Your Life

Diabetes

Diabetes is where the glucose (sugar) in your blood is too high because your body can't use it properly. Glucose comes from eating foods such as bread, rice, potatoes, chapatis, yams and plantain, and of course from sugar and other sweet foods.

The two main types of diabetes

Type 1

Type 1 diabetes develops if your body can't produce any insulin (insulin is a hormone that helps glucose to be used as 'fuel' by your body). This type of diabetes usually affects people who are younger than 40.

Type 2

Type 2 diabetes develops if your body can still make some insulin, but not enough. This type of diabetes usually affects people older than 40, but recently more and more children are developing Type 2 diabetes, some as young as seven!! You are a lot more likely to get Type 2 diabetes if you are overweight, so that is one of the many reasons why exercise is so important! Get out there and start playing sports!

There are currently over 2.3 million people with diabetes in the UK and there are up to another 750,000 people with diabetes who don’t even know it!!

The signs and symptoms of diabetes

  • Increased thirst
  • Going to the loo all the time, especially at night
  • Extreme tiredness
  • Weight loss
  • Blurred vision

With Type 1 diabetes the signs and symptoms will usually be very obvious, developing quickly, usually over a few weeks. With Type 2 diabetes the signs and symptoms will not be so obvious.

Although diabetes cannot be cured, it can be treated very successfully. Early treatment will also reduce the chances of developing serious health problems.

Type 1 diabetes is treated by insulin injections and diet, and regular exercise is recommended. People with this type of diabetes usually take either two or four injections of insulin each day. If you have Type 1 diabetes, your insulin injections are vital to keep you alive and you must have them every day.

Type 2 diabetes is treated with changes like a healthier diet, weight loss and more exercise. There are several kinds of tablets for people with Type 2 diabetes. Your doctor will decide which kinds of tablet are going to work best for you and may prescribe more than one kind. If your diabetes cannot be controlled through things like diet, exercise and tablets then your doctor may recommend that you start taking insulin injections.

The main aim of treatment of both types of diabetes is to get your blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels as near to normal as possible.

Common myths about diabetes

  • You can catch diabetes from someone else - you can't!
  • Eating too much sugar causes diabetes - it doesn't! But eating a diet high in fat and sugar can cause you to become overweight and being overweight increases your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. So a healthy diet and regular exercise are recommended to control your weight.
  • People with diabetes can't play sport - they can! Steve Redgrave, the Olympic gold medal-winning rower, is diabetic. In fact, people with diabetes are encouraged to exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle. Keeping active can help avoid complications associated with diabetes, such as heart disease.
  • People with diabetes are more likely to get colds and other illnesses - not true!
  • People with diabetes can't eat sweets or chocolate - they can!
  • People with diabetes shouldn’t eat bananas or grapes - not true! All fruit and vegetables are extremely good for you.
  • Having diabetes means you can’t do certain jobs - no, it doesn't! Having diabetes should not stop you from getting and keeping a job.

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