The official name for diabetes, is diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are the most commonly known forms of diabetes but there are multiple forms.
Diabetes is a chronic illness, or a persistent illness. The body is no longer able to manage its blood sugar levels because it produces no or insufficient insulin. There is no cure (yet) but with proper monitoring and medication the effects can be reasonably managed and kept under control.
Some facts
In the Netherlands, there are approximately a million people with diabetes. Between 2000 and 2011, the number of Dutch people with diabetes rose by half. One of the main reasons given for this is the aging population, an increase in the occurrence of obesity and/or decrease in physical exercise. Changes in diet may also have contributed to the increase. A further increase in the number of Dutch people with diabetes is expected.
There are many misconceptions about diabetes. It is still thought, wrongly, that diabetes is caused by eating (too much) sugar. This is certainly not the case. In the same way, it is a myth that diabetics are not allowed to eat sugar.
Do you have diabetes?
Diabetes is not always easy to recognise. If you have one or more of the complaints below, pay a visit to your doctor to discuss this and check if you have diabetes:
- Frequent urination
- Long-term fatigue
- Extreme thirst
- A dry mouth
- Blurred vision or inflammation of the eye
More information
OThis website offers you more information about Diatesse, the Diatesse products and diabetes. Would you like more information about diabetes? Your health care provider can give you this information. You can also check out the following websites: