Diabetes

Diabetes is a fairly common condition in the UK. Over 2,000,000 people in England have the disorder and many more have the condition but don’t know it. Type 1 and type 2 are the most common forms. The causes of both types are different, but both result in too much glucose in the blood causing hyperactivity and shakiness. Type 1 diabetes is caused by the body’s failure to produce any insulin. Insulin is a hormone released by the pancreas to help control levels of glucose in the blood. It’s sometimes called juvenile diabetes or early-onset diabetes because it usually appears before the age of 40, most commonly during teenage years. Type 2 diabetes is caused by the body not producing enough insulin or not using what it produces effectively enough to control sugar levels. It’s the most common form and accounts for around 90% of all diabetes. Diabetes can increase the risk of developing other conditions, such as heart disease and liver failure. It can be managed effectively and many people with diabetes lead a healthy and active life. Diabetes can also occur in the middle stages of pregnancy. This is known as gestational diabetes. Some pregnant women have high levels of glucose in their blood because their bodies do not produce enough insulin to meet the extra demands of pregnancy and the baby. It affects less than one in 20 pregnant women and usually disappears after birth. However women with gestational diabetes are more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.