Sugar (Glucose) is a soluble carbohydrates, it plays beneficial roles, by providing energy for human cells, muscles, and nervous system. Sugar travels via the digestive system, and reaches the cells through bloodstream. In normal condition, when blood sugar increases, the pancreas releases the Insulin hormone, that promotes the absorption of glucose from blood into cells.

Have you ever been asking “what happens in case of diabetes?”

In this article you will have access to basic and advanced informations concerning diabetes and its effect on human health.

What is diabetes? How common is diabetes in Australia?

Diabetes is a long-lasting health condition where your body isn’t able to correctly use glucose from meals you consume. This will lead to extra sugar in your bloodstream (higher than 7 mmol/L or 126 mg/dL, NDSS, Australian standards). Two causes are linked to diabetes, either your body doesn’t produce sufficient concentration of insulin or can’t use it properly. Moreover, there are early signs correlated with diabetes: Thirst feelings, frequent urination, unexpected lose of weight, blurred vision, increased hunger, tingling hands and feet, fatigue, dry skin, wound healing slowly and more susceptible to infections. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), the estimated prevalence of registered diabetic patients, as per 2020 statistics, was 1.3 million Australians. These results increased by age as 1 in 5 Australians aged between 80 and 84 years-old were having diabetes, and more frequent in males than females (4.8% vs 3.8% respectively).

How many types of diabetes are there? What are the risk factors?

There are three main types of diabetes, and each one has different starting point and sharing one problem “too much sugar in the bloodstream”

• Type 1 diabetes: this type is an autoimmune disease (your body attacks itself). This reaction prevents your body from producing insulin, for this reason patients should take daily insulin injections. It can develop at any age, but it commonly occurs in young adults and children. Various risk factors have been associated: Genetics (family history), early ages, physical stress, autoantibodies attacking organs and pancreatic dysfunction. Till now, the prevention of type 1 diabetes remains unknown.
• Type 2 diabetes: The most common type of diabetes, where human body doesn’t use properly insulin or it produce low insulin concentration (not enough insulin). It arises in general during middle-age and adults. Linked risk factors are: Genetics, overweight, obesity, middle/older-ages, physically inactive, smoking, high triglyceride levels and history of heart diseases. Type 2 diabetes is a preventable disease by following healthy lifestyle, physical activities, and eating healthy foods.
• Gestational diabetes: commonly known as pregnant diabetes, especially in females that haven’t previously developed diabetes. Babies could later encounter health problems, especially type 2 diabetes. It usually disappears after the delivery of newborn. Several risk factors have been observed, like family history having type 2 and gestational diabetes, also overweight and obesity.

Are there serious complications of diabetes?

The answer is: Yes, diabetic patients may experience particular acute and/or chronic life-threatening complications mainly: ketoacidosis, hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar), coma, small vascular diseases (peridontal diseases, eye diseases, diabetic foot ulcer etc.), large vessel diseases (stroke, coronary artery etc.), decrease in immunity, heart diseases, chronic kidney diseases leading to failure and many others.

What is the definition of diabetic foot ulcer?

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are important complications in diabetes. Uncontrolled sugar blood level, poor hygienic foot care, vessels and nerves diseases are the most common causes implicated in the occurrence of DFU. In normal conditions, when bleeding occurs, human body performs wound healing. In case of diabetes, this process disturbed leading toward foot diseases. In some cases, DFU comes with no pain, due to nerve damage, for this reason it becomes serious and rapidly progressing if not well treated.

What are key points for healthy foot?

Control your blood sugar, survey your feet routinely, good hygiene, wear well-fitting shoes, avoid aggressive physical activities, and of course consult regularly your physician.