Types, causes and symptoms
Diabetes occurs when your body's metabolism cannot convert the sugar in your food
into the energy your body needs to work properly. There are two types of diabetes,
Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes affects approximately 5.3 million people worldwide and occurs when
your body fails to produce any or enough of an important hormone called insulin.
It is an auto-immune disease in which the beta-cells of the pancreas are destroyed.
Beta-cell destruction eventually results in a complete inability to produce insulin.
Without insulin, blood glucose levels increase significantly which can lead to chronic
and potentially fatal conditions. Patients with Type 1 diabetes must take daily insulin
injections in order to survive.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is by far the most common form of diabetes, accounting for 9 out
of 10 cases. It occurs when your body does not produce enough insulin or is no longer
sensitive to the insulin produced. This in turn leads to higher than normal sugar levels
in your bloodstream and, if left uncontrolled, this can lead to a number of dangerous
complications, for example, heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. The key risk factor
for Type 2 diabetes is obesity, and as populations throughout the world assume a sedentary
lifestyle, the incidence of Type 2 diabetes increases. Most patients with Type 2 diabetes
are over the age of 40. However, the incidence in young people is increasing. It is also
thought that a large percentage of people who have Type 2 diabetes are undiagnosed.
Causes of diabetes
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is caused by the cells in the pancreas being destroyed or damaged so that
they cannot produce enough insulin. You are more likely to develop Type 1 diabetes if another
member of your family has it.
Type 2 diabetes
Doctors believe that Type 2 diabetes is triggered by aspects of the modern western lifestyle,
including poor diet and lack of exercise. Other factors may also increase your vulnerability,
including whether it runs in your family, your ethnic background, your age, or whether you have
high cholesterol or
high blood pressure.
Symptoms of diabetes
The most common symptoms are a feeling of constant thirst and frequent need to urinate.
You may also feel tired, lose weight or muscle bulk and experience blurred vision.
You may, however, not be aware of these symptoms as they normally build up very gradually over time.
Many people are quite surprised when their GP tells them they may have diabetes.
View graphic depictions of diabetes
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