Diabetes – What we need to know

www.diabetes.ie


The World Health Organisation (WHO) describes the condition known as Diabetes as:

A chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces…overtime it leads to serious damage to many of the body’s systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels.

About five years ago one of my best friends told me he was getting out of bed several times a night, to urinate. Understandably this caused my pal considerable distress. I urged him to get this checked out; he suspected it may be kidney damage. Eventually a diagnosis was confirmed – he had diabetes and his over-active bladder was a symptom of this increasingly common problem.

I have two cousins who are diabetic and daily injections are required to keep them healthy. However they are two of the brightest people you could meet and their diabetes has done little to affect, adversely, their lives. More and more of the population are becoming diabetic. The WHO say that five per cent of all deaths, each year, globally are caused by diabetes. Furthermore they say that deaths from diabetes could grow by over 50 per cent in the next 10 years.

None of us can live completely healthy lives – at some point we will experience illness. However could we avoid diabetes? What we consume will have a strong bearing on our health. The Hindu online (www.hinduonnet.com), in relation to diabetes, says: “there is more stress, less physical activity, faulty dietary habits, leading to…diabetes – a lifelong, lifestyle disorder.” In the same article the chilling truth of this condition is highlighted to us: “People with pre-diabetes don’t often have symptoms and diagnosis can only be made on the basis of 75g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).”

We are sleepwalking our way to an epidemic of diabetes and food producers should be compelled, by law, to educate consumers of the risks of developing diabetes, or other conditions, from food products. Commercial gain should not get in the way of explaining these dangers to the public.


There are two types of diabetes:

Type 1: More persistent among the under 35 age group. Needs injections of Insulin to stay well.

Type 2: People with this type are non-insulin dependent and are usually over 40 years of age. This type responds well to weight loss, by having a better diet.

Early screening, experts tell us, is vital in tackling diabetes. Lifestyle changes, it is said, can provide the key to unlock this growing health problem.

Symptoms that may indicate you have diabetes are:

Lack of energy

Tiredness

Extreme thirst

Frequent passing of urine

Unexplained weight loss

Blurred sight

An infection that persists


If you think you might have diabetes you should make a visit to your GP where a brief blood sample will clarify matters. Or if you are worried talk to a friend/acquaintance that is diabetic. A dietician can offer you advice on what food you eat (or should be eating) and pharmacies may also be able to provide information. But nothing can replace a consultation with your doctor. Remember: It is ne