More About Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Without insulin, blood glucose levels are not regulated in the body. Hyperglycaemia, or high blood sugar, is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and over time leads to serious damage to many of the body's systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels.
Types of Diabetes
Type 1
Type 1 diabetes is characterised by the body’s inability to create sufficient levels of insulin, which is a condition caused by an autoimmune reaction where the body’s defence system attacks the cells that produce insulin. The causes of Type 1 diabetes are not yet known but are linked to a combination of genetic and environmental conditions.
Type 2
Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes, accounting for almost 90% of all diabetes cases. People with this type of diabetes have insulin resistance, a condition where the body does not process insulin properly leading to increased levels of blood glucose. The common causes of Type 2 diabetes are poor diets, inactive lifestyles, family history, obesity and high blood pressure.
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes is diabetes that is diagnosed for the first-time during pregnancy. This type of diabetes is often temporary and blood glucose levels return to normal post-delivery. However, in some cases, this is irreversible.
Source: International Diabetes Federation and Mayo Clinic