Diabetes Info

Diabetes means that the amount of sugar, (called "glucose"), in your blood becomes too high because the body is unable to use it properly. This is because the body's method of converting glucose into energy is not working as it should.

There are two types of diabetes:

• Insulin dependent diabetes, (also called "Type 1"), develops when there is a severe lack of insulin in the body. This is because most or all of the cells in the pancreas that produce it have been destroyed. This type of diabetes usually appears in people under the age of 40, often in childhood. It is treated by insulin injections and diet.
• Non insulin dependent diabetes, (also called "Type 2"), develops when the body cannot produce enough insulin, or when the insulin does not work properly.

How is my body meant to get its energy?

Normally, the amount of glucose in our blood is carefully controlled by a hormone called insulin. Insulin is made by a gland called the pancreas that lies just behind the stomach. It helps the glucose to enter the cells where it is used as fuel by the body.

We obtain glucose from the food that we eat, either from sweet foods or from the digestion of starchy foods such as bread or potatoes. Glucose can also be made by the liver.

After a meal, the blood glucose level rises and insulin is released into the blood. When the blood glucose level falls (for example, during exercise), the level of insulin falls. Insulin, therefore, plays a vital role in regulating the level of blood glucose and, in particular, in stopping the blood glucose from rising too high.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

You may experience:

• thirst and a dry mouth;
• the need to pass large amounts of urine (especially during the night);
• tiredness;
• weight loss;
• itchy genitals;
• blurred vision.

Type 2 diabetes develops slowly and the symptoms are usually less severe. Some people may not notice any symptoms at all, but their diabetes is picked up in a routine medical check up.

Type 1 diabetes develops much more quickly, usually over a few weeks. In both types, the symptoms are quickly relieved once the diabetes is treated.

Who gets diabetes?

Diabetes is a common health condition. About 1.4 million people in the UK are known to have diabetes and an estimated further 1.4 million people unknowingly have it.

Over three quarters of people with diabetes have the non insulin dependent type.

Although diabetes can occur at any age, it is rare in infants. [source:]