What is diabetes?
Diabetes is an illness which occurs as a result of problems with the production and supply of insulin in the body.
Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose, a form of sugar. We use glucose as a source of energy to provide power for our muscles and other tissues. Our bodies transport glucose in our blood. In order for our muscles and other tissues to absorb glucose from our blood, we need a hormone called insulin. Without insulin, our bodies cannot obtain the necessary energy from our food.
Insulin is made in a large gland behind the stomach called the pancreas. It is released by cells called beta cells. When a person has diabetes, either their pancreas does not produce the insulin they need, or their body cannot use its own insulin effectively.
As a result, people with diabetes cannot use enough of the glucose in the food they eat. This leads to the amount of glucose in the blood increasing. This high level of glucose or "high blood sugar" is called hyperglycaemia. High levels of glucose in the blood can lead to serious complications.
At present there is no cure for diabetes.
The International Diabetes Federation estimates that there are over 300 million people around the world with diabetes. This total is expected to reach close to 500 million within 20 years. Each year a further 7 million people develop diabetes.
Downloads:
Definition and Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus and Intermediate Hyperglycaemia - updated guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).
