Diabetes is a chronic illness where either:

The pancreas is unable to produce insulin OR

The body is unable to make proper use of any insulin produced.

Why is insulin so important?

This is because the body uses insulin to convert carbohydrates into glucose which is the body’s energy.

What happens when you don’t have enough insulin?

Without enough insulin, glucose levels rise unchecked. Too much glucose in the blood can lead to hyperglycemia. If left unchecked, high levels of glucose in the blood can lead to severe body damage and severe organ failure. 

The three (3) most common types of diabetes are: 

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease. This is where the body’s immune system attacks its own pancreas cells. Production of insulin is either insufficient or non-existent. Why this happens is unknown and it can affect anyone of any age. 

People with this form of diabetes need to monitor & control their sugar levels every day using insulin injections. Without this, people with this form of diabetes will die.

Type 2 diabetes

A non-communicable (non-contagious) disease which makes  up approximately 90% of reported diabetes patients. The patient’s body may be resistant to and/or have an insulin deficiency. Both may be present at time of diagnosis.

It is often, but not always associated with being overweight or obesity. Changes to lifestyle, namely consistent exercise and diet can help manage this type of diabetes.  

Gestational diabetes

One of the main symptoms of gestational diabetes is an unusually high level of glucose in an expectant mother. Occurring in 1 of 25 pregnancies, it can lead to complications for both the mother and baby. This type of diabetes often disappears after pregnancy but the mother and child are left with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Many mothers who developed GDM develop type 2 diabetes within 5 to 10 years after pregnancy.

So, how can you tell if you have developed diabetes?

Common symptoms are:

Increased urination.

Feeling very thirsty.

Feeling very hungry – even though you have eaten

Extreme fatigue.

Blurry vision.

Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal.

Unexpected weight loss.

Tingling, pain or numbness in the hands/feet.

Early detection is key for reducing and hopefully preventing future complications from arising. However some of the symptoms of diabetes are so mild that they may go undetected for many years.

Diagnosis can occur at any age and may even be undetected for many years. Diagnosis is often made after a routine blood/urine glucose test is done but there are times where it has been diagnosed as a result of complications.

If you are concerned about whether or not you have developed diabetes, you should consult your medical professional. They will be able to recommend the best route for you and can follow up with further advice on how to proceed.

Have you ever seen this symbol?

The blue circle (est. 2006) represents the cycle of health & life. It also shows the unity required from a person and their community to overcome this disease. Find out more about what you can do to help & support them at International Diabetes Foundation (IDF).