WHAT IS DIABETES?

Diabetes (or Diabetes Mellitus) is a metabolic disorder in which the body either cannot produce insulin or cannot properly use the insulin it produces. This leads to high levels of glucose in the blood, which can damage organs, blood vessels and nerves3. The body needs glucose, a simple sugar that comes from the food we eat and drink, as a source of energy. Insulin is the key to using this glucose as energy. With diabetes there is either not enough insulin or the body is not able to use the insulin it produces. The result is hyperglycemia: a higher than normal amount of glucose in the blood. What is insulin? Insulin is a hormone made in the beta cells of the pancreas called the Islets of Langerhans What is the primary function of insulin? When insulin is released into the blood, it travels to the cells and works on specialized receptors on the cell membranes. This allows the cells to open and let the glucose in. Once the glucose is in the cell, the cell transforms it into energy. Insulin has an important role to play in this transformation. Types of Diabetes4,5
TYPES OF DIABETES KEY POINTS WHAT HAPPENS

Type 1 Diabetes

Usually, but not always, diagnosed in children and adolescents. About 10% of people with diabetes have Type 1 diabetes.

Occurs when the pancreas is unabe to produce insulin, a hormone that controls the amount of glucose in the blood.

Type 2 Diabetes

Usually develops in adulthood, although increasing numbers of children in high risk populations are being diagnosed.

Occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body does not effectively use the insulin that is produced.

Gestational Diabetes

A temporary condition that occurs during pregnancy and usually goes away after the baby is born. Affects approximately 3.7% of non-Aboriginal women and 818% of women in the Aboriginal population. Women who develop gestational diabetes are at increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes sometime in the future5.

Occurs during pregnancy when the body cannot produce enough insulin to handle the effects of a growing baby and changing hormone levels5.

Key Point: In all types of diabetes, the bodys use of insulin is not effective, either
because the pancreas is not producing it or because the cells have become resistant to it.