DiabetesI'm a little overweight and my family are always saying that I could get diabetes. But I always thought this was something you were born with and not something you could get from being a couple of stone heavier than normal.
Don't fight over it because both you and your family are right! Diabetes Mellitus occurs when there is excessive sugar in the blood but there are in fact two distinct types of diabetes.
Type I diabetes is also known as juvenile-onset diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes and happens when the body produces insufficient insulin for the body's needs. It mainly occurs in young people and children and it requires the depleted insulin to be replaced through regular injections.
Diabetes II or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mainly affects older people and those who are overweight. It occurs when more sugar is consumed than the insulin produced by the body can handle.
The pancreas is the organ in the body that manufactures insulin, the function of which is to control the balance of sugar (glucose) in the body.
How would I know if I had diabetes?
The symptoms of diabetes include an excessive and frequent need to pass urine, excessive thirst, tiredness and lack of energy. Some people notice an increased tendency to develop infections especially those of the skin. Weight loss is commonly associated with Type I diabetes. A blood test, usually done after fasting overnight, will show how much sugar is in the system and this test is used to confirm the diagnosis.
Can diabetes be cured?
Although it cannot be cured, the condition can be controlled through a variety of means. People with early stages of Type II diabetes may be able to reverse the illness by a combination of sensible weight loss, avoidance of sugar and refined carbohydrates and increased exercise. Diabetes often responds well to a balanced diet and regular exercise regime. If, however, the condition cannot be controlled through these measures alone, medication will be needed. In some cases, and particularly in Type I diabetes, insulin injections are required.