Coping With...
03/10/2005
This week we follow Sharon Clayton and her eight-year old daughter Victoria, from Romford, Essex. Sharon and Victoria both have Type 1 diabetes, a condition which requires daily insulin injections in order to control blood glucose levels. We gain an insight into what diabetes is, how it feels to have to inject every day, and how the whole family has coped with the condition.
In diabetes, the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high because the body cannot use it properly. Glucose comes from the digestion of starchy foods such as bread, rice, potatoes, and from sugar and other sweet foods. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas which normally helps glucose to enter cells in our body to be used as fuel. People with diabetes either do not have enough insulin, or the cells are resistant to the effects of this hormone.
Types of Diabetes
?Type 1 diabetes, when the body is unable to produce any insulin
?Type 2 diabetes, when the body can still make some insulin, but not enough, or when the insulin that is produced does not work properly (known as insulin resistance).
People with Type 1 diabetes usually have an earlier age of onset of the condition. Whilst Type 2 diabetes usually affects people aged over 40, and is linked to factors such as obesity and lifestyle.
Symptoms of untreated diabetes include:
?increased thirst ?going to the loo all the time ? especially at night ?tiredness ?weight loss ?genital itching or regular episodes of thrush ?blurred vision
Treating Diabetes
The main aim of treatment of both types of diabetes is to achieve blood glucose and blood pressure levels as near to normal as possible.
Type 1 diabetes is treated by daily insulin injections, a healthy diet and regular physical activity. Type 2 diabetes is treated by a healthy diet and physical activity. Type 2 diabetes is progressive and may need to be treated with tablets and/ or insulin injections over time.
The healthy diet for people with diabetes is the healthy diet recommended for everyone. It is advisable to eat a diet that's low in fat, sugar, and salt, which includes starchy foods, and plenty of fruit and vegetables. You can still enjoy a wide variety of foods as part of a balanced diet.
Regular physical activity, not smoking, and keeping to an ideal weight also help prevent the complications of diabetes, such as heart disease, strokes, kidney damage, blindness and amputations.
Support organisations
?Diabetes UK
www.diabetes.org.uk
Diabetes UK is the largest organisation in the UK working for people with diabetes, funding research, campaigning and helping people live with the condition. Diabetes UK Careline can provide support and information on diabetes.
Telephone: 0845 120 2960 (lo-call rate) Monday - Friday (9am - 5pm)
Postal Address: Diabetes UK, Macleod House, 10 Parkway, London, NW1 7AA
Diabetes Insight
www.diabetes-insight.info
Diabetes Insight is a major UK web site, providing access to information on Diabetes Mellitus that is relevant to the UK. Diabetes Insight also provides an E-mail support forum, where people can share support and information about diabetes.