Diabetes can affect all sorts of people no matter how healthy or unhealthy you are, here is how to spot the symptoms of it and how to treat it.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a serious lifelong condition that occurs when the amount of glucose in the blood is too high because the body can’t use it properly. Diabetes is about how insulin breaks down and moves glucose.

There is Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2. They are different conditions that are caused by different things but both serious and need to be treated properly.

What is the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks insulin producing cells meaning none are produced. No one really knows why this happens but scientists say it has nothing to do with diet or exercise.

Type 2 Diabetes is when the body is not producing enough insulin. This is caused by a combination or genetic and environmental factors.

What are the symptoms of Diabetes?

The most common signs are:

Going to the toilet a lot, especially at night.

Being really thirsty.

Feeling more tired than usual.

Losing weight without trying to.

Genital itching or thrush.

Cuts and wounds take longer to heal.

Blurred vision.

It is hard to ignore these as they can come on very quickly. Usually Type 1 is diagnosed in childhood or early adulthood. Type 2 can be easier to miss as it progresses a lot slower.

How can I treat Diabetes?

The treatment will depend on when it is spotted and the type of diabetes you have. If you have Type 1 you will need to treat the condition with insulin, you can inject yourself at home using the guidelines set out by your GP. Type 2 can initially be controlled by taking control of your diet and exercise.

Type 2 is a progressive condition and over time is likely to need medication to manage blood levels.

If left untreated Diabetes is likely to have a serious impact on all your major organs causing life threatening health issues on top of the Diabetes.

If you are worried you should contact your local GP to discuss treatment.

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