Diabetes is characterized by a high level of glucose (sugar) in our blood. Regarding glycemia (the sugar concentration in the blood), when the blood sugar levels are high or too low, we have hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia, respectively.
Normal fasting blood sugar is around 80 – 100 mg/dl, for people without diabetes. If blood sugar levels are higher than normal that means our pancreas is malfunctioning. This malfunction takes different forms depending on whether it is type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes (the most common type of diabetes).
The cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown. In type 1 diabetes, there is a destruction of beta cells in the pancreas. These beta cells are responsible for the production of insulin. People affected by type 1 diabetes need life-long insulin therapy because the pancreas can no longer produce it.*
In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas can produce insulin, but the body cannot make good use of this insulin, causing the pancreas to produce more (and more) insulin until the insulin produced is no longer sufficient. Blood sugar levels start to rise and diabetes appears.
Overweightness and obesity are closely linked to type 2 diabetes.
* Type 1 diabetes was also known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis involves the appearance of symptoms that lead us to consult a doctor. The diagnosis is confirmed when routine tests show an increased blood sugar level (hyperglycemia). A person has diabetes if they have an occasional blood sugar level of 200 mg/dl (2.22 mmol/L) or higher, with symptoms, or if they have a fasting blood sugar level (8 hours) of 126 mg/dL (3.22 mmol/L) or higher on two occasions, separated by a short interval.
WHO CAN DEVELOP DIABETES?
Everyone can develop diabetes. Diabetes is divided into two major groups. Type 1 diabetes, which typically appears in children and young people, but can also appear at any age in life. Type 2 diabetes is typically associated with one’s lifestyle: obesity, sedentary lifestyle, overweightness.
WHO IS AT RISK FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES?
People who have close relatives with diabetes; women who have developed gestational diabetes or children with a weight at birth of four kilos or more; overweight/obese people; people with high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels in the blood. For these people, even if they do not present any symptoms, it is advisable to have routine tests every year.
WHEN TO SEEK MEDICAL HELP?
In children and young people, a doctor should be consulted whenever the typical symptoms of very high blood sugar levels appear: increased thirst, frequent urination, increased hunger, weight loss, irritability, fatigue and dry mouth sensation. If these symptoms appear, we should seek a doctor because chances are the child/youth may have type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes appears mostly in adulthood, on average from the age of 50. The vast majority of people have no symptoms, which makes diagnosis difficult. This is the main reason why there are several undiagnosed cases of diabetes. In addition, when diabetes is discovered at a later stage there may already be several complications associated with the disease. Prevention is the keyword to delay the appearance of complications regarding the treatment of people with diabetes.
Screening is essential if people are to benefit from an early diagnosis, with timely initial treatment.
FOR THOSE WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES
- People with diabetes should take charge of their treatment. To do this, you need to be willing to discuss all your treatment options with the healthcare team. People with diabetes must play an active role in the treatment discussion.
- Diabetes - like other chronic diseases - is different from other diseases that lead us to seek medical care. When we have an infection, cold or fever we want fast and effective treatment. We do it quickly because we know that treatment is limited. In diabetes, treatment is for life, so we have to realise that the management of the disease greatly depends on ourselves and not on the doctor, pharmacist, nutritionist or any other health professional.
- People with diabetes must feel that they have control over their disease.
- It is essential to recognise the importance of patient education in health care. It is also worth mentioning that health professionals need time in this patient’s education process.
- Medical consultation is key to discussing with the person with diabetes everything they need to know about the disease, unveiling some of the myths involving the disease, especially during internet searches.