Diabetes is a chronic lifelong illness, which occurs when the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high and the body cannot use it properly.
Diabetes occurs when beta cells, responsible for producing insulin in the pancreas, do not function properly; they either fail to produce insulin, don’t produce enough insulin or the insulin produced does not work as it should; this leads to diabetes and can lead to further complications associated with the illness.
Insulin is a hormone which controls blood glucose levels by allowing glucose to enter the cells to give us energy. Insulin is vital for life.
Signs and symptoms
The signs and symptoms of diabetes can be attributed to other things, such as ageing or a stressful lifestyle, so it is important to be observant regarding changes to your health.
If you have a family history of diabetes, or you have any combination of the following symptoms, you should make an appointment and get tested.
- Increased urination
- Increased thirst
- Slow healing wounds
- General weakness and tiredness
- Blurred vision
- Weight loss
- Dry/itchy skin
- Recurrent inflammation or abscesses
- Genital itching or thrush
