What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition about which most people have a certain amount of knowledge or, at least, a set of beliefs that may or may not be true. For many, this extends no further than knowing that diabetes is caused by having too much sugar in the blood, the remedy for which is to take, on a regular basis, tablets or a substance called insulin which has to be injected. While this is broadly correct as far as it goes, other common beliefs, such as that diabetes is caused by eating too many sweets, are entirely mistaken! Most people know someone - a relative, friend, work colleague or acquaintance - who has diabetes. We may be aware that the person has to eat regularly but mostly avoids sweet foods and that he (or she) carries medication about with him. Perhaps we also know that the person sometimes has to check his sugar levels by carrying out blood glucose tests at home.

Of course, if you yourself, or a close member of your family, is already affected by diabetes, you will know a great deal more than this. However, it is vital that we should all be better informed, whether we are at present directly affected or not, for one very important reason. This is the fact that the incidence of both of the two main categories of diabetes is increasing. In particular, the number of people affected by the main form of the condition is soaring, not only in the UK but in many other countries as well.

It is set to reach epidemic proportions and to rank alongside illnesses such as AIDS in presenting a huge challenge to public health on a global scale. If you or someone close to you develops diabetes, the more you understand about the condition, the better prepared you can be. Of course, the first source of information and guidance for people with diabetes is the clinical diabetes team involved in their care. But it is further hoped that the information included here will support that given by medical experts and provide a useful source of reference for individuals and their families affected by diabetes.

In the following pages, for convenience, topics are introduced and discussed under a series of headings. However, even medical experts and scientists have found that diabetes is not a condition that fits neatly into categories. It can be likened to the overlapping and intersecting circles of ripples that occur when pebbles are thrown into a pool of water. Inevitably one aspect overlaps with and affects another, and in addition the treatment, control and management of an individual's diabetes change with time and circumstance. Hence, where necessary, a topic may appear under more than one heading. Finally, although there are facts, symptoms and known potential consequences associated with this condition, perhaps the most important aspect is that each person's diabetes is unique.

In the majority of cases of newly diagnosed diabetes, even the most experienced specialist would not wish to predict the future health of the person concerned. Many individual factors - physical, psychological and emotional - affect the way in which people manage and cope with their diabetes. The good news is that most are able to lead long, active and fulfilling lives, just like anyone else and the whole emphasis in modern treatment is to enable those with diabetes to do just that. The Olympic athlete Sir Steve Redgrave, winner of five gold medals for rowing, is on record as saying that he believed his career was over when he was diagnosed with diabetes. However, with the encouragement of his consultant and diabetes care team, he went on to fulfil his greatest ambition in the Sydney Olympics in the year 2000.

• Background to diabetes
• Diagnosis of diabetes
• Defining diabetes
• Diabetes symptoms
• Conditions that contribute to diabetes