DIABETES What Is It? Diabetes occurs when someone has too much glucose (sugar) in the blood. Sugar in the blood comes from the food we eat eg. bread, pasta, potatoes, fruit and more. Insulin is produced by special cells in the pancreas called beta cells. The pancreas lies behind your stomach. Insulin acts as a key to allow sugar from the food you eat to go into your cells to give you energy to do whatever you need to do. If you don't use it to run around, it is stored in your liver for when you do need it. If your insulin is not being produced or not working properly, the sugar can't get into your cells and stays in your blood stream. This means the level of sugar in your blood gets too high.    Diabetes can be classified into two main forms, referred to as Type 1 and Type 2.   Type 1 Type 1 Diabetes is one of the most common childhood diseases and makes up about 10% of all people with diabetes in Australia. It usually occurs in young people but can occur at other ages. In this type the body's immune system, which usually protects us from infection begins to attack the beta cells of the pancreas so that insulin stops being produced and must be replaced by between one and four injections per day. There may be gradual or sudden symptoms: Increased thirst and drinking Going to the toilet to pass urine a lot especially during the night. Mood changes Tiredness Skin infections which are slow to get better Decreased work school performance because of feeling unwell Weight loss How Do You Get Type 1 Diabetes? The cause of this type is complex and not fully understood. We do know that Type 1 diabetes occurs because of a combination of a person's genes and some things in the environment. If a person has inherited the tendency to develop diabetes and comes into contact with a trigger in the environment, the diabetes may develop. The triggers are not well understood, but may be common things harmless to most people, for example, common viruses or things that we eat. These triggers may be different for different people   What Can Be Done About Type 1 Diabetes? Type 1 diabetes at present cannot be cured but can be managed. Treatment consists of lifelong insulin injections, regular blood glucose level tests, a regular healthy eating plan, and regular exercise.   Type 2 Type 2 diabetes makes up about 85% of all diabetes in Australia. It is sometimes called a lifestyle problem but also is related to heredity. It usually occurs in people over 40 and may be associated with being overweight, not doing enough exercise and eating too much fat in the diet. Type 2 diabetes is being seen increasingly in teenagers and thought to be for the same reasons as in older people. There may be mild and gradual symptoms: Tiredness. Mild thirst and going to the toilet to pass urine frequently, especially at night. Tingling in the feet Infections which are slow to get better In some people diabetes may be a result of a medical condition or use of particular drugs.   How Do You Get Type 2 Diabetes?  Some people have a greater risk of developing diabetes. They are: People who are overweight, have high blood pressure or an existing heart disease. People with a family history of Type 2 diabetes Certain population groups eg: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, Asians and Pacific Islanders. People who smoke People who eat an unhealthy diet. People who do little exercise. What Can Be Done About Type 2 Diabetes? Regular exercise, a balanced diet (healthy food), and medication help to maintain and manage Type 2 diabetes. Healthy living means good control of blood sugar levels, and maintaining a healthy weight. If you have diabetes or want to prevent diabetes, try to: Enjoy Healthy Eating. Get plenty of physical activity Don't smoke Your doctor or local hospital can provide you with specific information about the different forms of treatment. You can also contact Diabetes Australia in your state or territory.   Facts Diabetes cannot be caught from other people Type 1 diabetes is not caused by eating too much sugar or any other foods. You cannot grow out of Type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes doesn't change into Type 2 diabetes as you grow older. Diabetes currently affects 120 million people worldwide and is expected to increase to 240 million by 2010 and 300 million by 2025. Diabetes is now one of the six National Health Priorities for Australia. Recent estimates from the International Diabetes Institute show that the number of cases will increase from the present 750,000 to 1,300,000 persons in the year 2010.