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Diabetes
Following on from the recent “Diabetes Week”, organised through Diabetes UK, a large national diabetes charity, here is some information on diabetes - what it is and how it can be managed.
What is diabetes?
There are approximately 2.8 million people in the UK diagnosed with diabetes, and a further 1 million who are unaware they have it. Diabetes occurs if the body is unable to control its sugar (glucose) levels properly, leading to high blood sugar levels. Usually a hormone called insulin is able to control sugar levels by taking excess sugar out of the bloodstream and storing it - to be used as energy, or to convert to fat. With diabetes, either not enough insulin is produced to do this effectively, or the insulin that is produced no longer works effectively.
There are two main types of diabetes:
Type 1 - where no insulin is produced by the body. This is because the cells that produce insulin have been destroyed. It can occur at any age, but is usually diagnosed before the age of 40 - often in childhood.
Type 2 - Often characterised by “insulin resistance” - where the insulin produced by the body no longer works properly. It can also occur if the body starts producing less insulin than it needs. It is often diagnosed in those over 40, although diagnosis in children or younger adults is becoming more common. Approximately 90% of those diagnosed with diabetes have this type.
Symptoms and diagnosis
The main symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes are usually:
Passing urine more frequently than usual, especially at night
Increased thirst
Extreme tiredness
Unplanned weight loss
Blurred vision
Itching
Cuts and wounds that are slow to heal
If you think you may have diabetes, please visit your GP as soon as you can. He/she will conduct a test, and if you are confirmed as having diabetes you will be given information on how your condition can be managed. Untreated diabetes can lead to problems such as cardiovascular disease, eye damage (retinopathy), kidney damage (nephropathy) and nerve damage (neuropathy).
Further information
www.diabetes.org.uk is the site for Diabetes UK and it has a vast array of information and advice on all aspects of diabetes.
www.bda.uk.com is the British Dietetic Association site - information on diabetes can be found in the “Foods Facts” section.
Treating diabetes
Diabetes can be treated using various methods:
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Insulin
Type 1 diabetes always requires insulin injections. Those with type two may require insulin if it becomes very difficult to control their sugar levels through other methods.
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TabletsTablets work in different ways. Some can help the body to store more sugar, others can encourage more insulin production for those with type 2.
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Diet
Having a healthy, balanced diet, in line with the Eatwell Plate principles is an important component of diabetes treatment. There is no special diet that someone with diabetes must follow, but the following key principles are recommended:
Have a regular meal pattern - including breakfast
Include starchy food - especially high fibre varieties - at each meal
Reduce fat intake - especially saturated fat
Eat more fruit and veg
Reduce intake of sugary drinks and snacks
Include beans and lentils in your diet
Aim for two portions of oily fish per week
Keep salt intake below 6g/day
Keep alcohol intake to a moderate (or less) level
Avoid diabetic foods and drinks - these are often expensive, high in fat, and can have a laxative effect
Aim to achieve a healthy weight (have a look at the BMI calculator to discover if you are a healthy weight for your height)
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Exercise
Exercising, or having an active lifestyle is important in the long term management of diabetes.
The current recommendation is to do 30 minutes of moderate level exercise on at least 5 days per week. This doesn't have to be gym based or hours of aerobic classes. It is more important to take part in physical activities that you enjoy. This could be walking, dancing, gardening.
Also, try to be more active in your general day to day life - take the stairs rather than the lift at work, park so that you have a walk into the office, or walk across the office to speak to a colleague rather than using email or an instant messaging service. These little things will all add up.
Have a look at Lifestyle and exercise for more information and ideas.
