What Is Diabetes?

In layman terms, “diabetes” is the inability of the body to process sugars properly. When we eat or drink, our “pancreas” produces a hormone called “insulin”. Insulin is released into the blood and helps to regulate the amount of glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream. Diabetes is a condition where this process does not function correctly.

Types of Diabetes

There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes (often called “insulin dependent” diabetes) occurs when the body fails to produce insulin. Type 1 diabetic persons require the administration of insulin injections to balance their blood sugar levels.

In Type 2 diabetes (often called “non-insulin dependent” diabetes), the body produces insulin but is incapable of using the insulin properly. People with Type 2 diabetes can often control their condition successfully through diet and exercise regimes. Type 2 diabetes is commonly known as “adult-onset” diabetes because it tended to occur in adulthood. It is, however, becoming more common in all age groups including young children.

The danger is that while diabetes is not immediately life threatening the long term effects of high blood sugar can be damaging to one’s health. Uncontrolled diabetes and prolonged high blood sugar levels can, in later life, cause problems to many organs including the kidneys, eyes, nerves and the heart.

Controlling blood sugar by a combination of medicine, diet and exercise will vastly reduce the danger of long term complications. Recent research shows that 2 in every 100 people have diabetes. About half of these people do not even know they have it. Many people have diabetes without being aware of it.

Testing For Diabetes

How do you find out if you have diabetes? The simplest way to check if you have diabetes is to arrange a blood sugar check with your doctor. If the results of the blood sugar check are abnormal, further investigations will be needed (eg a glucose tolerance blood test as mentioned above).

Diagnosis of diabetes can occur unexpectedly during a routine check-up but more often it follows from the sufferer experiencing the symptoms of diabetes. These symptoms can be many or few, mild or severe depending on the individual.

Common Diabetes Symptoms:

Loss Of Weight – Glucose is the form of sugar which is the body’s main fuel. Diabetics cannot process this properly so it passes into the urine and out of the body. Less fuel means the body’s reserve tissues are broken down to produce energy with a resultant loss in weight.

Thirst – No matter how much a sufferer drinks their mouth still feels dry. The problem is often compounded before diabetes is diagnosed by sufferers drinking huge amounts of sugary drinks. Of course this increases the blood sugar level and leads to increased thirst.

Urinating More Often – Sufferers need to urinate often and pass large volumes each time. This increased frequency of urination goes on night as well as day. Some sufferers make the understandable mistake of thinking this is caused by the increased thirst and drinking more. What is happening is that high sugar levels in the blood spill over into the urine making it syrupy. To counter-act this water is drawn from the body causing dehydration and therefore thirst.

If you have experienced any of these symptoms it does not necessarily follow that you are diabetic however it would be advisable to visit your doctor to be sure. There is also a syndrome called “pre-diabetes”. If it does turn out that you have diabetes please do not panic! It can come as a shock and it will mean some changes in your life. While it is incurable it can be treated so the long term complications are reduced or even eliminated. The vast majority of diabetics live completely normal lives and many of them don’t need to take any medication.

By knowing exactly what diabetes is – and being able to recognize the symptoms – you can prevent it from building up without your knowledge. Start today by monitoring your health and daily eating habits. An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure.