Understanding diabetes

Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes

There are two type of diabetes – Type 1 and Type 2.

Type 1 diabetes is not linked with age or being overweight. The causes are unknown and it is unpreventable. Only 10% of people with diabetes have Type 1.

Type 2 diabetes is much more common. It is linked to lifestyle factors and develops over time. Unlike Type 1 diabetes, it is largely preventable.

What happens

When you become Type 2 diabetic your body stops producing enough insulin, or your body’s cells stop reacting to insulin.

These means that the level of sugar (glucose) in your blood becomes too high.

We get glucose when our body breaks down foods which contain carbohydrates such as bread, cereals, fruit and veg and some dairy products. This glucose enters the blood stream and it is insulin that allows us to use this for energy.

When you become Type 2 diabetic your body stops producing enough insulin, or your body’s cells stop reacting to insulin.

These means that the level of sugar (glucose) in your blood becomes too high.

If not treated properly it can affect almost every part of their body and lead to serious health problems like blindness, amputation, stroke and heart attacks.