Diabetes occurs when blood sugar (glucose) levels are too high. It is a common condition affecting about 5 in every 100 people. There are more than 250,000 people with diabetes in NZ. 

Glucose enters our bodies from the foods we eat and it is used for energy. The amount of glucose in the blood stream is regulated by the hormone insulin. The pancreas is responsible for insulin production. Insulin helps to transport glucose into our cells where it can be used as fuel. 

Diabetes results when not enough insulin is created (Type 1) or our cells are not responsive enough to the insulin (Type 2). In both cases, glucose that cannot enter the cells remains in the bloodstream and raises blood sugar to unhealthy levels. Our kidneys will remove some, but not all, of this excess glucose via urine.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 is most commonly diagnosed in children and young adults, but one in 5 people with type 1 are diagnosed over the age of 40. With type 1 diabetes the pancreas does not produce enough insulin and therefore insulin needs to be injected, either manually by injection or by using an insulin pump. (Alfrezza, an inhalable insulin, exists and is known for its fast onset. However, it does have some side-effects such as a cough or sore throat.)

The onset of type 1 diabetes is often very rapid, and you may feel quite unwell, experience rapid or irregular breathing, a flushed face, acetone-y or fruity smelling breath, nausea and vomiting. Urgent medical treatment should be sought. 

Type 2 Diabetes 

Type 2 is most commonly found in adults and results from ‘insulin resistance’. Lifestyle factors, such as inactivity and being overweight can put people at increased risk of this type of diabetes. A healthy diet and exercise plan may be enough to control blood glucose levels, otherwise tablets or injections may be required to improve the body’s responsiveness to insulin.

Signs and Symptoms  

These will vary from person to person, but most newly diagnosed people and most people with poorly controlled diabetes will experience: 

• Passing large amounts of urine because the kidneys try to remove the excess glucose from the blood and into the urine. 
• Thirst because glucose and fluid are removed from the body, resulting in dehydration. 
• Weight loss occurs if insulin deficiency is severe. The body is unable to use glucose for energy so it breaks down its own fat and muscle to use as fuel instead. 
• Other symptoms can include: tiredness, infections that don’t heal and blurry vision.  
• Note that some people do not experience any specific symptoms. 

  

Testing for Type 2 Diabetes 

We recommend that people with one or more of the following risk factors get tested on a regular basis (once every one or two years – talk with your doctor about frequency). 

Risk factors include: 

• Having someone with diabetes in your immediate family 
• Being of Maori, Pacific Island or Asian descent 
• Being overweight for your height 
• Having had gestational diabetes when you were pregnant 
• Having had a heart attack 

 Many people with type 2 diabetes may have the condition for years before being diagnosed. But, the sooner that it is diagnosed the sooner you can get your blood glucose levels under control. If you have two or more of the risk factors above, or are experiencing any of the signs and symptoms such as excessive urination, thirst, unexplained weight loss, tiredness, infections that don't heal, and/or blurred vision, it is worth getting tested.