Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is caused by the complete lack of insulin in the body, due to the destruction of the pancreatic cells responsible for insulin production. It is the most common cause of childhood diabetes. People with this form of diabetes need daily insulin injections to survive.

Type 2 diabetes is marked by lowered levels of insulin or the inability of the body to use insulin properly (known as insulin resistance). The development of this type of diabetes is usually gradual and symptoms generally appear after the age of 40. Various risk factors lead to type 2 diabetes, such as a lack of physical activity, an unhealthy diet and obesity. People with type 2 diabetes often have a family history of the disease.

Gestational diabetes occurs in 2 – 5% of pregnant women who were not previously diagnosed with diabetes. It usually goes away after giving birth. However, it is a sign of increased risk of having type 2 diabetes later in life.

The most common symptoms of diabetes are:

• Blurry vision
• Constant hunger
• Extreme thirst, even after drinking plenty of water
• Constantly feeling tired or weak
• Frequent urination day and night
• Irritated and itchy skin around the genitals
• Numb hands and feet
• Slow healing of cuts and wounds
• Weight loss despite normal appetite

Type 1 diabetes treatment includes:

• Daily insulin injections

Type 2 diabetes treatment mainly includes lifestyle changes to control blood sugar levels:

• Eat a balanced and healthy diet – avoid food high in fats and cholesterol, eat more fruits and vegetables and watch sugar consumption
• Exercise regularly
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Oral medications may be prescribed at a later stage of the disease to control blood sugar levels

• Bacterial and fungal skin infection, and gum infection
• Foot diseases, such as numbness, blisters and gangrene, which may require amputation in severe cases
• Diseases of the heart and blood vessels, such as coronary heart disease and heart attack
• Kidney diseases can occur and may require dialysis and kidney transplant
• Nerve diseases, such as numbness and pain in legs, toes and fingers, can lead to complete loss of sense in affected limbs
• Osteoporosis – thinning and weakening of bones
• Severe vision complication, such as cataract, glaucoma (high pressure in the eye) and eventually blindness