Summary Diabetes is one the leading causes of death worldwide and the incidence of the disease is expected to double by the year 2030. Type II Diabetes is the commonest form of diabetes occurring in 85-90 % of the population. Type I Diabetes occurs to a lesser extent in the population. Some of the avoidable risk factors associated with Type II Diabetes include diet, obesity, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, hypertension, stress, cholesterol and smoking. Symptoms of diabetes include loss of weight or weight gain, extreme thirst, poor vision, poor healing of wounds, leg cramps, vertigo, headaches and frequent infections. Severe complications associated with Type II Diabetes include degeneration of blood vessels supplying the eye, nerves, kidney and reproductive organs. Diabetes is usually diagnosed after a medical history, expression of characteristic signs and symptoms and confirmed via blood tests. Treatment of diabetes is concerned with maintaining normal levels of blood glucose and management of any symptoms that may arise through the use of a proper diet, regular exercise, regular blood testing and the use of necessary prescribed drugs.Key words: diabetes, emerging silent killer, Type II Diabetes, Type I DiabetesIntroductionDiabetes ranks as one of the leading causes of death worldwide. WHO reported that at least 171 million people worldwide have diabetes and this figure is likely to more than double by 2030 to reach 366 million. Diabetes contributes to heart disease and stroke. People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop cardiovascular problems as those without diabetes (http://www.who.int/diabetes).Several disorders have been called diabetes, but the most common ones are the two forms of diabetes mellitus; insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.Two Types of DiabetesType I Diabetes or Insulin-dependent Diabetes MellitusThis is a less common type of diabetes affecting 5 % to 10 % of the population. The condition is characterized by lack of the glucose regulating hormone, insulin. The beta cells of the pancreas losses its ability to synthesize the hormone insulin. The person must therefore inject insulin regularly to assist the cells in taking up glucose (Pattron, 2004).Type II Diabetes or Noninsulin-dependent Diabetes MellitusThis condition is the predominant type of diabetes, accounting for 85 to 90 % of all cases. High blood glucose and insulin resistance are the hallmarks of the disorder. The individual cannot produce enough insulin to keep up with increased blood levels of glucose. Type II diabetes affects the body's ability to synthesize and use insulin thereby interfering with the conversion of food into energy. The incidences of Type II diabetes are similar in both males and females in most populations. Some of the common medical complications associated with Type II diabetes are cardiovascular problems, blindness, impotence, kidney failure and amputation and are associated with a sedentary lifestyle (Pattron, 2004).Type II diabetes Risk FactorsThere exists no single cause for developing Type II diabetes, however there are some well-known risk factors that may or may not be avoidable (Pattron, 2004).Unavoidable Risk Factors for Type II Diabetes* Genetic predisposition. Identical twins have more than 80% chance of developing diabetes. Patients who have first relatives with diabetes are 25% likely to develop diabetes.* Age. The risk associated with diabetes increases with age 45 and over.* Ethnic predisposition. People of Indian or Asian origin are more likely to develop diabetes mellitus.* Polycystic ovarian syndrome. * Gestational diabetes.* Low birth weight.* Autosomal dominant inheritance responsible for maturity onset diabetes of the young.Avoidable Risk Factors for Type II Diabetes* Diet.* Obesity.* Alcohol.* Physical inactivity.* Hypertension.* Stress.* Cholesterol.* Tobacco.Common Symptoms of Type II Diabetes Mellitus* Frequent urination.* Dry skin.* Itchy eyes.* Dry mouth.* Numbness in limbs.* Extreme thirst.* Hunger.* Weight loss.* Weight gain.* Slow healing of wounds.* Frequent infections.* Blurred vision.* Headaches.* Behavioral disorders e.g. mood swings.* Vertigo.Long-term Complications of Type II Diabetes* Diseases of the micro blood vessels supplying the eye (retinopathy), kidney (nephropathy), nerves (neuropathy), reproductive organs (impotence).* Diseases of the large blood vessels for example hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) leading to heart attack, stroke and peripheral vascular disease.Criteria for Diagnosis of Diabetes Blood Tests* Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) > 7.0 mmol/l.* Random plasma glucose (RPG) >11.0 mmol/l.* Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) 2 hour plasma glucose > 11.1 mmol/lAdditional Tests* Full blood count, urea, electrolyte.* Liver function tests.* Chest X-ray.* Electrocardiogram.* Blood lipids including cholesterol.* Urine test.Remedies for Diabetes* Adopt regular blood sugar testing.* Maintain a proper diet.* Control hypertension.* Exercise regularly for at least 30 minutes per day.* Maintain a healthy body weight.* Reduce cholesterol by limiting cholesterol intake and by the use of medication.* Avoid tobacco.* Reduce alcohol consumption.* Avoid stressful conditions.* Drug therapy may include the use of NovoMix 30; NovoRapid; Actos; Amaryl; Avandia; Diabex; Diaformin; Diamicron MR; Glimel; Glucobay; Glucophage; Lantus.Conclusion* Diabetes is a preventable and controllable disease.* Adopt a proper diet.* Exercise regularly.* Regular medication.* Regular medical check up.* Avoid tobacco and alcohol.* Regular blood testing.* Proper management of symptoms.References* Pattron, D. 2004. Recent Research in Public Health. New York: Scientific Publishers.* http://www.who.int/diabetes* http://www.unitefordiabetes.org
