Friday 24 January 2014
What is Diabetes
Diabetes is an autoimmune disease that permanently damages or destroys beta cells in the pancreas, this means the body is no longer able to produce/produce enough or adequate insulin needed to break down glucose/sugar within the body. The Pancreas is a large gland positioned behind the stomach.
Unfortunately diabetes is a lifelong condition, there is no cure and if left untreated could have potentially serious consequences. However diagnosis, treatment and lifestyle changes could reduce risk factors and enable the patient to go on to live a very 'normal' and happy life.
In total there are currently 2.9 million people in the UK who have been diagnosed with a form of diabetes, however it is estimated there could be as many as 850,000 undiagnosed cases. Within the last 30 years it is believed that there have been 3x the number of childhood diagnoses. It's increasingly worrying that there is a rising population of young people with type 2 diabetes, it is cause for concern that this is believed to be linked to the increase in obesity levels. However the increase in type 1 cases in children cannot be directed at obesity and type 1 cases make up the majority of diagnoses.
There are 2 main types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes (Insulin dependent).
Type 2 diabetes (Non-insulin dependent).
Also there are other forms of diabetes such as:
Type 1.5 (LADA) - This is a slow progressive type of diabetes, often miss diagnosed as type 2 diabetes it is seen most commonly in people aged over 35. This type of diabetes is seen in people who appear healthy and of a good weight range and have low or no insulin resistance, however they do carry an antibody known as GAD65 which attacks beta cells. Beta cells are cells in the pancreas which produce insulin. It is thought that an estimated 15/20% of people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes could in fact have type 1.5 diabetes.
(Type 1.5 diabetes might also be referred to as Type 3, LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults) or Slow Onset Diabetes.
Gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) - usually this type of diabetes will disappear after giving birth, there is also a slightly increased risk of you developing one of the more common types of diabetes later in life.
Secondary diabetes - This is caused as a result of you pancreas being inflamed or from using medications such as diuretics or steroids.
What is Blood Glucose?
Glucose is a form of sugar in the bloodstream, glucose is a basic ingredient in such foods as:
Cakes
Sweets
Chocolate
Fizzy drinks
Glucose is also converted in the body from carbohydrate enriched foods such as:
Potatoes
Pasta
Bread
The glucose is broken down in the digestive process, the glucose is then distributed by the insulin to body's energy cells to be used as fuel for expended energy, a diabetic’s body does not convert the glucose to the energy cells and it builds up in the blood stream.
Unfortunately diabetes is a lifelong condition, there is no cure and if left untreated could have potentially serious consequences. However diagnosis, treatment and lifestyle changes could reduce risk factors and enable the patient to go on to live a very 'normal' and happy life.
In total there are currently 2.9 million people in the UK who have been diagnosed with a form of diabetes, however it is estimated there could be as many as 850,000 undiagnosed cases. Within the last 30 years it is believed that there have been 3x the number of childhood diagnoses. It's increasingly worrying that there is a rising population of young people with type 2 diabetes, it is cause for concern that this is believed to be linked to the increase in obesity levels. However the increase in type 1 cases in children cannot be directed at obesity and type 1 cases make up the majority of diagnoses.
There are 2 main types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes (Insulin dependent).
Type 2 diabetes (Non-insulin dependent).
Also there are other forms of diabetes such as:
Type 1.5 (LADA) - This is a slow progressive type of diabetes, often miss diagnosed as type 2 diabetes it is seen most commonly in people aged over 35. This type of diabetes is seen in people who appear healthy and of a good weight range and have low or no insulin resistance, however they do carry an antibody known as GAD65 which attacks beta cells. Beta cells are cells in the pancreas which produce insulin. It is thought that an estimated 15/20% of people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes could in fact have type 1.5 diabetes.
(Type 1.5 diabetes might also be referred to as Type 3, LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults) or Slow Onset Diabetes.
Gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) - usually this type of diabetes will disappear after giving birth, there is also a slightly increased risk of you developing one of the more common types of diabetes later in life.
Secondary diabetes - This is caused as a result of you pancreas being inflamed or from using medications such as diuretics or steroids.
What is Blood Glucose?
Glucose is a form of sugar in the bloodstream, glucose is a basic ingredient in such foods as:
Cakes
Sweets
Chocolate
Fizzy drinks
Glucose is also converted in the body from carbohydrate enriched foods such as:
Potatoes
Pasta
Bread
The glucose is broken down in the digestive process, the glucose is then distributed by the insulin to body's energy cells to be used as fuel for expended energy, a diabetic’s body does not convert the glucose to the energy cells and it builds up in the blood stream.
* Diabetes is a very complicated and varied disease, if you have any concerns or questions about diabetes or any other health issues please consult your Doctor or GP.
Diabetes Simplified
What is diabetes? In simple terms, diabetes is a disease in which the body isn't utilising the glucose or sugar we eat. This causes the sugar to build up in the blood.
Usually, when we eat, our food turns into sugar or glucose. Our pancreas produces insulin. Insulin acts as a boat to carry the glucose into our cells, which gives us energy. A person with diabetes doesn't make enough insulin or can't use its own insulin sufficiently. This causes the glucose to remain outside the cells. Over time, this is life threatening. It can cause heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and poor circulation of the lower extremities which can lead to amputations.
There are 3 types of common diabetes: Type 1, Type 2, and Gestational Diabetes.
Type 1, also known as insulin dependent diabetes, account for 5-10% of diabetics. Type 1 diabetes is also known as juvenile onset diabetes because, in the past, mostly children had this type. Nowadays, adults have been diagnosed with this type also.
Type 2, adult onset diabetes, also known as non-insulin dependent diabetes, account for 90-95% of all diabetics, people with this type of diabetes are usually older in age, but not always.
Gestational Diabetes is diagnosed for pregnant women only and disappears after pregnancy.
That's it! Diabetes in a nutshell. Anyone who thinks they might have diabetes must see a doctor immediately.
Common signs and symptoms of diabetes are:
Feeling tired, no energy
Increased hunger and thirst
Weight loss
Frequent urination
Sores that are slow to heal
Vision problems
Usually, when we eat, our food turns into sugar or glucose. Our pancreas produces insulin. Insulin acts as a boat to carry the glucose into our cells, which gives us energy. A person with diabetes doesn't make enough insulin or can't use its own insulin sufficiently. This causes the glucose to remain outside the cells. Over time, this is life threatening. It can cause heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and poor circulation of the lower extremities which can lead to amputations.
There are 3 types of common diabetes: Type 1, Type 2, and Gestational Diabetes.
Type 1, also known as insulin dependent diabetes, account for 5-10% of diabetics. Type 1 diabetes is also known as juvenile onset diabetes because, in the past, mostly children had this type. Nowadays, adults have been diagnosed with this type also.
Type 2, adult onset diabetes, also known as non-insulin dependent diabetes, account for 90-95% of all diabetics, people with this type of diabetes are usually older in age, but not always.
Gestational Diabetes is diagnosed for pregnant women only and disappears after pregnancy.
That's it! Diabetes in a nutshell. Anyone who thinks they might have diabetes must see a doctor immediately.
Common signs and symptoms of diabetes are:
Feeling tired, no energy
Increased hunger and thirst
Weight loss
Frequent urination
Sores that are slow to heal
Vision problems
Type 1 Diabetes
You can be diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at any age, however type 1 diabetes typically occurs in people under 40, this is the most common form of diabetes in children.
There are an estimated 2.9 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the U.K alone with 10/15 % of this figure being a type 1 diagnosis.
Insulin within the body is a hormone produced by the pancreas a large gland located behind the stomach. Insulin allows glucose/sugar to enter the body's energy cells from the blood stream to be used as fuel to provide us energy to work, play and enjoy our lives. Glucose is digested and broken down from carbohydrates but also produced by our liver. Type 1 diabetics produce no insulin so glucose builds up in the blood stream and cannot be dispersed as energy. The effects of this in someone who is undiagnosed or who does not take there insulin injections correctly can be very dangerous and the body will start to break down the fat stores and protein to replace its energy source. This can cause weight loss and/or muscle loss and the glucose is passed when urination occurs!
Once you are diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes you will need to take regular insulin doses to maintain lower blood sugars.
What causes Diabetes?
It is not known for sure why the pancreatic insulin-producing beta cells are destroyed or damaged but it is likely that the body has an abnormal reaction to the cells, it could well be triggered by a virus or an infection of some kind.
It is commonly thought to be caused by a combination of genetics and environmental triggers as well as viruses or infections. This then causes the immune system to destroy its own insulin reproductive beta cells.
It is not well understood as to why the body behaves like this in diabetic sufferers.
Unfortunately you cannot reverse the effects of type 1 diabetes you will need to learn and monitor your food intake, physical activity output and general well-being regularly with the help of a blood glucose monitor, this will give an indication to how certain foods, activities and even stress effects your blood glucose readings which will indicate your need for insulin.
Complications linked to Type 1 Diabetes.
Heart Disease
Strokes
Retinopathy
Kidney Disease
Neuropathy
There are an estimated 2.9 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the U.K alone with 10/15 % of this figure being a type 1 diagnosis.
Insulin within the body is a hormone produced by the pancreas a large gland located behind the stomach. Insulin allows glucose/sugar to enter the body's energy cells from the blood stream to be used as fuel to provide us energy to work, play and enjoy our lives. Glucose is digested and broken down from carbohydrates but also produced by our liver. Type 1 diabetics produce no insulin so glucose builds up in the blood stream and cannot be dispersed as energy. The effects of this in someone who is undiagnosed or who does not take there insulin injections correctly can be very dangerous and the body will start to break down the fat stores and protein to replace its energy source. This can cause weight loss and/or muscle loss and the glucose is passed when urination occurs!
Once you are diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes you will need to take regular insulin doses to maintain lower blood sugars.
What causes Diabetes?
It is not known for sure why the pancreatic insulin-producing beta cells are destroyed or damaged but it is likely that the body has an abnormal reaction to the cells, it could well be triggered by a virus or an infection of some kind.
It is commonly thought to be caused by a combination of genetics and environmental triggers as well as viruses or infections. This then causes the immune system to destroy its own insulin reproductive beta cells.
It is not well understood as to why the body behaves like this in diabetic sufferers.
Unfortunately you cannot reverse the effects of type 1 diabetes you will need to learn and monitor your food intake, physical activity output and general well-being regularly with the help of a blood glucose monitor, this will give an indication to how certain foods, activities and even stress effects your blood glucose readings which will indicate your need for insulin.
Complications linked to Type 1 Diabetes.
Heart Disease
Strokes
Retinopathy
Kidney Disease
Neuropathy
* Diabetes is a very complicated and varied disease, if you have any concerns or questions about diabetes or any other health issues please consult your Doctor or GP.
Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes is an autoimmune disease that permanently destroys cells in a part of the pancreas (the pancreas is a large gland located behind the stomach), this means the body is no longer able to produce the right amount of insulin needed to break down glucose/sugar within the body. Type 2 suffers develop the condition when the cells in the body are not able to produce enough insulin or when the insulin produced doesn't work effectively.
You can be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at any age, however type 2 diabetes typically occurs in people over 40, although across the world it appears to be becoming increasingly more common in younger generations of all ethnicities.
There are an estimated 2.9 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the U.K alone with 85/90 % of this figure being a type 2 diagnosis. It is thought that there could be an estimated 850,000 people with undiagnosed diabetes.
Insulin within the body is a hormone produced by the pancreas, this allows glucose/sugar to enter our cells from our bloodstream so it can be used as fuel to provide us energy to work, play and enjoy our lives. Glucose is digested and broken down from carbohydrates but also produced by our liver. Once the pancreas no longer provides the body with the insulin needed the glucose builds up in the blood stream and doesn't get processed to the cells for use as fuel. If your body doesn't produce enough insulin this is known as an insulin deficiency and if your body does produce the insulin but is ineffective this is known as insulin resistant.
Once you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes you will need to take regular medication or insulin doses to maintain lower blood sugars.
What causes Diabetes?
It is commonly thought to be caused by a combination of genetics and environmental triggers as well as viruses or infections. This then causes the immune system to destroy its own insulin reproductive cells.
It is not well understood as to why the body behaves like this in diabetic sufferers.
Unfortunately you cannot reverse the effects of type 1 diabetes you will need to learn and monitor your food intake, physical activity output and general well-being regularly with the help of a blood glucose monitor, this will give an indication to how certain foods, activities and even stress effects your blood glucose readings which will indicate your need for insulin.
Complications linked to Type 1 Diabetes.
Heart Disease
Strokes
Retinopathy
Kidney Disease
Neuropathy
You can be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at any age, however type 2 diabetes typically occurs in people over 40, although across the world it appears to be becoming increasingly more common in younger generations of all ethnicities.
There are an estimated 2.9 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the U.K alone with 85/90 % of this figure being a type 2 diagnosis. It is thought that there could be an estimated 850,000 people with undiagnosed diabetes.
Insulin within the body is a hormone produced by the pancreas, this allows glucose/sugar to enter our cells from our bloodstream so it can be used as fuel to provide us energy to work, play and enjoy our lives. Glucose is digested and broken down from carbohydrates but also produced by our liver. Once the pancreas no longer provides the body with the insulin needed the glucose builds up in the blood stream and doesn't get processed to the cells for use as fuel. If your body doesn't produce enough insulin this is known as an insulin deficiency and if your body does produce the insulin but is ineffective this is known as insulin resistant.
Once you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes you will need to take regular medication or insulin doses to maintain lower blood sugars.
What causes Diabetes?
It is commonly thought to be caused by a combination of genetics and environmental triggers as well as viruses or infections. This then causes the immune system to destroy its own insulin reproductive cells.
It is not well understood as to why the body behaves like this in diabetic sufferers.
Unfortunately you cannot reverse the effects of type 1 diabetes you will need to learn and monitor your food intake, physical activity output and general well-being regularly with the help of a blood glucose monitor, this will give an indication to how certain foods, activities and even stress effects your blood glucose readings which will indicate your need for insulin.
Complications linked to Type 1 Diabetes.
Heart Disease
Strokes
Retinopathy
Kidney Disease
Neuropathy
* Diabetes is a very complicated and varied disease, if you have any concerns or questions about diabetes or any other health issues please consult your Doctor or GP.
Diabetes Symptoms
Diabetes symptoms are varied and can include:
Extreme thirst
Frequent urination (particularly at night)
Extreme tiredness
Weight loss or muscle loss
Itching around the vagina or penis
Regular thrush (yeast infections)
Blurred vision
Cramp
Skin infections
Seek URGENT medical attention if you progress to vomiting or deep heavy breathing.
Symptoms of low blood glucose (Hypoglycaemia)
Feeling shaky and/or irritable
Sweating
Tingling lips
Feeling weak
Hunger
Nausea (feeling sick)
Symptoms of high blood glucose (Hyperglycaemia)
Extreme thirst
Dry mouth
Blurred vision
Drowsiness
Need to pass urine frequently
If you have already been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and show signs of:
Loss of appetite
Nausea or vomiting
High temperature
Stomach pains
Fruity smelling breath (smells like pear drops or nail varnish)
Seek URGENT medical attention.
Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis
There are various ways to diagnose type 1 diabetes, firstly, via a urine sample, this will check to see if your urine contains glucose, typically urine does not contain glucose, however, if you have diabetes some glucose can overflow through the kidneys and into the urine. Your urine sample may also be tested for ketones which can indicate type 1 diabetes. Depending on these results you may be required to have a blood test to confirm diagnosis (process for this is as below).
To accurately diagnose type 1 diabetes you will first need a fasting blood glucose test known as a GTT (Glucose Tolerance Test) to check your glucose levels.
Your initial blood test will check your fasting plasma glucose level, you will be required to have this test before food roughly 12 hours since you last ate, your fasting plasma glucose level is expected to be equal to or greater than 7.0mmol.
If your blood glucose levels are not high enough after your initial blood test your Doctor or GP may request an OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test). You will then be required to drink 75g of oral glucose. Your second blood test will be taken 2 hours after, with an expected reading equal to or greater than 11mmol, this is to determine how your body processed the 75g of glucose.
Extreme thirst
Frequent urination (particularly at night)
Extreme tiredness
Weight loss or muscle loss
Itching around the vagina or penis
Regular thrush (yeast infections)
Blurred vision
Cramp
Skin infections
Seek URGENT medical attention if you progress to vomiting or deep heavy breathing.
Symptoms of low blood glucose (Hypoglycaemia)
Feeling shaky and/or irritable
Sweating
Tingling lips
Feeling weak
Hunger
Nausea (feeling sick)
Symptoms of high blood glucose (Hyperglycaemia)
Extreme thirst
Dry mouth
Blurred vision
Drowsiness
Need to pass urine frequently
If you have already been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and show signs of:
Loss of appetite
Nausea or vomiting
High temperature
Stomach pains
Fruity smelling breath (smells like pear drops or nail varnish)
Seek URGENT medical attention.
Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosis
There are various ways to diagnose type 1 diabetes, firstly, via a urine sample, this will check to see if your urine contains glucose, typically urine does not contain glucose, however, if you have diabetes some glucose can overflow through the kidneys and into the urine. Your urine sample may also be tested for ketones which can indicate type 1 diabetes. Depending on these results you may be required to have a blood test to confirm diagnosis (process for this is as below).
To accurately diagnose type 1 diabetes you will first need a fasting blood glucose test known as a GTT (Glucose Tolerance Test) to check your glucose levels.
Your initial blood test will check your fasting plasma glucose level, you will be required to have this test before food roughly 12 hours since you last ate, your fasting plasma glucose level is expected to be equal to or greater than 7.0mmol.
If your blood glucose levels are not high enough after your initial blood test your Doctor or GP may request an OGTT (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test). You will then be required to drink 75g of oral glucose. Your second blood test will be taken 2 hours after, with an expected reading equal to or greater than 11mmol, this is to determine how your body processed the 75g of glucose.
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