WHAT IS DIABETES?
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas is no longer able to make insulin, or when the body cannot make good use of the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas, that acts like a key to let glucose from the food we eat pass from the blood stream into the cells in the body to produce energy. All carbohydrate foods are broken down into glucose in the blood. Insulin helps glucose get into the cells.
Not being able to produce insulin or use it effectively leads to raised glucose levels in the blood (known as hyperglycaemia). Over the long-term high glucose levels are associated with damage to the body and failure of various organs and tissues.
COMPLICATIONS
OF DIABETES
Complications are the negative effects of having a condition or illness, and there are a range of complications that may develop with diabetes.
ARE YOU AT RISK?
Find out if you are at risk & how you can try & prevent type 2 diabetes If you have type 2 diabetes, it is best if it is diagnosed early.
UNDERSTANDING TYPE 1 DIABETES
Diabetes is the result of the body not creating enough insulin to keep blood glucose (sugar) levels in the normal range.
UNDERSTANDING TYPE 2 DIABETES
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. For many people (but not all) it can be prevented through following a healthy lifestyle.
PRE-DIABETES
Pre-diabetes occurs when the glucose (sugar) in your blood is higher than normal, but not high enough to be called diabetes.
GESTATIONAL DIABETES
Gestational diabetes occurs when a pregnant woman has high levels of glucose in her blood. High blood glucose is caused because the mother can’t produce enough insulin.