Understanding Diabetes: What It Is, What It Does, and Why You Are Not Alone

lynoveandco
May 19
10 min read

Let's talk about something that over 500 million people around the world are living with right now, and yet is still surrounded by so much misunderstanding, shame, and silence. Diabetes. Whether you were diagnosed recently or have been navigating this condition for years, this post is for you. And if someone you love is living with it, this is for you too.

When I was first diagnosed, I was overwhelmed with a lot of frustration, "do's" and "don't"s, and uncertainty. Truthfully, unlike what I'd thought, that didn't necessarily get easier with time. This post is so that hopefully, we can lighten that feeling for you through education and support.

This is not a scary medical textbook. This is a warm, honest breakdown of what diabetes actually is, what it does to the body, what the different types look like, and how people manage it every single day. We are going to get into all of it, and we are going to do it together.

Awareness creates understanding. Understanding creates support. And support changes lives. You are not alone. 🤍

What Is Diabetes?

At its most basic, diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition where the body cannot properly use food for energy. When you eat, your body breaks carbohydrates down into glucose (sugar) and releases it into your bloodstream. Normally, a hormone called insulin, produced by the pancreas, acts like a key that unlocks your cells so glucose can enter and be used as fuel.

In diabetes, that system breaks down. Either the pancreas produces little to no insulin at all, or the body becomes resistant to it, or both. The result is glucose that stays in the bloodstream, building up to levels the body was never designed to handle for long.

Diagram explaining diabetes: healthy, Type 1, and Type 2 pancreas. Shows insulin production, glucose interaction, and effects on cells.

And here is the thing that often gets lost in these clinical explanations: this is not a lifestyle choice. It is not a personal failure. Diabetes is a complex, chronic medical condition with biological roots, and the people living with it deserve to be met with understanding, not judgment.

Recognizing the Symptoms

One of the most important things about diabetes is that its symptoms can sneak up on you. Some people feel them loudly and immediately. Others, especially with Type 2, may have no clear symptoms for a long time, which is exactly why regular screening matters so much.

Common symptoms across types include:

• Increased thirst that feels unquenchable

• Frequent urination, especially at night

• Unexplained weight loss

• Fatigue that does not go away with rest

• Blurry vision

• Slow-healing wounds or sores

• Recurring infections

• Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet

• Increased hunger even after eating

• Dizziness

If you or someone you love is experiencing several of these, please do not wait. Get checked. Early diagnosis changes outcomes in a very real way.

The Types of Diabetes

Not all diabetes is the same, and this is one of the most important things to understand. There are several distinct types, each with different causes, mechanisms, and management approaches. Grouping them all together is one of the biggest sources of misunderstanding that people with this condition face.

Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) -aka our focus and my diabetes

Type 1 is an autoimmune condition. The body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. No insulin is produced. Insulin from an external source becomes a lifelong necessity from the moment of diagnosis.

Type 1 is not caused by diet or lifestyle. It is not something anyone brought on themselves. The exact trigger is not fully understood, though genetic predisposition and possible environmental triggers (like certain viruses) are believed to play a role.

T1D can be diagnosed at any age, though it is most commonly identified in children, teenagers, and young adults. It affects people of every body size, background, and lifestyle. A person with T1D manages their blood sugar around the clock, every single day, making hundreds of small decisions that most people never have to think about.

We will go deeper into Type 1 in a moment, because it deserves its own real conversation.

Type 2 Diabetes (T2D)

Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes, accounting for roughly 90 to 95 percent of all cases worldwide. In T2D, the body becomes resistant to insulin or does not produce enough to maintain normal blood sugar levels. It typically develops gradually over time.

Contributing factors include genetic predisposition, age, hormonal changes, and in some cases lifestyle factors such as diet and physical inactivity. It is important to note that T2D is not simply caused by eating too much sugar. Genetics play a significant role, and many people with T2D live very active, health-conscious lives.

Management may include oral medications like metformin, lifestyle changes, and sometimes insulin.

Other Types of Diabetes

Just in case you're curious about what else is out there.

Prediabetes

Prediabetes is a state where blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be classified as Type 2 diabetes. It is considered a warning sign, and the good news is that with the right changes, many people are able to prevent or delay the progression to T2D.

Gestational Diabetes (GDM)

Gestational diabetes develops during pregnancy in people who did not previously have diabetes. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause insulin resistance, and when the body cannot compensate, blood sugar rises. It usually resolves after birth, but it does increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life for both parent and child.

MODY (Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young)

MODY is a rare, inherited form of diabetes caused by a mutation in a single gene. It tends to be diagnosed in adolescence or early adulthood and is often mistaken for Type 1 or Type 2. Because it is genetic in origin, it behaves differently and may require a different treatment approach entirely.

Secondary Diabetes

Secondary diabetes occurs as a result of another medical condition (such as pancreatitis or Cushing's syndrome) or a treatment like long-term steroid use.

LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults)

LADA is sometimes called Type 1.5. It is an autoimmune form of diabetes, like Type 1, but it progresses much more slowly and typically develops in adulthood. People with LADA are often initially misdiagnosed with Type 2. Over time, as the immune system continues to attack the beta cells, insulin becomes necessary.

Type 5

Type 5 is a recently recognized form linked to malnutrition and undernutrition, more prevalent in low-income regions, and still being studied.

Living with Type 1: The Full Picture

We want to take a real moment here to talk about Type 1 diabetes, because the reality of it goes so far beyond what most people see or understand.

A person living with Type 1 wakes up and immediately begins a mental calculation that never really stops. Before breakfast, there is a blood sugar check. A dose of insulin is calculated based on what they plan to eat, what they did yesterday, how much stress they are under, whether they slept well, where they are in their cycle if they menstruate, whether they have an infection, and dozens of other variables. Then they eat. Then they check again. This is not an exaggeration. This is Tuesday.

4 to 8 finger pricks a day. Basal insulin for background coverage. Bolus insulin for every meal and correction. A continuous stream of numbers, alarms, and decisions that never clock out.

What Raises Blood Sugar Beyond Sugar

One of the most misunderstood truths of Type 1 is that blood sugar is affected by far more than just food. Here are some things that can spike it:

• Stress and cortisol release

• Illness and infections

• Hormonal fluctuations

• Heavy or intense exercise (yes, exercise can raise it too)

• Not enough sleep or staying up too late

• The dawn phenomenon (a natural hormonal surge in the early morning hours)

• Not pre-bolusing (dosing insulin before a meal rather than after)

• Expired or improperly stored insulin

• Oversnacking, even on foods considered healthy

And this is exactly why it is so unfair to tell someone with diabetes that they just need to eat right. The body they are managing is not following a simple rulebook.

The Two Extremes: Hypo and Hyper

Graphic on a green background showing "The Two Extremes of Diabetes." Hypoglycemia (low sugar) and Hyperglycemia (high sugar) risk symptoms.

Managing diabetes means walking a line between two dangerous extremes, all day, every day.

Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)

Hypoglycemia occurs when blood glucose drops below 3.9 mmol/L (70 mg/dL). Symptoms include shakiness, sweating, confusion, heart pounding, and in severe cases, unconsciousness. It is treated with the 15-15 rule: 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates, recheck in 15 minutes, repeat if still low. Severe hypoglycemia requires glucagon and emergency care. Left untreated, it can cause brain damage or coma.

Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar)

Hyperglycemia is the opposite: blood sugar that climbs too high. Over time, chronically high blood sugar damages blood vessels and nerves throughout the body. In the short term, severe hyperglycemia in T1D can lead to Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening emergency where the body begins breaking down fat for fuel and produces toxic acids called ketones. Signs of DKA include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fruity-smelling breath, and rapid breathing. It requires urgent medical care.

Target Blood Glucose Levels

These are general reference ranges. Individual targets should always be set with a healthcare team:

When	mmol/L	mg/dL
Fasting	4.0 – 7.0	70 – 130
Post-Meal	< 8.5 – 10.0	< 153 – 180
Bedtime	6.0 – 10.0	90 – 144

What Diabetes Affects in the Body

When blood sugar runs consistently high over time, it does not just stay in the blood. It damages. Slowly, quietly, and sometimes irreversibly. This is why management is not just about feeling okay today. It is about protecting the body for the long haul.

Diabetes can affect:

• The heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and poor circulation

• The kidneys, leading to chronic kidney disease

• The eyes, causing diabetic retinopathy and potentially blindness

• The nerves, causing neuropathy with tingling, numbness, and pain, especially in the feet

• The feet, where poor circulation and nerve damage can lead to ulcers and, in severe cases, amputation

• The skin, making it more prone to infections

• The gums and teeth, increasing the risk of periodontal disease

• The brain, with links to increased risk of cognitive decline

• Mental health, with people with diabetes being up to three times more likely to experience depression and anxiety

This list can feel heavy. We know. But the other side of this truth is that with good management, regular checkups, and the right support, many of these complications can be significantly delayed or prevented altogether.

Treatment and Management

There is no cure for Type 1 diabetes yet. But there are tools, technologies, and strategies that make it manageable in ways that were unimaginable even a few decades ago.

Insulin: The Foundation of T1D Management

For Type 1, insulin is not optional. It is life-sustaining. There are two primary types that form the backbone of most insulin regimens:

• Basal insulin: a long-acting insulin taken once or twice daily to provide steady background coverage. This is non-negotiable.

• Bolus insulin: a rapid-acting insulin taken with meals and to correct high readings

Insulin can be delivered in several ways:

• Vials and syringes

• Insulin pens (reusable or disposable)

• Insulin pumps, which deliver continuous precise doses

• Inhalers (less common)

CGMs: Real-Time Awareness

A Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) is a small sensor worn on the body that tracks blood sugar in real time, sending readings to a phone or receiver every few minutes. For someone with T1D, a CGM can be genuinely life-saving. It alerts to dangerous drops before they become emergencies, catches nighttime lows, and helps identify patterns that would be impossible to see with finger pricks alone.

Medications for Type 2

For Type 2, management may include oral medications alongside lifestyle changes:

• Metformin: typically the first-line medication, helps the body use insulin more effectively

• GLP-1 receptor agonists (like Ozempic): support blood sugar control and weight management, and some have cardiovascular benefits

• SGLT2 inhibitors: help the kidneys remove excess glucose from the body

• Sulfonylureas, DPP-4 inhibitors, and others: each with different mechanisms and considerations

Lifestyle as Medicine

Nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress management all directly affect blood sugar. This does not mean anyone caused their diabetes through lifestyle, but it does mean that intentional daily choices become a real and powerful tool in managing it. Aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate movement per week, prioritizing whole foods and fiber-rich carbohydrates, managing stress, and protecting sleep are all genuinely meaningful.

Routine Health Checks

People living with diabetes are advised to monitor several markers regularly:

• HbA1c (every 3 to 6 months): reflects average blood sugar over roughly three months

• Blood pressure

• Cholesterol and lipid levels

• Kidney function (UACR and eGFR, at least annually)

• Eye exams (dilated eye exam at least annually)

• Foot exams

• Dental checkups

• Mental health screening

Busting the Myths

Before we close, let's name some of the things people say that are simply not true, because language and perception matter deeply to the people living with this condition.

• "Diabetes is caused by eating too much sugar." This is false. The causes of diabetes are far more complex and include genetic, autoimmune, and environmental factors.

• "Only overweight people get diabetes." False. People of every body size develop diabetes, particularly Type 1.

• "You don't look sick." Diabetes is invisible most of the time. Looking well does not mean someone is not managing something incredibly demanding.

• "Type 1 and Type 2 are the same." They are not. They have different causes, different mechanisms, and different treatment requirements.

• "You can outgrow diabetes." Type 1 is lifelong. There is currently no cure.

• "It's your fault you got diabetes." It is not. Not for Type 1, and not for Type 2 either.

• "Diabetes isn't that serious." It is one of the leading causes of death, blindness, amputation, and kidney failure worldwide.

The Mental and Emotional Weight

Managing diabetes is not just a physical experience. The mental toll is real and it is significant. People with diabetes are up to three times more likely to develop depression and anxiety compared to the general population. There is something called diabetes burnout, a state that comes from the relentless, never-ending nature of managing blood sugar every hour of every day.

The fear of hypoglycemia waking you in the night. The frustration when you did everything right and your blood sugar still does not cooperate. The loneliness of trying to explain something that most people around you will never fully understand. The financial weight of insulin, strips, sensors, and devices that keep you alive.

If you are in that space of exhaustion right now, we want you to know that what you are feeling is valid. Burnout does not mean you are failing. It means you are human, and you have been carrying an enormous amount.

You Are Not Alone in This

One of the things that makes diabetes so hard is the feeling that no one around you truly gets it. That you have to explain yourself constantly. That the people who love you are trying but still miss what it actually costs you every day.

Lynnove exists because this community deserves a space where none of that explanation is necessary. Where you can show up exactly as you are, tired or strong, scared or hopeful, and feel seen. We are not here to give you a perfect health plan. We are here to walk alongside you.

Whether you were just diagnosed, or you have been doing this for twenty years, or you are a caregiver trying to understand what your child or parent or partner is going through, we are glad you are here. And we are going to keep showing up with information, honesty, and the kind of community that makes this a little less lonely.