Diabetes (symptoms, treatment)

During digestion most foods are converted into a sugar called glucose.  Glucose is a simple sugar that is the main fuel source for the body.  Once food has been converted into glucose, it moves into the bloodstream where it is circulated around the body.  It then passes into the body's cells to be used as energy. 

 

For glucose to pass from the bloodstream into the cells, insulin is required.  Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas - a large gland that sits behind the stomach.  Specialised cells in the pancreas, called beta cells, automatically produce the correct amounts of insulin to move the glucose into the cells. Insulin production rises and falls throughout the day in response to the body's needs.  However in people with diabetes, there is a problem with the production of insulin or with the body's ability to use the insulin.

 

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder, which means a problem with the process by which food is digested and used as energy by the body.  It is a chronic (long-term) condition characterised by high levels of glucose in the blood (hyperglycaemia).  If not treated it can cause long-term complications such as heart disease, kidney damage, stroke, circulatory problems and damaged vision.

 

Signs and symptoms

 

The onset of symptoms in Type 1 diabetes is typically quite sudden and symptoms can be severe.  However the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes tend to manifest gradually, so much so that they may go unnoticed.

 

When hyperglycaemia occurs, the body tries to get rid of the excess glucose by excreting it in the urine.  This increases urine output and can lead to dehydration.  At the same time the body's cells are starved of the glucose energy they need. The combination of these factors produces the common symptoms of diabetes.  These may include:

 

• Weight loss
• Excessive thirst
• Excessive urination
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Irritability
• Yeast infections
• Blurry vision
• Skin wounds or infections that are slow to heal
• Numbness and tingling in the feet.

Treatment

 

While diabetes cannot be cured, it can be controlled.  The aim of treatment is to maintain healthy blood glucose levels (ie: between 4.0 mmol/L and 8.0 mmol/L) and to prevent diabetic complications.  This will normally involve balancing lifestyle factors (eg: diet and exercise) and medications.

 

In order for a person to effectively control the diabetes, it is important that they are treated and monitored by a doctor.  Usually this is the person's GP, however other healthcare professionals will be included in a wider "diabetes management" team to assist with ongoing education, monitoring and treatment.  This team may include a diabetes specialist (endocrinologist), diabetes nurse educator, dietitian, foot care specialist (podiatrist) and an eye specialist (ophthalmologist).

 

Health promotion, early detection, knowledge of the condition and effective monitoring of blood glucose levels are also considered to be important.  Therefore, as part of the nation-wide management of diabetes all people in New Zealandwith the condition are entitled to a free diabetes check with their GP or practice nurse once a year.