What is diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus, also known as diabetes is where there is too much glucose in the blood. Glucose is a form of sugar which is the main source of energy for our bodies. For those with diabetes, there is a build up of glucose in the blood and the body cannot make insulin, enough insulin or is not using the insulin being made effectively. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas that is produced and works to break down glucose from the food you eat so it can be used for energy. Almost 1.9 million Australians have diabetes, with approximately 85-90% of those cases being type 2 diabetes, meaning that is the fasting growing chronic condition in Australia.
There are a several types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune condition, where the immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas; the pancreas as a result is unable to produce insulin. Type 1 diabetes often is diagnosed in childhood, and the onset can occur quickly. There is no known reason, however it is thought that environmental factors are thought to contribute. There is no cure for type 1 diabetes, but can be successfully managed with insulin injections, nutrition and exercise. Type 1 diabetics manage their blood glucose levels through insulin injections or use an insulin pump.
Type 2 diabetes:
Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body becomes resistant to the normal effects of insulin in the pancreas, also known as insulin resistance. As a result of insulin becoming ineffective, the pancreas responds by producing more amounts of insulin to try to manage blood glucose levels.
Type 2 diabetes affects 85-90% of all people with diabetes and can be managed through lifestyle changes such as changes in diet, increased exercise and oral medication. Type 2 diabetes usually develops in adults over the age of 45 years and often is developed over a long period of time. This is often diagnosed through an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), fasting blood glucose, non fasting blood glucose test and looking at the Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c). These tests look at immediate blood glucose levels in the case of non fasted tests, looking at levels across a 2 to 3 month period. In type 2 diabetes, many people may not have any symptoms.
Gestational diabetes:
Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and often disappears after pregnancy. It is usually detected around week 24-28 of pregnancy. Most women who develop gestational diabetes will no longer have diabetes once the baby is born.
Diabetes can be managed well, but there are some complications that could arise as a result of poor diabetes management including:
- Blindness: diabetes is the leading cause of preventable blindness in adults.
- Heart Disease: people with diabetes are 2 to 4 times more likely to develop heart disease and is the leading cause of death for people with type 2 diabetes.
- Kidney disease: diabetes is the leading cause of kidney disease and dialysis.
Source:
Diabetes Australia, n.d. What is diabetes? https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/about-diabetes/what-is-diabetes/
Diabetes Australia, n.d. Diabetes in Australia
Better Health Victoria, n.d. Diabetes https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/diabetes