA, et al. 2. Diagnosis and Classification of Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2025. Diabetes Care [Internet]. 2025 Jan 1 [cited 2025 Jun 15];48(Supplement_1):S27–49. Available from: https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/48/Supplement_1/S27/157566/2-Diagnosis-and-Classification-of-Diabetes
Bellou V, Belbasis L, Tzoulaki I, Evangelou E. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus: An exposure-wide umbrella review of meta-analyses. Nerurkar PV, editor. PLOS ONE [Internet]. 2018 Mar 20 [cited 2025 Jun 15];13(3):e0194127. Available from: https://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0194127
American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee, ElSayed NA, McCoy RG, Aleppo G, Balapattabi K, Beverly EA, et al. 3. Prevention or Delay of Diabetes and Associated Comorbidities: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2025. Diabetes Care [Internet]. 2025 Jan 1 [cited 2025 Jun 15];48(Supplement_1):S50–8. Available from: https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/48/Supplement_1/S50/157550/3-Prevention-or-Delay-of-Diabetes-and-Associated
Type 2 diabetes: MedlinePlus Genetics [Internet]. [cited 2025 Jun 15]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/type-2-diabetes/
American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee, ElSayed NA, McCoy RG, Aleppo G, Balapattabi K, Beverly EA, et al. 2. Diagnosis and Classification of Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2025. Diabetes Care [Internet]. 2025 Jan 1 [cited 2025 Jun 15];48(Supplement_1):S27–49. Available from: https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/48/Supplement_1/S27/157566/2-Diagnosis-and-Classification-of-Diabetes
Weinberg Sibony R, Segev O, Dor S, Raz I. Drug Therapies for Diabetes. Int J Mol Sci [Internet]. 2023 Dec 5 [cited 2025 Jun 15];24(24):17147. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/24/17147
American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee, ElSayed NA, McCoy RG, Aleppo G, Balapattabi K, Beverly EA, et al. 8. Obesity and Weight Management for the Prevention and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes: Standards of Care in Diabetes–2025. Diabetes Care [Internet]. 2025 Jan 1 [cited 2025 Jun 15];48(Supplement_1):S167–80. Available from: https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/48/Supplement_1/S167/157555/8-Obesity-and-Weight-Management-for-the-Prevention
Smetana GW, Nathan DM, Dugdale DC, Burns RB. To What Target Hemoglobin A1c Level Would You Treat This Patient With Type 2 Diabetes?: Grand Rounds Discussion From Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Ann Intern Med [Internet]. 2019 Oct 1 [cited 2025 Jun 15];171(7):505–13. Available from: https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M19-0946
Samson SL, Vellanki P, Blonde L, Christofides EA, Galindo RJ, Hirsch IB, et al. American Association of Clinical Endocrinology Consensus Statement: Comprehensive Type 2 Diabetes Management Algorithm – 2023 Update. Endocr Pract [Internet]. 2023 May [cited 2025 Jun 15];29(5):305–40. Available from: https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1530891X23000344
American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee, ElSayed NA, McCoy RG, Aleppo G, Balapattabi K, Beverly EA, et al. 13. Older Adults: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2025. Diabetes Care [Internet]. 2025 Jan 1 [cited 2025 Jun 15];48(Supplement_1):S266–82. Available from: https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/48/Supplement_1/S266/157556/13-Older-Adults-Standards-of-Care-in-Diabetes-2025
Patel R, Sina RE, Keyes D. Lifestyle Modification for Diabetes and Heart Disease Prevention. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 [cited 2025 Jun 15]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585052/
Blonde L, Umpierrez GE, Reddy SS, McGill JB, Berga SL, Bush M, et al. American Association of Clinical Endocrinology Clinical Practice Guideline: Developing a Diabetes Mellitus Comprehensive Care Plan—2022 Update. Endocr Pract [Internet]. 2022 Oct [cited 2025 Jun 15];28(10):923–1049. Available from: https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1530891X22005766
American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee, ElSayed NA, McCoy RG, Aleppo G, Balapattabi K, Beverly EA, et al. 12. Retinopathy, Neuropathy, and Foot Care: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2025. Diabetes Care [Internet]. 2025 Jan 1 [cited 2025 Jun 15];48(Supplement_1):S252–65. Available from: https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/48/Supplement_1/S252/157552/12-Retinopathy-Neuropathy-and-Foot-Care-Standards
Amiel SA. The consequences of hypoglycaemia. Diabetologia [Internet]. 2021 May [cited 2025 Jun 15];64(5):963–70. Available from: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s00125-020-05366-3
American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee, ElSayed NA, McCoy RG, Aleppo G, Balapattabi K, Beverly EA, et al. 6. Glycemic Goals and Hypoglycemia: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2025. Diabetes Care [Internet]. 2025 Jan 1 [cited 2025 Jun 15];48(Supplement_1):S128–45. Available from: https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article/48/Supplement_1/S128/157561/6-Glycemic-Goals-and-Hypoglycemia-Standards-of
Insulin Pumps: Relief and Choice | ADA [Internet]. [cited 2025 Jun 15]. Available from: https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/devices-technology/insulin-pumps-relief-and-choice