Diabetes, or diabetes mellitus, is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high blood sugar, either because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced. There are several types of diabetes, the classification being related to the mechanisms through which the disease develops. The main types are: Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin (they no longer respond adequately to normal levels of insulin). People can develop type 2 diabetes at any age, but this type of diabetes is most often associated with older age. Type 2 diabetes is also associated with excess weight, physical inactivity, family history of diabetes, previous history of gestational diabetes, and certain ethnic groups.
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and was previously known as juvenile diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin. The part of the pancreas that produces insulin (called beta cells) no longer makes insulin because the body’s immune system has attacked and destroyed it. Only about 5-15% of diabetics have Type 1 diabetes.
Treatment of Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that requires lifetime treatment. Treatment focuses on keeping blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible. This is accomplished with diet, exercise, and use of appropriate medications. Complications of diabetes are far less common and less severe in people who have near-normal blood sugar levels. Attention is also paid to other health problems that may accelerate the effects of diabetes, such as smoking, elevated cholesterol levels, obesity, and high blood pressure.
Consider the following points for optimal diabetes care:
- Check and record your blood sugar levels regularly. Be sure to take this record to your doctor visits.
- Talk with your doctor about individualized blood glucose targets. Ask how and when to test your blood glucose and how to use the results to manage your diabetes.
- Take your prescribed medicine even when you feel good.
- Control other medical conditions that increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, such as high blood pressure or cholesterol.
- Make healthy food choices; eat foods that have less fat and salt, and more fiber.
- Get 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week.
- Stay at a healthy weight by sticking to your meal plan and being more physically active
- Stop smoking. Ask for help to quit.
- Check your feet every day for cuts or sores. Contact your doctor if sores do not heal.
- Report any changes in your eyesight to your doctor. Visit a specialist for an eye-exam every year.
- Learn to cope with stress. Stress can raise your blood sugar, and while it is hard to remove stress from your life, you can learn to better handle it.
Here’s a video that explains the mechanisms and symptoms associated with undiagnosed diabetes:
Source: © Diabetes UK 2008.
