Compared to type 1, type 2 diabetes is far more common. About 90% of all persons with diabetes in the UK have type 2.

In the UK, 4.7 million individuals have diabetes. In the UK, more than one in 15 individuals has diabetes (diagnosed or undiagnosed). Since there were 1.4 million in 1996, this number has almost tripled. In the UK, 5 million individuals will reportedly have diabetes by 2025.

Pre-diabetes

There are a lot more people who have blood glucose levels that are above normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetics.

Prediabetes is another name for this condition. Your chance of acquiring type 2 diabetes increases if your blood glucose level is over the normal range.

Diabetes must be identified as soon as possible since, if untreated, it will only get worse with time.

When to see a doctor

If your blood sugar levels are consistently high throughout the day, if they rise at the same time every day, or if you are experiencing signs of high blood sugar like drinking or urinating (peeing) a lot more than usual, you should call your doctor.

Symptoms of diabetes

The main symptoms of diabetes are:

• Urinate (pee) a lot, often at night.
• Are very thirsty.
• Lose weight without trying.
• Are very hungry.
• Have blurry vision.
• Have numb or tingling hands or feet.
• Feel very tired.
• Have very dry skin.

 

Diabetes type 1 might manifest suddenly over a few hours or even days.

Because the initial signs of type 2 diabetes are sometimes vague, many people have it for years without being aware of it.

What causes diabetes?

Most kinds of diabetes lack a known precise cause. Sugar builds up in the bloodstream in every situation. This is as a result of inadequate insulin production by the pancreas. Diabetes of either type can result from a mix of hereditary and environmental causes.

Type 1 diabetes

When a person has type 1 diabetes, their immune system attacks and kills the cells that make insulin. Your glucose levels rise as insulin production falls until it stops entirely, which can significantly harm your organs.

Before the age of 40, and frequently in the teenage years, type 1 diabetes normally occurs. Compared to type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes is less common. About 10% of all adults with diabetes in the UK are affected. If type 1 diabetes is discovered, insulin shots will be required for the rest of your life.

To make sure your blood glucose levels stay balanced, you'll also need to pay special attention to key areas of your lifestyle and health.

You must, for instance, eat sensibly, exercise frequently, and get regular blood testing.

Type 2 diabetes

When the body doesn't create enough insulin or when the body's cells don't respond to insulin, type 2 diabetes results. Insulin resistance is the term for this.

If you have type 2 diabetes, you might be able to manage your symptoms by following a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and keeping an eye on your blood glucose levels. You might eventually require medicine, typically in the form of tablets, though, as type 2 diabetes is a progressive disorder.

Obesity and type 2 diabetes frequently go together. Because it affects older people more frequently than younger ones, diabetes brought on by obesity is sometimes called maturity-onset diabetes.

Diabetic eye screening

The national diabetes retinal screening programme need to welcome everyone with diabetes who is 12 or older to have their eyes checked once a year. Diabetes puts your eyes at risk for diabetic retinopathy, a condition that, if left untreated, can cause blindness.

The problem can be identified early by screening, which entails a half-hour check to look at the back of the eyes. This allows for more successful treatment.

Gestational diabetes (in pregnancy)

All pregnant women need to produce more insulin. Blood glucose levels rise in certain women when this doesn't occur, usually from the middle of pregnancy onward. Gestational diabetes is the name given to diabetes discovered during pregnancy.

The same risk factors for type 2 diabetes—increased weight, at-risk ethnicity, and family history of diabetes—also raise the risk of gestational diabetes, as does having previously delivered a baby who was larger than expected.

After pregnancy, blood glucose levels will typically return to normal for most women with gestational diabetes. Nevertheless, you run a higher chance of acquiring diabetes in later life.

Other types of diabetes

There are other different forms of diabetes in addition to Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes. 2% of persons have one of these far more uncommon kinds of diabetes. Among the uncommon forms of diabetes are:

• Cystic fibrosis-related diabetes
• Diabetes caused by certain medications such as steroids and antipsychotics
• Diabetes caused by surgery or hormonal imbalances
• Different types of monogenic diabetes
• Diabetes caused by rare syndromes

Unfortunately, many people with rarer types of diabetes are misdiagnosed leading to delays in getting the right treatment.