Diabetes

Diabetes Diabetes mellitus, or simply diabetes, is a group of metabolic diseases in which a person has high

blood sugar, either because the body does not produce enough insulin , or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced.This high blood sugar produces the classical symptoms of

polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (increased thirst) and polyphagia (increased hunger

Types of diabetes

The three major types of diabetes are:

Type 1 diabetes (previously known as insulin-dependent diabetes)

Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease where the body's immune system destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This type of diabetes, also

known as juvenile-onset diabetes, accounts for 10-15% of all people with the disease. It can appear at any age,

although commonly under 40, and is triggered by environmental factors such as viruses, diet or

chemicals in people genetically predisposed. People with type 1 diabetes must inject themselves with

insulin several times a day and follow a careful diet and exercise plan .

Type 2 diabetes (previously known as non-insulin dependent diabetes)

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, affecting 85-90% of all people with the

disease. This type of diabetes, also known as late-onset diabetes, is characterised by insulin

resistance and relative insulin deficiency. The disease is strongly genetic in origin but lifestyle factors such as excess weight, inactivity, high

blood pressure and poor diet are major risk factors for its development. Symptoms may not show for

many years and, by the time they appear, significant problems may have developed. People with type 2 diabetes are twice as likely to suffer cardiovascular disease. Type 2 diabetes may be

treated by dietary changes, exercise and/or tablets. Insulin injections may later be required

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)

GDM, or carbohydrate intolerance, is first diagnosed during pregnancy through an oral glucose tolerance

test. Between 5.5 and 8.8% of pregnant women develop GDM in Australia. Risk factors for GDM include a family history of diabetes, increasing maternal age, obesity and being a member of a community or ethnic group with a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. While the carbohydrate intolerance usually returns to

normal after the birth, the mother has a significant risk of developing permanent diabetes while the baby is more likely to develop obesity and impaired glucose tolerance and/or diabetes later in life. Self-care and

dietary changes are essential in treatment.

Causes of diabetes

Type 1 diabetes causesType 1 diabetes is caused by the immune system

destroying the cells in the pancreas that make insulin .

This causes diabetes by leaving the body without enough insulin to function normally .

This is called an autoimmune reaction, or autoimmune cause, because the body is

attacking itself .There is no specific diabetes causes, but the

following triggers may be involved:Viral or bacterial infectionChemical toxins within food

Unidentified component causing autoimmune reaction

Underlying genetic disposition may also be a type 1 diabetes cause .

Type 2 diabetes causesType 2 diabetes causes are usually multifactorial - more

than one diabetes cause is involved. Often, the most overwhelming factor is a family history of type 2

diabetes .This is the most likely type 2 diabetes cause .

There are a variety of risk factors for type 2 diabetes, any or all of which increase the chances of developing

the condition.These include  :

ObesityLiving a sedentary lifestyle

Increasing age Bad diet

Other type 2 diabetes causes such as pregnancy or illness can be type 2 diabetes risk factors.

Gestational diabetes causes The causes of diabetes in pregnancy also

known as gestational diabetes remain unknown. However, there are a number of risk factors that increase the chances of

developing this condition:Family history of gestational diabetes

Overweight or obeseSuffer from polycystic ovary syndromeHave had a large baby weighing over 9lbCauses of gestational diabetes may also be

related to ethnicity - some ethnic groups have a higher risk of gestational diabetes .

The effects

How Does Diabetes Affect The Body?Diabetes has a substantial affect on the body

How to...Test your blood glucose

Treat a hypoTreat high sugar levels

Knowing how diabetes affects your body can help you look after your body and prevent diabetic complications from developing.

Many of effects of diabetes stem from the same guilty parties, namely high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels and a lack of

blood glucose control.Signs of diabetes

When undiagnosed or uncontrolled, the effects of diabetes on the body can be noticed by the classic symptoms of diabetes,

namely:Increased thirst

Frequent need to urinateFatigue

Blurred vision and Tingling or pain in the hands, feet and/or legs

Diabetes in the UAE Diabetes is currently the fastest

growing debilitating disease in the world. In the UAE it is estimated that one out of five people aged 20 to 79 lives with this disease, while a similar

percentage of the population is at risk of developing it. This year, the UAE ranked 2nd highest worldwide

for diabetes prevalence ",

Diabetes in the worldApproximately 180 million people in the world have diabetes. The

number of people with diabetes grows each year•Worldwide 3.2 million diabetes-related deaths are reported

annually, a number equivalent to that of HIV/AIDS-related deaths .•One in every 20 deaths is attributed to diabetes equating to 8,700

deaths per day, or 6 deaths every minute .•In the age group of 35-64 years, 1 out of 10 deaths are attributed

to diabetes, a ratio that increases to 1 out of 4 in certain vulnerable populations .

•Diabetes contributes significantly to premature adult mortality – out of all deaths of diabetic people under the age of 35, three-

fourths are attributable directly to the disease .•Based on 2005 figures, at least 171 million people worldwide have

diabetes. This number is expected to double by the year 2030 .•The condition is worse in developing countries, where the number

of people afflicted by the disease are expected to increase by 150% by the year 2030

Done by : Salma Obaid