Over 2 million people in England are living with diabetes. Many more have the condition but don’t know it. Type 1 and type 2 are the most common forms. The causes of both types are different, but both result in too much glucose (sugar) in the blood.

Type 1 diabetes is caused by the body's failure to produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone released by the pancreas to help control levels of sugar in the blood. It's sometimes called juvenile diabetes or early-onset diabetes because it usually appears before the age of 40.

Type 2 diabetes is caused by the body not producing enough insulin or not using what it produces effectively. It's the most common form and accounts for around 90% of all diabetes.

Diabetes can increase the risk of developing other conditions, such as heart disease. It can be managed effectively and many people with diabetes lead a healthy, active life.

Diabetes can also occur in pregnancy. This is known as gestational diabetes. Some pregnant women have high levels of glucose in their blood because their bodies do not produce enough insulin to meet the extra demands of pregnancy. It affects less than one in 20 pregnant women and usually disappears after birth. Although women with gestational diabetes are more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

You're more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if:

• You have a relative with type 2 diabetes.
• You're overweight or obese.
• You take little physical exercise.
• Your regulation of blood glucose does not work properly
• You're of South Asian, African-Caribbean or Middle Eastern descent.
• You're over 40.

There are some small changes you can make to your lifestyle to cut your risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future, even if there's a family history of the condition.

The symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes are similar. However, type 1 diabetes usually develops suddenly over weeks or even days.

Many people have type 2 diabetes for years without knowing it because early symptoms can be vague and may not seem important at the time.

It’s important to seek medical advice if you think you might have signs of diabetes. Early diagnosis reduces your risk of developing complications.

Symptoms of diabetes can include:

• feeling thirsty all the time
• frequent urination
• tiredness
• weight loss
• muscle wasting
• frequent infections or slow-healing sores
• itchiness around the vagina or penis
• regular episodes of thrush
• blurred vision

These symptoms may be due to other conditions, so it's important you seek medical advice and diagnosis.

 

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