Diabetes

An Undergraduate Library Subject Guide providing suggested resources and other information for beginning research on the topic Diabetes.

Overview
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood glucose. Hyperglycaemia, also called raised blood glucose or raised blood sugar, is a common effect of uncontrolled diabetes and over time leads to serious damage to many of the body's systems, especially the nerves and blood vessels.

Symptoms
Symptoms of diabetes may occur suddenly. In type 2 diabetes, the symptoms can be mild and may take many years to be noticed.

Symptoms of diabetes include:
  • feeling very thirsty
  • needing to urinate more often than usual
  • blurred vision
  • feeling tired
  • losing weight unintentionally