So as I'm starting Stepping for Diabetes on Thursday. I thought I would do a Diabetes awareness week. This is for information only and not medical advice. If you think you may have Diabetes please talk to a medical/health professional.
Firstly. What is Diabetes? Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of metabolic diseases characterised by high blood sugar resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both*
There are three main types of Diabetes: Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational Diabetes. Nearly 90% of patients with DM have Type 2 diabetes within that is also Early Onset Type 2 Diabetes and Pre Diabetes.
Type 1 DM is absolute insulin deficiency — in other words, the body cannot produce insulin. This is from a defect in the pancreas, the insulin-producing organ of the body. Type 1 DM is often understood to be an auto-immune disorder, in which the body destroys its own tissue (in this case, the cells of the pancreas)*
Type 2 DM arises because of insulin resistance. In this case, the body may be producing insulin but cannot use it properly. These individuals usually carry excess body fat; 80% of clients with Type 2 DM are obese at onset*. In general Type 2 diabetes is a disease borne about by lifestyle choices.
FYI: Type 2 Diabetes has generally been considered a disease related to ageing. According to the National Institute of Health in the US Early-onset diabetes was defined as diabetes with an age of diagnosis between 30-45 years old. However, the increase of adult early-onset type has increased globally over recent years.
Gestational Diabetes is high blood sugar that develops during pregnancy. It usually disappears after giving birth. It can happen at any stage of pregnancy but it is more common to develop in the second or third trimesters. It happens if your body cannot produce enough insulin to meet your extra needs in pregnancy.
*From Precision Nutrition
Karen is a qualified personal trainer and nutrition coach living in Cyprus near Paphos with her husband Mal and their cat Dave. She has been a personal trainer for 14 years and a qualified nutrition coach for over 2 years. She is passionate about working with people of any age and fitness level to improve their health and wellbeing.
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