What is diabetes?

Diabetes in all its forms is actually quite a common disease, and in South Africa approximately 4,5 million people (13% being adults) are affected by diabetes.

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose or blood sugar is too high. Glucose is the main source of energy which is either made by your body or it comes from the food you eat.

In order for the glucose to be used up as energy a hormone called Insulin, made by the pancreas is needed to help the glucose get into the cells. With diabetes the body is unable to use the insulin made correctly or in some cases not enough or none is made and the glucose is unable to reach your cells and remains in the bloodstream.

Having diabetes does increase a number of risks on other major organs of the body such as the eyes, kidneys, heart and nerves. It can also be linked to various kinds of cancers. All would be monitored by your doctor. Although as with most things prevention is better than cure, being diagnosed as a diabetic is not a death sentence and there are steps that can be followed to ensure that proper care is taken to control and manage yourself and your diabetes. These steps, if followed correctly, will aid to lower the risk of developing other health concerns.

Let’s look at the most common types of diabetes as it is important to understand which one you have and the best way to live with it.

The most common types of diabetes are type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes means your body makes little or no insulin. It is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks and destroys the cells in your pancreas that make insulin. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, although it can appear at any age. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day to stay alive.

Type 2 diabetes is where the cells in your body don’t use insulin properly. The pancreas may be making insulin but is not producing enough insulin to keep your blood glucose level in the normal range. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. You are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you are overweight, or obese. It is also genetic. Type 2 diabetes can develop at any age including childhood. It is possible to delay the onset or even prevent type 2 diabetes by understanding the risks and taking the necessary steps towards a healthier lifestyle.

Gestational diabetes develops in women during pregnancy, and usually goes away after giving birth. However, women that suffered gestational diabetes have a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes at a later stage. Occasionally type 2 diabetes is diagnosed during the pregnancy.

Pre-diabetes is where the blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. The risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life is greater along with risks of heart disease in comparison to those people with normal blood glucose levels.

Monogenetic diabetes, the less common type of diabetes is caused through other genetic factors or from surgery. This for example can be caused through changes of a single gene or from conditions such as Cystic fibrosis or pancreatitis.

Over time, high blood glucose can lead to damage of your heart, kidneys, feet, and eyes. However there are steps that can be followed to ensure that proper care for yourself and your diabetes is followed correctly to lower the risk of developing these health issues and others. Should you be a diabetic and unsure on how to improve your health, speak to your doctor or pharmacist to learn the best way for you to manage the disease.

Written by Emma Walker Health, Skincare & Nutritional Therapist

SAAHAP & CIDESCO
@relativityhealthaesthetics