Diabetes types

There are currently over 2 million people with diagnosed diabetes in the UK, however a further 750,000 people have diabetes but are undiagnosed.

There are two main types of diabetes. These are:

• Type 1 diabetes
• Type 2 diabetes

Diabetes Type 1

Type 1 diabetes develops if the body is unable to produce any insulin. This type of diabetes usually appears before the age of 40 and accounts for between 5 – 15% of all diabetes. Type 1 diabetes develops when the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas have been destroyed

In Type 1 diabetes the signs and symptoms are usually very obvious, developing rapidly, usually over a few weeks and include:

• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination – especially at night
• Extreme tiredness
• Weight loss
• Blurred vision
• Slow healing of wounds

Type 1 diabetes is treated by insulin injections usually 2-4 injections a day and diet, and regular exercise is recommended.

Diabetes Type 2

Type 2 diabetes develops when either not enough insulin is produced or when the insulin that is produced does not work properly (known as insulin resistance). In most cases this is linked with being overweight. Type 2 diabetes usually appears in people over the age of 40, though in South Asian and African-Caribbean patients it often appears after the age of 25. Recently, more children are being diagnosed with the condition, some as young as seven. Type 2 diabetes is the most common of the two main types and accounts for between 85 - 95% of all people with diabetes. The signs and symptoms are not as obvious as in Type 1 or may even be non-existent. Older patients may put the symptoms down to ‘getting on a bit’. Taking early action is key so if any of the symptoms apply a diabetes test is required.

The risk factors for Type 2 diabetes are:

• A close family member with Type 2 diabetes (parent or brother or sister).
• Being overweight or obese or for men a waist measurement of 37” or greater or for Asian men 35”.
• High blood pressure or a previous heart attack or a stroke.
• Impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glycaemia.

Although diabetes cannot be cured, it can be successfully treated.

Type 2 diabetes is treated with lifestyle changes such as a healthier diet, weight loss and increased physical activity. Tablets and/or insulin may also be required to achieve normal blood glucose levels. There are several kinds of tablets for Type 2 diabetes. Some stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin, others help the body to make better use of the insulin that the pancreas does produce. Another type of tablet slows down the speed at which the body absorbs glucose from the intestine. Type 2 diabetes is progressive. If diabetes cannot be controlled through lifestyle changes and tablets insulin may be required.

Treatment of both types of diabetes aims to achieve blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels as near to normal as possible. Together with a healthy lifestyle, this will help to improve wellbeing and protect against long-term damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and major arteries.