Diabetes
Overview
Diabetes is a condition that causes your blood glucose (sugar) level to become too high.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of diabetes are: feeling thirsty all the timepeeing more than usualfeeling very tiredlosing weight without trying
Causes
Diabetes is caused by your body not making enough or any of a hormone called insulin, or the insulin not working properly (insulin resistance). Insulin helps your body use glucose (sugar) for energy. Without it, the level of glucose in your blood becomes too high. It's not possible to prevent type 1 diabetes because it's usually caused by a problem with your immune system (autoimmune condition). You may be more likely to get type 2 or gestational diabetes because of your weight, age, ethnicity, or if other people in your family have it. You can sometimes reduce your risk of getting type 2 and gestational diabetes by making lifestyle changes such as: eating a balanced dietexercising regularlymaintaining a healthy weight
Treatment
The treatment you'll have depends on the type of diabetes you have. You'll be treated by a specialist diabetes team in hospital or at your GP surgery. Type 1 diabetes treatmentincludes taking a medicine calledinsulinfor the rest of your life, and regularly checking your blood glucose (sugar) levels. Type 2 diabetes treatmentandgestational diabetes treatmentincludes lifestyle changes such as eating healthily, exercising and trying to lose weight, and sometimes medicines, such asmetforminor insulin.
Prevention
Type 1: no known prevention. Type 2: healthy weight; healthy diet (whole grains, fruits, vegetables); regular activity (150 min/week); manage prediabetes.
When to see a doctor
See GP if symptoms appear. Urgent: Type 1 symptoms worsening rapidly; DKA signs (vomiting, confusion, fast breathing). Screening recommended from age 40 (NHS) or earlier if risk factors.