Mijas La Cala Lions Diabetic Support Group

What is diabetes?

Diabetes Mellitus is a non-contagious condition that develops when the body is not able to convert sugar into energy in the normal way. This is either because not enough insulin is produced by the body or the body is unable to use the insulin properly to process the sugar, called glucose, in the blood.

Glucose comes from the food we eat and is also produced by the liver out of the reserves of food stored in the body.

Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas, the organ situated just behind the stomach. Insulin is needed for the glucose to get into the cells where it is used to provide energy.

Type 1 diabetes is the condition where not enough, or no insulin is produced by the pancreas. It has to be supplied from outside, usually by injection.

Types 2 diabetes, normally occurring in older people and often called late-onset diabetes, is the condition where the body cannot use the insulin properly, insulin resistance, or not enough insulin is produced.

“Borderline” diabetes is not possible just as “borderline” pregnancy is not possible.

Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to heart attack, stroke, kidney problems, blindness and possibly the amputation of limbs. Understanding and handling the condition correctly is needed to avoid complications developing.  The diabetic who controls the diabetes by self-management of lifestyle and decisions about food, medication and physical activity can live life in the normal way.

Causes of diabetes! People tend to think that diabetes is caused by eating sugar, but that is not correct:

inherited genes,
being overweight and
being physically inactive

are the main causes of diabetes

Symptoms of diabetes, or high blood glucose levels, are frequent urination, extreme thirst, extreme hunger, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurry vision, frequent infections. Be aware though, many people have no symptom at all and develop diabetes 2 as much as ten years before it is diagnosed.  For this reason people aged over 45, and especially those overweight should be sure to have blood glucose tests

Correct treatment of diabetes is about not only feeling well day to day but also preventing or delaying long-term health problems which may arise as complications.