What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition where your body either stops making insulin completely, is not producing enough insulin, or is unable to use it properly. This causes the level of glucose in your blood to rise and can cause symptoms of hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar).
These symptoms may include:
- Feeling thirsty
- Passing more urine – especially at night
- Feeling tired
- Losing weight without trying
- Blurred vision
- Genital itching or thrush
- Recurrent urine infections
- Cuts and wounds taking longer to heal
Many people have diabetes and there are several types. It is a serious medical condition which can be managed by various treatments according to the type. The most important aspect of diabetes management is good blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol control to prevent the long-term complications associated with diabetes.
You may find it useful to watch the following video: What is Diabetes?
Types of diabetes
Type 1 diabetes
This is an autoimmune disease caused by the pancreas producing little or no insulin at all. It happens over a short period and causes the above symptoms. It is often associated with rapid weight loss. Treatment for type 1 diabetes involves insulin therapy which will be lifelong. This is given by multiple daily injections or an insulin pump.
Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes can often be caused by lifestyle factors such as being overweight or having a sedentary lifestyle. You are also more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes if you are of Asian, African-Caribbean or black African origin. This form of diabetes can be managed with changes to diet and lifestyle, but as time progresses may need the addition of oral medications, non-insulin injectables or insulin. It does not mean you have type 1 diabetes because you have insulin.
Gestational diabetes
This is when pregnant women develop diabetes during their pregnancy, but it usually disappears after giving birth. It can happen at any stage of pregnancy but is more common in the second or third trimester. This may be managed with oral medication but quite often insulin is required. Having gestational diabetes increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes in later life.
Other types of diabetes
There are some other types of diabetes that are not as common as type 1 or type 2 diabetes. If we feel you may have one of these, we will discuss your case with the Diabetes Consultant and request specific testing to either confirm or rule out the diagnosis.
These types can include slowly evolving immune-mediated diabetes, formerly known as latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), or maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY).
For more information on LADA, visit Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA) | Diabetes UK
For more information on MODY, visit Maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY) | Diabetes UK
