What Is Diabetes?

In one of our previous articles we talked about the difference between the 2 main types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2. In this article we discuss more about what diabetes actually is.

You may have been told that you are diabetic or that someone you know has diabetes. If you have been wondering what diabetes is, then this article will explain more.

Diabetes is a condition where the level of blood glucose (sugar) is persistently raised above the normal range because the body doesn't properly use or produce insulin.

What happens to the body in diabetes?

For most people when they eat, food is broken down and some of it is turned into glucose (sugar). As the glucose levels rise in the blood, the pancreas releases insulin. The job of insulin is to help transport glucose into the muscles where it provides energy for the body. By transporting the glucose from the blood to the muscles the amount of of glucose in the blood falls.

For people who have diabetes there isn't enough insulin or the insulin does not work properly to transfer glucose from the blood to the muscles. This means that there will be more glucose in the blood then there should be and so blood glucose levels are raised more than normal. It also means that not enough glucose is getting to the muscles which causes fatigue.

Signs of diabetes

Someone with undiagnosed or uncontrolled diabetes may have the following signs and symptoms:

Increased thirst

Frequent urination

Extreme tiredness

Extreme hunger

Blurred vision

Unusual weight loss

Recurrent infections

Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet

You could still have diabetes if you do not have the above symptoms but the above are common indicators that something may be wrong. With type 1 diabetes the symptoms usually come on quickly and are very obvious. Whilst with type 2 diabetes some people may not know they even have it. That's because often there are no symptoms or the symptoms are not severe and people just put up with or ignore it.

If you suspect you may have diabetes you must visit a physician for diagnosis.