Diabetes

Diabetes is finally being recognised as a global epidemic with the potential to cause a worldwide healthcare crisis. It is estimated that diabetes affects some 200 million people worldwide and the International Diabetes Federation reckons that this is set to increase to 333 million by the year 2025.This is well over the estimates set out by the World Health Organisation in 1997.

In September 2005 it was reported that the number of diabetics in the UK had reached 2 million. There has been a threefold increase in the numbers of childhood diabetics in the last 30 years. Experts were clear to indicate that the growing obesity problem was greatly responsible for the rise. Some experts believe that as many as 65% of males and 55% of females in the UK are obese or overweight.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition where the blood sugar level in the body is higher than normal.

Causes of Diabetes

Blood sugar will rise if:

1) The Pancreas produces little or no insulin. This is called Type 1 diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes usually seen in young adults.

2) The Pancreas produces insulin but it is inadequate for the body's needs and its effectiveness is reduced. This is called Type 2 diabetes or non-insulin dependent diabetes usually affecting the over 40s and overweight people.

There are other types of diabetes:

3) Pregnancy diabetes-also known as gestational diabetes. This is associated with pregnancy and symptoms usually disappear after childbirth. Gestational diabetics have an increased risk of developing diabetes later in life.

4) Secondary diabetes-caused as a result of another condition e.g. disease of the pancreas (tumour, inflammation) or due to certain medications such as diuretics or steroids.

Symptoms of Diabetes

Usually any of the big three i.e. Polyuria (increased urination); Polydipsia (increased thirst) and Polyphagia (increased appetite) and any of the following-weight loss; Itchiness especially of the genital area and recurrent infections of the skin etc.

Some useful tips to reduce the risk of developing diabetes: