by Patricia Venables

Created on: January 19, 2007   Last Updated: April 18, 2007

Millions of people in the developed world have diabetes, and it is a growing problem.
The majority of sufferers have Type 2 diabetes which occurs when the body is not making enough insulin to regulate the level of glucose in the blood, or when the body is unable to process the insulin that is there.
This type of diabetes was traditionally found in adults, but an increasing number of children are now being diagnosed, and the disease is often linked to obesity.

What are the causes of diabetes?

Diabetes is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
It is now generally accepted that the food we eat can be a trigger for diabetes. Scientists at various research laboratories have regularly reported that the high- sugar, high-fat Western diet may increase our risk of Type 2 diabetes considerably.
There is no doubt that obesity plays a huge part in the development of diabetes, and people with high blood pressure or circulation problems are also more likely to develop the disease.

Common Symptoms

Diabetes can develop very slowly, and symptoms are sometimes so vague that people can dismiss them as just a case of being slightly unwell. This is why a large percentage of people remain undiagnosed. Very often diabetes is discovered when a patient is being tested for something else entirely.
Some of the more noticeable symptoms of diabetes are feeling thirsty all the time, increased tiredness, and unexplained weight loss.
Whatever the symptoms, early diagnosis is crucial to reduce the risk of serious long-term complications such as kidney problems, nerve damage and sight loss. These can develop over time because high levels of glucose in the blood can permanently damage blood vessels.

Managing Type 2 Diabetes

Many people with Type 2 diabetes are able to control the condition by regulating their diet and by exercising. This, of course, will have the added benefit of helping them to lose any excess weight. However, as well as diet and exercise, there are those who will need to take medication or have insulin injections to lower blood glucose levels.

Living with Diabetes

So, if you have just been diagnosed with diabetes, what changes do you have to make to your lifestyle? One of the first things people worry about is food and drink and what they have to avoid. A diabetic diet sheet should be available from your medical practitioner, but in general, if you avoid fizzy drinks, and processed foods, and eat as much fresh produce as possible, you will be surprised at how well you can actually eat! Because of it's high sugar content, alcohol is best avoided, but some people do find that the occasional glass of wine can be tolerated without adverse effects.
The fact to bear in mind is that a healthy diet for people with diabetes is the same as that recommended for everyone, low in fat, salt, and sugar, and including starchy foods like bread and pasta.

There is no doubt that diabetes is a serious condition for which there is no cure, but properly diagnosed and managed, it is possible to stay healthy and live a normal life.

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