What is Diabete ?

Diabetes is a chronic disease that is characterized by a dysfunction of the pancreas, more specifically of the Islets of Langerhans, the insulin-producing cells. Diabetes can be caused by little or no insulin production, or by the body´s inability to process the insulin it produces. This imbalance in insulin use causes blood glucose (sugar) levels to rise, which can be very harmful to the body.

Since the body´s natural blood sugar control method (through insulin) does not work properly, the patient will have to control these levels artificially, through medication or introduction of insulin (injections), depending on each case.

There are several types of diabetes, but the most common are Type 1 and Type 2. They require different treatments since the cause of the disease is not the same.

Type 1diabetes generally occurs in people under 30 and is caused by the islets´ incapacity to produce enough insulin. The body´s own defense cells (antibodies) promote progressive islet destruction. Type 1 patients depend on daily insulin injections, and are thus called insulin-dependent. They make up 10% of diabetes patients.

Type 2 diabetes generally occurs in people over 40. It has a strong genetic component and is frequently associated with obesity and lack of physical activity. In this type, insulin production may be normal or even increased, but the body is not able to use it. This is called insulin resistance.

In Type 2 diabetes the high blood sugar levels can be controlled with a proper diet and/or oral medication. It accounts for 90% of diabetes cases.

Diabetics may present two extremes regarding glycemia. One is hypoglycemia, which occurs when blood sugar levels are low (very common during a long interval between meals or after strenuous exercise). The other is hyperglycemia, which is exactly the opposite: blood sugar levels are too high. This can happen, for instance, as a result of diet exaggeration (eating too much). In both cases it is necessary to measure blood sugar levels and contact the physician in charge.

As a consequence of diabetes, small blood vessels are damaged as well as organs such as the eyes, skin, nerves, muscles, intestines and the heart. The kidneys are no longer capable of filtering blood properly when its blood vessels are damaged. In this case, elimination of excess water and salt is hampered and toxic substances accumulate in the blood. Kidney failure resulting from diabetes is known as diabetic nephropathy.

When the nerves are damaged by diabetes (neuropathy), there is difficulty in emptying the bladder, which may lead to urinary infections.

Roughly 50% of type 1 diabetics develop Chronic Kidney Failure. The Pro-Renal Foundation, by means of islet transplants, seeks to prevent diabetics from developing kidney diseases.