About diabetes

Diabetes is having too much glucose (sugar) in the blood. This happens because the pancreas cannot make enough insulin. Insulin is a natural hormone which helps glucose enter the body's cells, where it is used for energy. People with Type 1 diabetes do not make any (or very little) insulin, thought to be due to an immune system problem; people with Type 2 diabetes produce inadequate insulin or become resistant to insulin, mostly due to obesity; and diabetes in pregnancy (gestational diabetes) can occur due to increased insulin demands during pregnancy (usually resolves after the birth).

Glucose is energy source

Glucose is an essential source of energy for the brain and is one of the sources of energy for the body. Glucose in the bloodstream comes from carbohydrate foods, which are changed into glucose after we have eaten them. Glucose also comes from the liver, which converts fat and protein into glucose to make sure there is a constant glucose supply even when we are not eating.

For people without diabetes the level of glucose in the body is between 4 and 8 mmol/L.

Insulin transports and regulates glucose

Insulin is produced in the pancreas and has two jobs in the body - the first is to transport glucose from the blood supply into fat and muscle cells, where it can be used for energy. The second is to switch off the liver once the level of glucose in the blood is high enough.

Diabetes is the result of the body not creating enough insulin to keep blood glucose levels in the normal range. It cannot presently be cured but it can be controlled and people with diabetes can lead a full and active life.

Three types of diabetes

Type 1: People who do not make any insulin (or very little) have Type 1 diabetes. Because the immune system destroys the pancreas they have stopped making insulin, and their body is unable to use glucose for energy. They tend to lose weight very quickly because their body is actually being starved.

Their health rapidly deteriorates and they would die if insulin were not given. They therefore require insulin by injection plus healthy eating to stay alive and maintain good health.

More on Type 1 diabetes

Type 2: People with Type 2 diabetes are still making insulin but the production is sluggish or their body is resistant to insulin. Becoming overweight is almost always the cause of the body becoming resistant to insulin and can trigger Type 2 diabetes, even in young people. Type 2 diabetes can be treated with weight loss and regular physical activity. Medication in the form of tablets is often required to reduce the resistance to insulin or to stimulate the pancreas to make more insulin.

Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition in that the pancreas continues to get more sluggish over time. People with Type 2 diabetes may eventually require insulin.

More on Type 2 diabetes

Diabetes of pregnancy (gestational diabetes): Gestational diabetes is when a pregnant woman has high levels of glucose in her blood. High blood glucose is caused because the mother cannot produce enough insulin (a pregnant woman's insulin needs are two to three times that of someone who is not pregnant).

More on diabetes of pregnancy

Who is at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes?

Find out if you have a high risk of having or developing diabetes:

Do any two of these fit you?

• European 40 years of age or older
• diabetes in your family (grandparents, parents, brothers or sisters)
• Maori, Asian, Middle Eastern or Pacific Island descent aged 30 years or older
• high blood pressure
• overweight (especially if you carry most of your weight around your waist)
• diagnosed as having Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT).

Or have you had?

• a large baby weighing more than 9lbs / 4kg, or have had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy)
• high blood glucose in pregnancy
• high blood glucose in the past.

Get tested

If so, you should have your blood glucose tested by a health professional once every year.

Lifestyle changes reduce risk

And make the following changes to reduce your risk:

• stay physically active and get regular daily exercise (walking is good)
• eat healthy food
• keep your weight in a healthy range.

Type 2 diabetes can be managed more effectively if it is diagnosed early. You can prevent many problems with diabetes if you know about it early and take action to manage it. If you find you have a high risk of developing diabetes but don't yet have it, you can take action that may prevent you ever getting diabetes.

Diabetes

 Original material provided by Diabetes New Zealand, 2008. Edited by everybody, June 2011.