Diabetes The Facts
Diabetes is a common condition which is known to affect around 2.3 million people. It is believed that half a million more people, at least, also suffer from the condition, without diagnosis. Diabetes affects the blood, causing an imbalance of glucose levels within your system.
In a person without diabetes the amount of glucose within the blood is controlled by a hormone called insulin. Insulin moves the glucose from the blood, and into the cells, where it is then broken down to use as energy. However, a person with Diabetes does not produce enough insulin, or only produces insulin which is inefficient. The glucose is not broken down.
Diabetes has two distinct types. Type 1 diabetes occurs if no insulin is produced within the body at all. This type of Diabetes usually occurs before the age of forty and has come to be known as ‘early onset diabetes’. It will leave the patient insulin dependent – They will have to have insulin injections of the rest of their life.
Type 1 Diabetes only makes up five to fifteen percent of those with Diabetes, making type 2 the much more frequent strain. Type 2 occurs when too little, or ineffective insulin is produced. This is associated with both obesity and those over forty. It is not required for those with Type 2 diabetes to have insulin injections, as the blood glucose levels can often be controlled through diet. However, it may eventually lead to injections being a necessary form of treatment.
Diabetes is a manageable but long term condition. As of yet, there is no definitive cure for diabetes and the best thing to do is to continue to manage it as best as possible. Diabetes does not mean the end to a life, but there can be some unpleasant conclusions to the condition. The risk of death is increased, as is the risk of losing the use of legs or hands.
