Diabetes is a chronic disease that can affect children, young people, and adults of any age. It is not a transmissible disease and occurs due to the pancreas malfunctioning, where it cannot produce enough insulin or simply when the body cannot use insulin as it should. Insulin is the hormone responsible for controlling and regulating glucose present in the blood, which is used as the body’s energy source. When poorly controlled and at high levels, it causes significant alterations in how the body functions, affecting the kidneys, heart, arteries, eyes, and nerves throughout the body. If not controlled in time, it can lead to death.
Types of Diabetes
Even though it is a disease caused by the pancreas malfunctioning, it can present itself in different ways and symptoms. This divides it into different types and forms of treatment: type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, latent autoimmune diabetes in adults, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes
Even with various studies on diabetes, the definitive cause has not yet been found. What is known is that poor habits in daily routine, diet, and lifestyle can lead to diabetes occurring. As it is a chronic and also hereditary disease, some care can be taken at least to prevent it from happening or to reduce the chances of it happening so soon. Taking care with a healthier diet, avoiding alcohol and tobacco consumption and other drugs, and engaging in regular physical activity help keep the disease away from those predisposed to developing it. This type of diabetes is very common in children and teenagers, but it can also occur only in adulthood, so care throughout life is necessary to reduce the chances of it happening. The best way to monitor health is to perform regular routine tests to control glucose. After diagnosis, a patient with type 1 diabetes needs to inject insulin daily to regulate glucose levels in the blood and live a normal life, as well as follow a new routine that includes a different diet, physical exercise, and glucose monitoring through a diabetes device called a glucometer. 
Type 2 Diabetes
The main cause of type 2 diabetes is being overweight, poor diet, lack of physical activity, and an unhealthy lifestyle overall, which is why it is the most common type among diabetes patients. This type is more common in adults, but it can also occur in children who have an imbalanced routine and suffer from obesity. Normally, treatment is done through habit changes, physical exercise, and a balanced diet to control glucose. Only in extreme cases is insulin or other medication used to aid control, in addition to, of course, using the glucometer.
Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA)
A rarer type of diabetes is latent autoimmune diabetes in adults, which occurs when type 2 diabetes worsens. The worsening can happen due to lack of care and improper treatment after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, developing an autoimmune process in which the body starts attacking and destroying the pancreatic cells, offering significant health risks to the patient.
Gestational Diabetes
Among the issues that can occur during pregnancy, gestational diabetes tops the list. During prenatal care, tests are ordered to monitor health during pregnancy, including the
Other Types of Diabetes
We listed above the main and most common types of diabetes, but there are others considered rarer and considered to be mainly caused by genetic defects, associated conditions, or even the use of some substances or medications.
- Diabetes related to the presence of diseases in the exocrine pancreas, such as: cystic fibrosis, pancreatitis, neoplasms, hemochromatosis;
- Diabetes due to genetic alterations in beta-cell function;
- Diabetes due to genetic alterations in insulin action;
- Diabetes due to changes caused by drug use, certain medications, and chemical products.
Does Diabetes Cause Infertility?
Since it is a disease that can affect patients from childhood, it is very common to hear these types of questions. After all, if diabetes causes infertility, is there any way to prevent it? Diabetes can indeed affect fertility in both men and women. In men, diabetes can cause sexual impotence, leading to an inability to maintain an erection and also affecting the production and quality of sperm. Studies indicate that these factors occur due to several endocrinological, vascular, neurological, and psychological changes that the patient experiences with diabetes. In women, diabetes can cause changes in the menstrual cycle, thus making it harder to become pregnant. Endocrine imbalance can also increase the risk of miscarriage and even the occurrence of early menopause, which completely ends the woman’s reproductive life. However, these are potential outcomes for patients with untreated diabetes.
How to Prevent Infertility in Diabetics?
The best way to prevent infertility for diabetic patients is to undergo proper treatment and follow all medical advice. Through a balanced and healthy diet, physical activity, and the use of medications prescribed by a specialist, it is possible to keep the disease under control and maintain blood glucose levels as expected. If you are trying to get pregnant, speak with your gynecologist and make sure to follow up properly. Blood tests and ultrasound will be requested to evaluate your reproductive health, but even if it is taking time, remember that for all women, even those without diabetes, it is normal for it to take up to 1 year to achieve pregnancy. After one year of trying, more detailed exams can be ordered by the doctor. Usually after this period, men are also asked to undergo some tests to assess fertility and identify if there is any factor preventing natural conception. With the results, it’s possible to identify a cause and treat it if possible, or else recommend other methods such as artificial insemination. Important Tip: Vitamins and minerals are 100% essential for couples trying to get pregnant. That’s why we recommend taking multivitamins, which will increase your chances of getting pregnant with a healthy and prepared body. Learn more about Famivita vitamins. Also read: Semen Test – Diagnosing Male Fertility at Home Photo: Image type
