About Diabetes
What is Diabetes
Diabetes is a life-long physical condition in which there is a problem with levels of glucose in your blood due to a lack of the hormone, insulin.
Diabetes occurs when your pancreas produces too little, or no insulin at all. In other cases the insulin may not work properly, resulting in changes in the body which include high blood glucose levels.
To understand diabetes you need to know how your body uses food. Your body is made up of millions of cells all of which require energy to function properly. The food you eat is broken down into a simple sugar called glucose, which is carried to the cells to supply energy. Insulin is a hormone made in your pancreas that enables the glucose to enter your cells. As the glucose enters cells, your blood glucose level naturally drops1.
If there is complete lack of insulin (type 1 diabetes) or if the insulin is ineffective (type 2 diabetes) glucose is not able to enter your cells and it accumulates in your blood.
This may cause:
Other diabetes symptoms that can occur include:
There are two main types of diabetes
Type 1 diabetes occurs when your immune system destroys the beta cells in the pancreas that make insulin. As a result, the body makes vey little or no insulin of its own. People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily. Type 1 diabetes is sometimes called juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not make enough insulin, or the body cannot properly use the insulin it does make. Eventually, the pancreas may stop producing insulin altogether. Type 2 diabetes can affect people at any age.
Dealing with diabetes
As there is no known cure for diabetes, it is vital that you maintain your glucose levels as close to normal as possible. The most positive step is to empower yourself by learning as much as you can about diabetes.
Take positive steps towards controlling your diabetes by keeping active, choosing suitable food, self-monitoring, keeping regular contact with your healthcare team and using medication as prescribed.
Reference:
1. The Journal of Clinical and Applied Research and Education: American Diabetes Association: Clinical Practice Recommendations 2002: Diabetes Care. Vol 25. No 1. January.
Diabetes occurs when your pancreas produces too little, or no insulin at all. In other cases the insulin may not work properly, resulting in changes in the body which include high blood glucose levels.
To understand diabetes you need to know how your body uses food. Your body is made up of millions of cells all of which require energy to function properly. The food you eat is broken down into a simple sugar called glucose, which is carried to the cells to supply energy. Insulin is a hormone made in your pancreas that enables the glucose to enter your cells. As the glucose enters cells, your blood glucose level naturally drops1.If there is complete lack of insulin (type 1 diabetes) or if the insulin is ineffective (type 2 diabetes) glucose is not able to enter your cells and it accumulates in your blood.
This may cause:
- Polyuria (passing urine frequently)
- Excessive thirst
- Hunger
- Tiredness
Other diabetes symptoms that can occur include:
- Wounds or cuts that wont heal
- Recurring infections
- Blurred vision
- Weight loss without dieting
There are two main types of diabetes
Type 1 diabetes occurs when your immune system destroys the beta cells in the pancreas that make insulin. As a result, the body makes vey little or no insulin of its own. People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily. Type 1 diabetes is sometimes called juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not make enough insulin, or the body cannot properly use the insulin it does make. Eventually, the pancreas may stop producing insulin altogether. Type 2 diabetes can affect people at any age.
Dealing with diabetes
As there is no known cure for diabetes, it is vital that you maintain your glucose levels as close to normal as possible. The most positive step is to empower yourself by learning as much as you can about diabetes.
Take positive steps towards controlling your diabetes by keeping active, choosing suitable food, self-monitoring, keeping regular contact with your healthcare team and using medication as prescribed.
Reference:
1. The Journal of Clinical and Applied Research and Education: American Diabetes Association: Clinical Practice Recommendations 2002: Diabetes Care. Vol 25. No 1. January.
