Type 2 Diabetes
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a major cause of ill-health and premature
death world-wide. The condition is on the increase. According to the World
Health Organisation, Type 2 diabetes, which is by far the most common kind,
is largely preventable.
Type 2 Diabetes is a metabolic disease that occurs when
the body can’t process sugar properly. Insulin is a hormone that helps the
body to take sugar out of the blood. During the initial stages of the
illness, people with type 2 diabetes become “resistant” to insulin. Sugar
builds up in the blood. This is harmful, and the rise in blood sugar causes
the symptoms of Diabetes. Eventually, the body may
even stop producing insulin.
Type 2 Diabetes is usually seen in people over the age
of 40, especially those who are overweight or
physically inactive, but Diabetes is no
longer a disease of the elderly. The disease is becoming much more common in
people under the age of 25. The disease is linked to obesity, and many
experts have linked the rise in childhood obesity with increasing levels of
Diabetes.
More Diabetes
information at the World Health Organisation website.
Consequences and Complications
The long term consequences and complications are
serious, and may be disabling. Type 2 diabetes may
knock between 10 and 20 years off a patients lifespan. It will certainly
mean that patients spend potentially 40 years trying to prevent serious
complications.
Complications of Diabetes include:
The Cost
It has been estimated that treating Diabetes costs
Ireland €580 million per year.
The Future
As child obesity levels rise, so will the incidence of
type 2 Diabetes.
The Solution
Type 2 Diabetes is largely preventable. According to
the World Health Organisation, regular
physical activity, a healthy diet, and maintaining a healthy weight are
the best ways to prevent Type 2 Diabetes. See our
Diabetes Prevention page for more tips
on avoiding Diabetes.
