To mark World Diabetes Day, we thought we’d get some expert advice from one of our DHU Healthcare experts to find out more about what Diabetes is, how to recognise it and how it can be treated.
Tarun Sharma is DHU’s 111 GP Clinical Director and well placed to answer those questions. Here's what he had to say…
“Diabetes is a chronic condition that causes a person’s blood sugar to become too high. Normally, glucose from the diet is absorbed into the blood stream and taken to all cells of the body. Insulin allows the glucose to enter the cells to be used as a source of energy for cell functions. In diabetes there is a lack of adequate amounts of insulin in the body or a resistance to its effects.
There are two main types of Diabetes. Type 1 usually occurs when the immune system attacks the pancreatic cells that create insulin resulting in a rapid loss of insulin. It usually results in an emergency admission leading to diagnosis from the investigations performed. Type 2 is more common and gradual, occurring when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or when the various insulin sensitive cells do not respond adequately to the insulin being produced.
Symptoms
“Common symptoms of Diabetes can include fatigue, increased thirst, urinating more frequently, unexplained weight loss (or the 4T’s – toilet, thirsty, thinner, tired) and a person would usually present to their GP or call 111 as the symptoms are quite vague. Type 1 Diabetes is more frequently diagnosed in young people. Diagnosis is relatively easy and the patient is usually assessed with a urine and/or blood test profile.
“Treating or managing Diabetes is usually, relatively straightforward, although Type 1 involves more clinical help. The Diabetes Nurse Specialists in the hospital and community are incredible and every patient is treated as an individual, especially when it comes to newly diagnosed children. As Type 1 involves the body’s inability to produce insulin, they have to teach the patient how to self-administer insulin, usually with an insulin pen. They teach you to manage it yourself and take control of your condition. A healthy and balanced diet along with lifestyle management is the key too.
“For Type 2, it can be managed through a healthy diet and lifestyle initially but may need tablets or injections later. It is advisable to maintain an optimal Body Mass Index, reduce intake of sugary and fatty foods and increase your exercise levels. It may be tempting to cut out carbs entirely, but we all need sugar to keep the body working so it is not advisable to cut it out completely.
Make you sure you follow your clinician’s advice
“Whilst it can be relatively straightforward to manage, not following the advice and treatment can lead to complications. Diabetes can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. It can also affect the kidneys, cause eye problems and peripheral neuropathy (loss of sensation or abnormal sensations of fingertips and/or feet). It can also delay the heeling of wounds and increase the risk of infection, so it is vital to look after our health.
“In terms of what causes it is usually a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Just as diet and lifestyle can be used to manage Diabetes, a poor diet can be a contributing factor to Type 2. A high BMI can cause a person to become resistant to the effects of insulin being produced.
“So, if you feel unwell, book an appointment with your GP, visit 111 online or speak to one of our Health Advisors. Diabetes needn’t control your life or define you, especially if you look after your health, listen to your body, recognise when something isn’t right and follow the advice of your clinician. This is their area of expertise and their help will ensure you can live a relatively normal life with Diabetes.”