Diabetes is a medical condition where there is a problem with insulin production in the body. This can result in no insulin or not sufficient insulin being produced.
Insulin is a hormone secreted by the beta cells in the pancreas gland. Lack of insulin will result in the inability to utilise food properly, which will result in a raise of the level of sugar in the blood, and a raise of the fat in the blood.
The cause of Diabetes is not known, but it is thought that both genes and viruses play a part.
There are two types of Diabetes
Complications
Type 1
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People with Type 1 must be treated with insulin. (10% of people with diabetes have Type 1)
In Type 1 Diabetes, the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin stop functioning. The body cannot use the sugar from the blood. Cells are deprived of sugar and the sugar level in the blood stays high. Too much sugar in the blood over a long time leads to the blood vessels becoming damaged. Insulin has to be injected into the body at regular intervals to allow the cells to use the sugar.
Type 2
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(sometimes called non-insulin dependant) is caused by a resistance by the body to the action of insulin and by a defect of the pancreas.
Symptoms of Diabetes are
- Increased thirst
- Passing large volumes of urine both day and night
- Tiredness
- Weight loss
- Genital itching
- Skin infections
The most important factors leading to Type 2 Diabetes are being over-weight, being aged over 40, lack of exercise and having a family history of diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes is usually treated initially by weight reduction, exercise and diet. Sometimes tablets are necessary.
Type 2 Diabetes is associated with other risk factors, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol to increase the likelihood of heart disease and stroke.
Complications
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Acute – Hypoglycaemia (a “hypo”) when the blood sugar goes too low.
Ketoacidosis – (a diabetic coma) when the blood sugar goes too high due to not enough insulin.
Late complications – may take years to appear and are as a result of damage to blood vessels.
Increased risk of stroke and heart attack.
Poor circulation, loss of sensation in the legs and feet (neuropathy)
Retinopathy – diabetic eye disease
Nephropathy – kidney disease
Complications of Diabetes are all preventable and may not occur if blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol are kept under control and you do not smoke. |
