Diabetes: Symptoms and Effects

Diabetes Overview

• Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin or the body can't effectively use the insulin it produces.

Insulin and Hyperglycaemia

• Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels.
• Hyperglycaemia, or raised blood sugar, is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and can lead to serious damage to the body's systems over time.

Symptoms of Diabetes

• Symptoms of diabetes may occur suddenly, but in Type 2 diabetes, they can be mild and take many years to be noticed.
• Symptoms include:
  • Feeling very thirsty
  • Needing to urinate more often than usual
  • Blurred vision
  • Feeling tired
  • Losing weight unintentionally

Complications of Diabetes

• Uncontrolled diabetes can damage blood vessels in the heart, eyes, kidneys, and nerves over time.
• People with diabetes have a high risk of health problems, including heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure.
• Diabetes can cause permanent vision loss due to damaged blood vessels in the eyes.
• Nerve damage and poor blood flow can cause foot ulcers and potentially lead to amputation.

Type 1 Diabetes

• Type 1 diabetes, previously known as insulin-dependent or juvenile diabetes, requires daily administration of insulin.
• There are approximately 9 million people with type 1 diabetes, mostly in high-income countries.
• The cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown, and there is no known way to prevent it.

Type 2 Diabetes

• Type 2 diabetes affects how the body uses glucose for energy and can lead to high levels of blood sugar if left untreated.
• Over time, type 2 diabetes can cause serious damage to the body, especially to nerves and blood vessels.
• Type 2 diabetes is often preventable, and factors that contribute to developing diabetes include:
  • Unhealthy diet
  • Physical inactivity
  • Obesity
  • Family history
  • Age

Detecting Diabetes

• The best way to detect diabetes early is to get regular checkups and blood tests with a healthcare provider.
• Diabetes can be mild and may take several years to be noticed, with symptoms similar to other conditions, making early detection crucial.