Diabetes is a condition where there is an absence or inadequate secretion of insulin. Insulin is a hormone made by our organ called the pancreas. The function of the insulin is to absorb the glucose from our diet and turn it into energy. In a diabetic patient, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the available insulin is blocked or inactivated by other substances thus preventing it from performing this function. This causes excessive glucose in the blood and after a period of time it can lead to serious complications.

The most common symptoms are: 1] excessive urination 2] tiredness 3] constant thirst 4] frequent hunger and strong appetite 5] weight loss despite the heavy appetite 6] frequent fungal infections especially in the genital areas and 7] blurred vision.

There are two types of diabetes:

1] Type 1: It is insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). No insulin is made in the body and can occur at any age but especially in the young. Treatment is in the form of dietary controls and injections.

2] Type 2: It is non-insulin dependent mellitus (NIDDM). This accounts for 90% of all cases. In type 2, the pancreas produces insufficient insulin. It usually occurs in people over the age of 40 and very often other members of their family also have it.

Additional demands on the pancreas can also cause some pregnant women to develop diabetes. This is gestational diabetes (GDM). About 20% - 50% of GDM patients will develop diabetes in later life.

Diabetes patients should be aware that low blood sugar could occur with the use of tablets or insulin. This condition could be due to: 1] eating too little or too late 2] too much insulin and 3] not enough food before exercise.

Adjustments need to be made if there are variations in the diet or amount of exercise done by the diabetic patient as this can lead to too little glucose in the bloodstream and excess of insulin, thus giving rise to hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).

Symptoms of hypoglycaemia include: 1] lack of concentration 2] sweating 3] irritability 4] blurred vision and 5] shaking and weakness.

The treatment is to promptly take sugar by mouth (in the form of glucose tablets, sugar lumps or glucose drink). Recovery is usually very fast. Occasionally, unconsciousness can occur and hospital treatment is necessary.

Both insulin dependent and non-insulin dependent diabetes are susceptible to complications. Many complications may be serious and can affect almost every part of the body. Long term damage to the feet, eyes and blood vessels are perhaps the most devastating complications to the diabetic patient. Although early detection helps, it can be difficult because many of these complications do not show