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DR Wiam Hussein, a consultant endocrinologist at the Joslin Diabetes Centre, Manama, explains what diabetes is.
Diabetes, medically known as diabetes mellitus, is the name given to disorders in which the body has trouble regulating its blood glucose or blood sugar levels. There are two major types of diabetes - Type 1 and Type 2.
Type 1 diabetes is genetically predetermined. People with Type 1 diabetes must take daily insulin injections to survive as the body completely stops producing any insulin. It usually develops in children or young adults but can occur at any age.
Type 2 diabetes is a disease of lifestyle associated with the obesity. It results when the body doesn't produce enough insulin and/or is unable to use insulin properly. People who are older, overweight, and have a family history of diabetes are particularly susceptible.
People at high risk of contracting diabetes are generally those who have a:
Family history of diabetes.
Overweight and obese.
Habitual physical inactivity.
Hypertension.
Hyperlipidemia, Low HDL cholesterol or high Triglyceride.
History of gestational diabetes.
Previously identified abnormal glucose but not at diabetes threshold (pre-diabetes).
Polycystic ovary syndrome.
High risk ethnic or racial group.
