Human Resources

Diabetes Awareness

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Wed, 29 Aug 2012 09:12:00 BST

WHAT IS DIABETES?.....

Diabetes is a common life-long condition related to the level of glucose in the body.

The level of glucose is too high meaning that the body cannot use it properly, as the pancreas does not produce any or enough insulin.  The insulin that is produced doesn’t work properly (insulin resistance).

Insulin helps glucose to enter the body’s cells where it is used for energy.  Glucose, which is produced by the liver, comes from digesting carbohydrate from food and drink, including starchy foods like breads, rice, potatoes, fruit, some dairy products, sugar and other sweet foods.

Did you know?.....

The common form of diabetes is Diabetes Mellitus.

The word diabetes is derived from Greek and means “a siphoning of water through the body”

Mellitus means “sweet as honey”

Types of Diabetes

Type 1 – This develops when the insulin-producing cells have been destroyed and the body is unable to produce any insulin.  It usually appears before the age of 40, especially in childhood.  This may be triggered by a viral or other infection.

This is treated either by insulin injection or pump, a healthy diet and regular physical activity.

Type 2 – This develops when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when the insulin that it does produce doesn’t work properly.  It usually appears in people over 40, though in South Asian and Black people is can appear from the age of 25.  It is becoming increasingly common in children and young people of all ethnicities.

This is treated with a healthy diet and regular physical activity, but medication and/or insulin is often required.

Causes & Risk Factors of Type 2 diabetes

The more risk factors apply to you, the greater your risk of having diabetes.

  • A close member of your family has Type 2 diabetes
  • You’re overweight or if your waist is 31.5inches+ for women , 35 inches+  for Asian men, 37+ inches for white and black men
  • You have high blood pressure or you’ve had a heart attack or stroke
  • You’re a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome and you are overweight
  • You’ve been told you have impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glycaemia
  • If you’re a woman and you’ve had gestational diabetes
  • You have severe mental health problems

 For food and recipe advice why not visit;

Diabetes UK - http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Food_and_recipes/

For further advice on a healthy lifestyle please visit;

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Healthy_lifestyle/

Symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes

  • Passing urine frequently (especially at night)
  • Increased thirst
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Genital itching or regular episodes of thrush
  • Slow healing of wounds and blurred vision