diabetic

A diabetic is a person who has diabetes mellitus, a chronic condition characterized by elevated blood glucose (hyperglycemia). Diabetes refers to a group of disorders sharing this feature, caused by impaired insulin production, action, or both.

The main forms are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and gestational diabetes, with several other rare types. Type 1 results from autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells and typically begins in youth; type 2 arises from insulin resistance and progressive insulin deficiency, usually in adults.

Common symptoms include increased urination, excessive thirst, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, and slow-healing wounds. Diagnosis is based on blood glucose tests: fasting plasma glucose ≥126 mg/dL, two-hour plasma glucose in an oral glucose tolerance test ≥200 mg/dL, HbA1c ≥6.5%, or a random glucose with symptoms ≥200 mg/dL.

Management is lifelong and individualized. Type 1 requires insulin therapy; type 2 is managed with lifestyle changes, oral medications such as metformin, and sometimes insulin. Gestational diabetes is treated with diet, physical activity, and blood glucose monitoring, with insulin if needed.

Complications can be acute, such as hypoglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis, and chronic, including retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, and cardiovascular disease. Good glycemic control, regular medical follow-up, and management of blood pressure and lipids reduce risk.

In clinical usage, "a diabetic" is sometimes used, but many prefer "a person with diabetes" to emphasize the condition as part of a person’s life.