Robin Ellis

Even if you know what Diabetes is–others–perhaps some close to you–may not have a firm grip on what it is and what causes it. There’s a lot of unhelpful ignorance about. Family and friends may not take it seriously, since there may be no obvious symptoms.

I often find it hard to explain–and I’m always on the lookout for clear definitions.

Here are a couple that have helped me…(with apologies to those who are already well-briefed!).

From Diabetes UK:

“Diabetes is a condition in which the glucose (sugar) in the blood is higher than normal.

Insulin, a substance produced by the pancreas, helps to control the blood glucose level.

In diabetes there is a problem with the production of insulin.

There are two main types of diabetes:

1). Type 1 diabetes which occurs when the pancreas stops producing insulin. This usually develops quickly and before the age of 40. It is always treated with diet and insulin.

2). Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the insulin it does produce does not work properly. It usually develops gradually in middle and later life and is treated by diet alone, diet and tablets or diet and insulin. The majority of people with Type 2 diabetes are overweight. Losing weight and maintaining the weight loss is a major part of treatment as it helps insulin work more effectively.

Eating a healthy diet is an essential part of the treatment for diabetes and will help to control your blood glucose levels, blood cholesterol and blood pressure.

Eat regular meals and do not miss meals.”

The above says it all–an excellent summation–but I also like the metaphor of fueling the car in the following explanation:

“Normally, the cells of the body use the simple sugar glucose as fuel, the way a car uses gasoline. Glucose comes from starchy or sweet foods we eat, and the hormone insulin escorts it into the muscle cells to power our movements. Glucose also passes into our brain cells to power our thoughts. In type 2 diabetes, the cells resist insulin’s action, so glucose has trouble getting into the cells.”

“If glucose can’t get into the cells, it builds up in the blood. It is as if gasoline coming out of a gas pump somehow can’t get into your gas tank, and it ends up spilling over the side of your car, coming in through your car windows, and dribbling all over the pavement. It is a dangerous situation.”

“The abnormally high levels of glucose circulating in the bloodstream are toxic to the blood vessels, especially the tiny blood vessels of the eyes, the kidneys, the extremities, and the heart.”

My mother, who developed Type 1 diabetes in her thirties, died of a sudden heart attack at the age of 68.

Which is why, when I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes– with no symptoms, I took it seriously.