+ Your health
On 14 November it’s World Diabetes Day, raising awareness of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Katie Bareford, senior clinical advisor at Diabetes UK, has shared all you need to know about this life-changing medical condition. l Please visit: diabetes.org.uk
If you have any questions or concerns about managing your diabetes, contact the Diabetes UK Helpline on 0345 123 2399 or email helpline@diabetes. org.uk.
What’s the difference?
Understanding the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes is crucial for getting the right treatment and diagnosis not only for you, but for others around you, too.
•Type 1 diabetes is less common, making up about 8% of cases.
•It can occur at any age and the exact cause is unknown.
•Type 1 is an autoimmune condition where cells in the body that produce insulin are destroyed leading to high blood sugar levels.
•If type 1 diabetes goes undiagnosed, the high blood sugar levels can lead to a medical emergency called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) which can be fatal if left untreated.
• Diabetes UK uses the ‘4Ts’ to highlight the common symptoms of type 1 diabetes – Toilet, Thirsty, Tired and Thinner.
• Symptoms include – going to the toilet a lot to wee, bed wetting or heavier nappies in babies, being really thirsty and not being able to quench the thirst, feeling more tired and losing weight.
• About 90% of people with diabetes have type 2.
• Anyone can develop type 2 diabetes but some things can increase your risk, including – if you’re white and over 40, if you’re African Caribbean, Black African, Chinese or South Asian, if you are overweight or if you have a parent, brother or sister with it.
•Type 2 causes high blood sugar levels due to your body not making enough insulin or what it makes not working properly – known as insulin resistance.
•Some people might be able to reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
•Type 2 diabetes can go undiagnosed for years if symptoms are missed. If left untreated, high blood sugar levels can cause serious health problems.
•Symptoms are similar to type 1 diabetes but can also include blurred vision and wounds taking longer to heal.
Spotting a hypo
While managing your type 1 and type 2 diabetes, you can face complications. A h
