What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose (sugar) in the blood. Glucose is the main source of energy for our bodies and comes from the food we eat.

Insulin is a hormone made in the pancreas, which acts like a key to allow glucose (sugar) to pass from the blood stream into the body cells to provide energy for day to day living.

Diabetes develops when the pancreas is either unable to make insulin or the insulin produced is unable to work effectively. Without insulin doing its job, glucose builds up in the blood stream leading to high blood glucose levels.

See Professor Bumblebee’s Guide to Type 1 Diabetes for more information.

Types of diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes - previously known as insulin dependent or juvenile diabetes - occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce insulin. People with Type 1 diabetes require insulin injections for life, a healthy eating plan and regular physical activity. Most children with diabetes have Type 1 diabetes, but it can have its onset in adult life.

Type 2 diabetes - People with Type 2 diabetes either produce insufficient insulin or the insulin produced does not work effectively. Type 2 diabetes often responds to a healthy eating plan, appropriate exercise and weight reduction, but sometimes tablets and then later, insulin may be required. Type 2 diabetes - previously known as non-insulin dependent diabetes - usually affects people over the age of 40, may run in families and may be associated with being overweight - although there are some exceptions.   Increasingly Type 2 diabetes is being seen in younger people and teenagers, associated with being overweight and inactive.  Other types of diabetes are rare and usually associated with other conditions that damage the pancreas. These types of diabetes are called secondary diabetes.

Why does Type 1 diabetes occur?

People with Type 1 diabetes have a genetic predisposition that makes them more likely to develop diabetes. It remains unknown why the immune system starts damaging the insulin producing cells of the pancreas in genetically susceptible people. It has been suggested that a trigger is needed for the immune system to start damaging the pancreas. These triggers are believed to be factors in the environment, which are still not fully understood.  It is thought that the trigger may be different for different people.

Once triggered, the body’s immune system, which normally protects us from infection, begins to attack the insulin producing cells (beta cells) of the pancreas. The immune system thinks that the beta cells are foreign to the body and starts to destroy them, causing a decrease in insulin production. It can take from a few weeks to many years for all of the beta cells to be destroyed. The pancreas has many beta cells to spare, so symptoms of diabetes do not usually occur until more than 90% of the cells have been destroyed.

Signs and symptoms

• Going to the toilet frequently to pass urine
• Excessive thirst and drinking a lot of fluids
• Weight loss
• Tiredness
• Mood changes
• Skin infections
• Oral or vaginal thrush
• Abdominal pain
• Excess hunger

In babies and young infants, signs and symptoms may be less easily detected. For further information or advice on any issues relating to diabetes in children and teens go to
http://www.diabeteskidsandteens.com.au/links.html