Diabetes Mellitus is a condition which causes the glucose levels in the bloodstream to be too high. The main factor in diabetes is the hormone insulin. Insulin normally regulates the body's blood sugar content. It is produced in the pancreas and helps the glucose in the blood enter the cells where it can be used for making energy.
Diabetes may be diagnosed from a simple urine test or through a blood test.
There are two main types of diabetes:
- Type 1:
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body cannot produce any insulin naturally. The normal age for a Type 1 diabetes patient is younger than 40 years old. It is the least common of the two types and affects between 5% and 15% of all diabetes patients.
- Type 2:
Type 2 diabetes happens when the body can make insulin, but not enough to sustain normal levels. It also occurs when, although insulin is produced, it does not work properly (this is also known as insulin resistance). Type 2 diabetes is often linked to being overweight and usually occurs in people over the age of 40. Recently, more and more children as young as 7 years old are being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
The Treatment of Diabetes
Neither type of diabetes can be cured, but it can be managed and kept under control using a number of different measures.
Treatment for Type 1 diabetes is very difficult and involves daily insulin injections. It also involves a very carefully planned diet and planned physical activity. Insulin cannot be taken orally because the acids in the stomach destroy it. The regularity of insulin injection depends on the patient.
Type 2 is easier to control than Type 1 diabetes, but still involves a special diet and 40% of Type 2 diabetes patients also require insulin injections. Type 2, in many cases, can be controlled by diet alone and there are pills available as well if a special diet alone is not sufficient.
Symptoms of Diabetes
For Type 1 diabetes, symptoms develop over several weeks and can include:
- Being very thirsty
- Being overly tired and fatigued
- Loss of weight
- Genital itching or recurrent thrush
The symptoms for Type 2 diabetes may be:
- Constipation
- Cramps
- Recurrent skin infections
- Blurred vision
In the United Kingdom, there are over 2.5 million people that have been diagnosed with diabetes and there are thought to be more than half a million people who have the condition but do not know about it.
