Type 1 diabetes develops when no insulin is produced by the body at all because the body's immune system attacks & destroys the cells that produce insulin, destroying the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.  As a result, the body is unable to produce insulin & this leads to increased blood glucose levels, which in turn can cause serious damage to all organ systems in the body.

The body is unable to produce any insulin, the key that unlocks the door to the body’s cells.  Once the door is unlocked glucose can enter the cells where it is used as fuel.  In Type 1 diabetes the body is unable to produce any insulin, so there is no key to unlock the door & the glucose builds up in the blood.

Nobody knows for sure why these cells have been damaged but the most likely cause is the body having an abnormal reaction to the cells.  There is nothing that you can do to prevent Type 1 diabetes.  This type of diabetes is always treated with insulin injections.

Type 1 diabetes may be triggered by a virus or infection, can develop at any age but usually appears before the age of 40, & especially in childhood.  It accounts for between 5 - 15% of all people with diabetes & is treated by daily insulin injections, a healthy diet & regular physical activity.

The stress of a daily diabetes routine can also cause resentment.  People often experience feelings of loss – the loss of their usual life that didn’t include taking medication, injecting insulin, testing blood glucose levels & having a more structured lifestyle.  There are no days off for some & they often feel that their diabetes has taken over their lives...

Type 2 Diabetes develops when the body does not produce enough insulin to maintain a normal blood glucose level, or when the body is unable to effectively use the insulin that is being produced (Insulin Resistance).

Insulin Resistance is when the body can still make some insulin, but not enough, or when the insulin that is produced does not work properly.

Insulin acts as a key to unlocking the body's cells, so if there is not enough insulin, or it is not working properly, the cells are only partially unlocked (or not at all) & glucose builds up in the blood.

Type 2 diabetes usually appears in people over the age of 40, though in South Asian & black people, who are at greater risk, it often appears from the age of 25.  It is also increasingly becoming more common in children, adolescents & young people of all ethnicities.  It accounts for between 85 - 95% of all people with diabetes & is treated with a healthy diet & increased physical activity.  In addition to this, medication &/or insulin is often required.

Type 1 Diabetes

• Exceptional thirst
• Dry mouth
• Frequent urination
• Loss of weight
• Weakness or fatigue
• Blurred vision
Having history of Type 1 diabetes in your family increases the chances of developing Type 1 diabetes
If you are worried you may have Diabetes, the first step is to visit your GP or healthcare professional & be screened for Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes

• Blurred vision
• Cuts or sores that take a long time to heal
• Itching skin or yeast infections
• Excessive thirst
• Dry mouth
• Frequent urination
• Leg pain

Type 2 diabetes symptoms may be very minor for a long time, & suddenly become more serious.  This is why Type 2 Diabetes often goes unnoticed for many years.

If you are worried you may have Diabetes, the first step is to visit your GP or healthcare professional & be screened for Diabetes

• Don’t isolate yourself because of your diabetes - it is a condition, not a contagious infection!
• Don’t be hard on yourself for having Diabetes, or for how you are feeling becuse of the Diabetes
• Continue doing things that you enjoy.  Having Diabetes does not mean you have to stop having a life!
• Set yourself small, realistic & attainable goal
• Build a support team; friends, family, colleagues - let them know how you are feeling - they won't know unless you tell them!

• Eat a healthy balanced diet for good nutrition & keep active on a daily basis

You may feel cheated if you have done all the right things& have been working hard to get your diabetes under control & yet you still develop complications.  Having good diabetes control reduces your risk of developing long-term complications but does not always remove the risk entirely.