Diabetes

Diabetes is the classic 21st century disease. Known as a medical condition for thousands of years, it has risen in Western countries to almost epidemic proportions in the last 50 years. According to the American Diabetic Association, 7% of the American population, 20.8 million children and adults, currently suffer from various forms of diabetes.

At least one third of this number, or 6.2 million people, are undiagnosed, and unaware of the damage that complications of diabetes can cause.

The term diabetes actually includes several different syndromes, each with different risk factors and causes. As research continues, more sub-types are discovered, and treatments become more specific, with many clinics specialising in diabetic treatment and prevention.

Learn more about diabetes

• Diabetes Introduction
  Known as a medical condition for thousands of years, it has risen in Western countries to almost epidemic proportions in the last 50 years.
• Type 1 Diabetes
  It is believed to be caused by an immune reaction in which the body destroys cells in the pancreas which produce insulin
• Type 2 Diabetes
  Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. It is caused by a number of factors, among them excess weight
• Diabetes Symptoms
  Diabetes symptoms commonly experienced are more or less the same for all types of diabetes. The difference is in the severity.
• Diabetes Treatment
  Diabetes treatment has come a long way since the discovery and purification of the hormone called insulin in 1921
• Gestational Diabetes
  Gestational diabetes is diabetes which starts during pregnancy, in women who have not previously had high blood sugar.
• Diabetes Mellitus
  Diabetes mellitus means, literally, 'the sweet siphon'. Recognised since early Greek times