Diabetes awareness
Diabetes is a long-terms (chronic) condition caused by too much glucose (sugar) in the blood. It effects two million people in England and Wales; however, it is also thought that a further 750,000 people have the condition but are unaware of it.
There are two types of diabetes; type 1 and type 2. Type 2 is the most common form, accounting for around 95% of diabetes cases. Type 2 diabetes occurs when not enough insulin is produced by the body for it to function properly or when the body’s cells do not react to insulin. People with type 2 diabetes may be able to control symptoms simply by eating a healthy diet and monitoring blood glucose levels. However, as type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition, they may need to eventually take insulin medication, normally in the form of injections.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of diabetes are:
· feeling very thirsty,
· producing excessive amounts of urine (going to the toilet a lot),
· extreme tiredness (fatigue), and
· weight loss and muscle wasting (loss of muscle bulk).
Prevention
The exact cause of type 2 diabetes is not fully understood but there are many factors that can increase your chance of developing it. For example, you may be at risk of developing type 2 diabetes if you are:
- overweight or obese, and
- if you do not get enough regular exercise.
It may not be possible to prevent developing type 2 diabetes but by controlling the risk factors, you may be able to reduce your chances of getting the condition. For example, you should:- Lose weight, if you are overweight or obese.
- Keep your waist size under 31.5 inches (80cm) if you are a woman, 35 inches (90cm) if you are an Asian man, and 37 inches (94cm) if you are a man who is white, or black.
- Get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day.
- Do not smoke.
- Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels under control.
- Only drink alcohol in moderation.
This advice can help anyone to reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but it is particularly important for those who have an increased risk of developing the condition.
