Half NZ's diabetics don't know

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 286, 16 May 1989, Page 12

Half NZ's diabetics don't know

There are 60,000 individuals in New Zealand with diabetes. There are another 60,000 who don't know they have it. By the year 2000 twice as many New Zealanders will have diabetes. It is a major N.Z. health problem. 4-5

people of European descent in every 100 have diabetes. 10 - 15 people of Maori or Polynesian descent in every 100 have diabetes. Approx 5,000 young New Zealanders have diabetes that must be treated with daily injections of insulin. Diabetes can lead to: • heart disease & strokes. • it is the cause of 50 - 70% of amputations performed each year. • it accounts for 30% of patients requiring dialysis for kidney failure. • it is the major cause of new cases of i blindness in adults aged | 25 - 75 years.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes Mellitus is a condition in which the body does not supply enough effective insulin, or the supply is rendered ineffective by antagonistic substances. The disease occurs when the pancreas gland fails to produce enough of the hormone called insulih. Insulin is released into the blood stream and regulates the rate at which body cells use sugar. This sugar is what our cells use to supply the energy our

bodies need to function properly. Much of the food we eat is converted into sugar: all of the carbohydrates such as bread, cereals, potatoes, pasta, sugar, honey and pastries; about 50% of proteins; and 10% of fats. When the body produces enough insulin the sugar is used in the normal way. If more sugar is available than is needed for immediate use, it is stored for future use in the liver and muscle tissue, and as fat. Whenever there is an insufficient supply of effective insulin, the cells cannot use sugar and the liver and muscles cannot sore it. The food you eat is still converted to sugar, and as you add to the already present sugar in the blood without removing it to supply the cells, the blood sugar rises above a normal level.

Symptoms of diabetes

As the blood sugar concentration increases it becomes lost in he urine. When sugar is passed in the urine it takes water with it and

this creates thirst. Because the cells cannot get energy they need from the sugar, the person becomes weak and tired. In order to maintain life, the cells switch to body fat and protein for their nutrition. This causes loss of weight. Interference with normal nutrition leads to complex changes in many of the internal organs, so that diabetes may present itself in many ways, including skin infections such as boils and carbuncles.

Treatment

Diabetes is a chronic condition. Although its severity may be lessened once the condition is under control, it will not disappear. Special foods are not required but correct diet is essential for all treatment. Some cases need tablets, or injections of insulin. All diabetics must eat regularly and properly. Many leam to test and read their own blood glucose (ie sugar) levels which can help greatly in controlling their diabetes. Self-monitoring and consequent good

control delays the onset of complications affecting the eyes, heart, kidneys and feet - problems that are associated with high blood glucose levels. It is important to remember that diabetes is, as yet, incurable. However, with proper

health care and education it can be controlled and the complications prevented. If this can be achieved then diabetics can still lead full, happy and normal lives.

Helen Pocknall Public Health Nurse