What is Diabetes
Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person's blood sugar level to become too high.
There are 2 main types of diabetes:
- type 1 diabetes – where the body's immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin
- type 2 diabetes – where the body does not produce enough insulin, or the body's cells do not react to insulin
Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1. In the UK, around 90% of all adults with diabetes have type 2.
During pregnancy, some women have such high levels of blood glucose that their body is unable to produce enough insulin to absorb it all. This is known as gestational diabetes.
NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (NHS DPP)
The Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (NHS DPP) identifies those at high risk and refers them onto a behaviour change programme.
When to see a doctor
Visit your GP as soon as possible if you experience the main symptoms of diabetes, which include:
- feeling very thirsty
- peeing more frequently than usual, particularly at night
- feeling very tired
- weight loss and loss of muscle bulk
- itching around the penis or vagina, or frequent episodes of thrush
- cuts or wounds that heal slowly
- blurred vision
Type 1 diabetes can develop quickly over weeks or even days.
Many people have type 2 diabetes for years without realising because the early symptoms tend to be general.
Health and care videos
The importance of physical activity when you have diabetes
From the Health and Care Video Library, the UK's largest collection of health and care videos
What health checks do you need when you have diabetes?
From the Health and Care Video Library, the UK's largest collection of health and care videos
Health and Care Video Library
We provide clinicians, patients, their families and carers with easily understandable information in an easily accessible way.
ORCHA mobile apps
ORCHA is a health app evaluation and advisor organisation. It can help you find mobile apps to learn more information about diabetes. Tap on the image below to go the the app directory.
Content provided by One Liverpool, a partnership of local health and care organisations working together to support a healthier, happier and fairer Liverpool for all.
Published on Mon, 17 May 2021 11:34:50 GMT
Modified on Fri, 23 Sep 2022 10:47:05 GMT