Diabetes occurs when there is too much sugar (glucose) in the blood. It is a common condition affecting about 2 in every 100 people. Glucose comes from the food we eat and is used by the body to produce energy. The amount of glucose in the blood stream and is regulated by the hormone insulin, which is made by the pancreas gland. Insulin helps to transport glucose out of the blood and into our cells where it is used as fuel. Diabetes results when not enough insulin is created (Type 1) or the cells are not responsive enough to the insulin (Type 2), so the glucose remains in the bloodstream and rises above a healthy level.

Type 1 is most commonly found in children and young adults. The pancreas does not produce enough insulin and therefore insulin needs to be manually taken by injection.

Type 2 is most commonly found in adults (over 40) and results from ‘insulin resistance’. Lifestyle factors, such as inactivity and being overweight can lead to this type of diabetes. A healthy balance diet and exercise plan may be enough to control blood glucose levels, otherwise injections or tablets may be required to improve the body’s responsiveness to insulin.

Symptoms

• Passing large amounts of urine because the kidneys try to remove the excess glucose from the blood and into the urine.
• Thirst occurs as glucose and fluid are removed from the body, resulting in dehydration.
• Weight loss occurs if insulin deficiency is severe. The body is unable to burn glucose so it breaks down its own fat and muscle to use as fuel instead.