Diabetes is of two types: type one which occurs in childhood and type two which occurs later in life, around the age of 40 or so. And symptoms for both are different.

Childhood diabetes has acute symptoms that manifest rather fast. Constant thirst, passing a lot of urine, eating constantly but still losing weight and repeated infections are classical symptoms of diabetes of this kind. The type two diabetes that is common in people over 40 years of age, is accompanied by a lack of energy and a constant feeling of weakness. Some people also complain of excess urination -- these people are generally overweight, unlike diabetic children who tend to be very thin.

Type two patients can suffer from cardiac problems, high blood pressure and eye problems. Very often type two diabetes is insidious and the best way to to detect it is to first check on the family history. If it does exist, people should get themselves checked regularly for blood sugar.

Women who deliver big babies stand the risk of turning diabetic. A wound that doesn't heal properly and quickly could be an indication of the disease.

Novocare is a diabetes care service. It believes that education is a very important part of keeping the disease under control. If the patient is educated about the disease, half the treatment is taken care of. Novocare is part of Novo Nordisk, a foreign company, that provides continuous medical education programmes. It organises a workshops for general practitioners and physicians, runs patient education services like bringing out a newsletter Prerna on how to keep better health.

Novocare tries to inspire people towards living better. It tells them what the risks are of the disease and the problems they may face if they don't manage their diabetes. It also discusses specific issues such as pregnancy and diabetic children.

Educational material like booklets, posters and greeting cards painted by children suffering from diabetes are given to diabetes associations, at cost, to create awareness about the disease. The organisation is based in Bangalore but the educational programmes travel all over India. The Novocare programme is being run worldwide. Functioning in India since 1990, its target is to reach all 35 million diabetics in India -- of which half probably don't even know that they are diabetic.

The best way to know if you are diabetic is to get yourself checked.

Patients of type two kind of diabetes, can monitor its severity at home; but monitoring at home is essential for the other type too.

At this stage, diabetes is not curable but it is controllable, and diabetic patients can lead an absolutely normal life if they take good care of themselves.

Do's and dont's for diabetics

* Live sensibly

* Live a healthy life

* Exercise moderately and regularly

* Avoid food that is rich in fat

* Avoid sugar

* Avoid a stressful lifestyle

* Take medication regularly

* Get yourself checked often to avoid complications

* Children with diabetes should be checked every two months

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.