Diabetes
Diabetes is characterized by a partial or complete lack of insulin production by the body. The two most common types of diabetes are Type 1 (insulin dependent diabetes) and Type 2 formly known as non-insulin dependent diabetes .
Diabetes
Diabetes is the common term for several metabolic disorders in which the metabolism of various nutrients, such as sugar, is abnormal. Diabetes mellitus, the Latin term for one such disorder, means what passes through and tastes of honey. This name refers to the fact that diabetes mellitus causes the body to excrete large amounts of sugar in the urine. There are two main types of diabetes mellitus, insulin dependent and non-insulin dependent.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent diabetes) is a chronic condition, which is treated with injections of insulin. Injections may be given only once a day. More typically, several injections a day are required. The condition develops when an autoimmune reaction causes the pancreas to stop producing insulin. Autoimmune reaction means that the body creates antibodies against its own cells. When the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, sugar and other nutrients can't be used by cells. Symptoms of insulin dependent diabetes are usually: extreme thirst; frequent urination; sugar in the urine; an acetone-like smell around the body; fatigue; and substantial weight loss over a short period of time. Type 1 diabetes most often affects individuals under 40 years of age. Other terms for Type 1 diabetes include: insulin dependant diabetes; juvenile onset diabetes; and insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a term for several conditions with different causes and degrees of severity. In some people, the ability to produce insulin is reduced. In others, cell sensitivity to insulin is reduced in muscle and fat tissues. Many people manage this condition simply by eating a healthy diet. In overweight individuals, non-insulin dependent diabetes often improves as a result of weight loss alone. Other people must take oral medication that causes the pancreas to produce more insulin or increases cell sensitivity to insulin. Some individuals benefit from insulin treatment. Non-insulin dependent diabetes is much more common than insulin dependent diabetes. Other terms for Type 2 diabetes are, adult onset diabetes, and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).
How common is diabetes?
Exact statistics are hard to pin down, in particular with Type 2 diabetes where it is becoming more prevalent due to lifestyle and diet changes and the fact that people are now living longer. Many people with Type 2 diabetes go undiagnosed until they begin to suffer some of the complications associated with diabetes. The rapidly increasing number of diagnosed cases over the past few years has prompted some experts to label it an epidemic.
With Type 1 diabetes it is estimated that 1 in 500 children will have diabetes. There are approximately 2,500 children with diabetes in Ireland.
It is estimated that there are 200,000 persons with Type 2 diabetes diagnosed in Ireland. It is suspected that there are probably 100,000 with as yet undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes.
APP/KOL/AC 22/02/07