8 March 2019 Diabetes often goes undetected and is a perfect example of a chronic disease . The complications that it causes in different organs are the main concern and can reduce quality of life and life expectancy. Impairment of glucose metabolism is what the different clinical conditions known as diabetes mellitus have in common. What are the main characteristics of diabetes? Diabetes is excess sugar in the blood (hyperglycaemia). However, there is more than one disease that can cause this condition. In fact, the name diabetes covers a number of metabolic diseases that are characterised by hyperglycaemia. They are caused by impaired secretion or action of insulin or both at the same time. Insulin regulates blood sugar levels. It is a hormone produced by the pancreas and, under normal circumstances, its levels in the blood increase as blood sugar levels rise . This happens after a meal, for example. The body’s cells need sugar to function properly. The sugar in the bloodstream comes from food or is produced by the liver. It has to enter the cells through the right channels in order to be used. These channels only allow the sugar into the cells if there is insulin in the bloodstream. In other words, without insulin the sugar doesn’t enter the cells and builds up in the blood, leading to hyperglycaemia. Prolonged hyperglycaemia is associated with medium-to-long-term damage to certain organs, such as: Eyes; Kidneys; Nervous system; Cardiovascular system. This article was written with the support of physicians and other clinical professionals from the Hospital da Luz network. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
