What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a life-long condition affecting the way a person’s body turns food into energy leaving glucose (sugar) levels to rise in the blood.
Sugar comes from the food we eat and the body will break this down to glucose. A hormone called insulin is made in an organ called the pancreas and this transports the glucose to the cells in the body turning it into energy. Sometimes, the body will not make enough insulin or any at all, leaving glucose to stay in the blood without reaching the cells. This is where diabetes occurs.
There are two main types of diabetes, affecting the body differently if left untreated:
- Type 1 Diabetes – develops quickly and rapidly. This is where the body doesn’t produce any insulin at all. Usually treated by injecting insulin into the skin.
- Type 2 Diabetes – develops at a slower rate and will be diagnosed later in life. This is where the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it doesn’t work properly. Usually treated via oral medication, diet or exercise.
Important note: It’s important to advise patients to speak to their doctor or diabetes nurse about their diabetes treatment as soon as possible before starting Ramadan
To read up further on diabetes, please take a look at our counter excellence module on ‘Running a Diabetes service’ here