Diabetes treatment in Barcelona | Criteria and clinical follow-up

Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by an excess of sugar in the blood, a state that medical professionals refer to as hyperglycemia. Every time you eat, your food is broken down into glucose (sugar), which travels through your bloodstream to nourish your cells.

Under normal conditions, this process relies on insulin, a natural hormone produced by the pancreas. Insulin acts as the carrier responsible for moving sugar from the blood into the cells so it can be used for energy. In diabetes, this distribution system is disrupted due to two main phenomena:

• Insulin resistance: The body produces the hormone, but the cells do not respond to its signal or recognize it properly, preventing sugar from entering them.
• Lack of insulin production: The pancreas drastically reduces its activity or stops producing this hormone altogether.

As a direct result, sugar cannot enter the cells to provide them with energy, remaining trapped outside and dangerously accumulating in the blood.

Although there are several variations, there are two main types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes, which affects around 6% of people with the condition, and type 2 diabetes, which accounts for 92% of cases. The remaining 2% includes more specific forms, such as gestational diabetes during pregnancy, MODY diabetes (of genetic origin), or diabetes secondary to certain diseases or medications.

Many people live with altered blood sugar levels for months or even years without being aware of it. However, the body usually sends subtle yet constant signals when glucose builds up in the bloodstream. Timely identification of classic signs and other common manifestations is key to consulting a specialist early on:

• Unusual and Constant Thirst (Polydipsia): Feeling the need to drink water constantly, experiencing a dryness that does not go away no matter how much you hydrate.
• Frequent Urination (Polyuria): With an excess of sugar in the blood, the kidneys work overtime to eliminate it through urine. This causes very frequent trips to the bathroom.
• Persistent Hunger (Polyphagia): Since cells cannot absorb glucose to get energy, they send an alert signal to the brain that translates into constant appetite, despite eating well.
• Extreme Fatigue and Weakness: Feeling exhausted or lacking vitality because energy remains trapped in the bloodstream instead of nourishing the muscles.
• Unexplained Weight Loss: Very common in type 1 diabetes. It occurs because the body, unable to use sugar, starts burning muscle tissue and fat at an accelerated rate to produce energy.
• Blurred Vision: High glucose levels can temporarily alter the fluid in eye tissues, affecting the eyes' ability to focus.
• Slow Healing: Small cuts, scrapes, or bruises that take much longer than usual to heal due to the impact of sugar on blood circulation and skin immunity.

→ Type 1 Diabetes: An Immune Reaction

Type 1 diabetes occurs as a result of an abnormal immune system response. For reasons science is still investigating, the body's own defenses mistakenly attack the beta cells in the pancreas, which are responsible for producing insulin. By destroying these cells, the body completely loses the ability to manufacture its own hormone. It is not related to diet or lifestyle habits, and usually appears suddenly in children, teenagers, or young adults.

→ Type 2 Diabetes: Genetics and Lifestyle

Type 2 diabetes is more common than type 1 and mainly affects people over 40 years of age. The onset of type 2 diabetes is primarily linked to lifestyle, although genetics plays a very important role. In this case, there is no single cause, but rather a combination of factors that contribute to it:

• Family History: Having parents or siblings with the condition increases biological predisposition.
• Environmental Factors: Poor diet (high in refined sugars and saturated fats), overweight, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle are the main triggers that strain the pancreas and lead to insulin resistance.