Diabetes: introduction

• Type 1 Diabetes results from reduced or absolute deficiency in the production of the hormone insulin, resistance of body tissues to the effect of insulin, or both. The result is abnormally high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood and widespread disturbances to its metabolism.
• Type 2 diabetes results from insulin resistance where body tissue does not respond effectively to insulin and over time relative insulin deficiency where the pancreas can no longer increase production of insulin to compensate.
• Type 2 diabetes is the most prevalent form (around 90% of cases) and is more common in adulthood and those who are overweight. Type 2 diabetes can be preventable and can be managed or reversed (in some cases) with medication, dietary and activity changes. Sometimes, in severe cases, type 2 diabetes is also treated with Insulin.
• The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing rapidly in the UK and worldwide, associated with increasing levels of obesity and ageing populations.
• Type 1 diabetes can develop at any age and requires treatment with insulin. At present, it is not preventable or reversible.
• The prevalence of child and adolescent onset Type 1 diabetes is increasing worldwide. There is a substantial burden of adult onset diabetes worldwide, contrary to previous beliefs that type 1 was a disease of childhood.
• Gestational diabetes develops when the maternal body cannot meet the extra insulin needs of pregnancy, resulting in high blood glucose levels. The condition usually resolves after giving birth but predisposed to type 2 diabetes in later life.
• Diabetes can lead to death and disability when complications are not treated in a timely and effective way. It has macrovascular consequences including coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease (poor circulation, usually in the legs) and also microvascular consequences including renal (kidney) failure, , neuropathy (damage to nerves) and visual problems, including blindness.