What is Diabetes?
Key messages:
1. Diabetes is a chronic and potentially fatal metabolic disease
- It results in elevated blood glucose (hyperglycaemia) when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or is unable to effectively utilize the insulin it produces.
2. Type 1 diabetes
- It is commonly diagnosed in children and young adults, but it can occur at any age.
- Patients are dependent on insulin treatment for survival.
3. Type 2 diabetes
- It accounts for over 90% of global diabetes cases.
- The risk of developing type 2 diabetes can be reduced through prevention or delayed onset measures.
- Increasing evidence suggests that achieving "remission" may be possible in the early stages of the disease.
4. Prediabetes/Intermediate hyperglycaemia
- This condition includes "Impaired Glucose Tolerance" (IGT) and/or "Impaired Fasting Glucose" (IFG).
- Individuals with this condition have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stroke.
5. Gestational Diabetes (GDM)
- GDM increases the risk of delivery complications for both the mother and the fetus.
- Regular antenatal care is required for early monitoring and management of potential complications.