Diabetes

Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person's blood sugar level to become too high. 

There are 2 main types of diabetes: 

Type 1 diabetes is caused by the body's immune system attacking and destroying the cells that produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone released by the pancreas to help control levels of sugar in the blood. It can occur at any age but usually appears before the age of 40. We are still not sure what causes Type 1 diabetes to develop. It is not caused by diet or lifestyle in the same way as Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is always treated with insulin.

Type 2 diabetes is caused by the body not producing enough insulin, or the body's cells not reacting to insulin. It is the most usual type and accounts for around 90% of all diabetes. It is treated with dietary changes, medication and sometimes insulin.

You can find out your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and what steps you should take next based on your risk by completing the Diabetes UK short online questionnaire.

Diabetes can increase the risk of developing other conditions, such as heart disease. It can be managed effectively, and many people lead a healthy, active life.

Live Well on NHS.uk

NHS advice about healthy living, including mental health, eating a balanced diet, healthy weight, exercise, quitting smoking and drinking less alcohol.

Live well