Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high because the body cannot use it properly. There are two main types of diabetes. These are: Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes develops when the body can still make some insulin, but not enough, or when the insulin that is produced does not work properly (known as insulin resistance). Type 2 diabetes is the more common of the two main types and accounts for between 85 - 95% of all people with diabetes.
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What causes diabetes?
Diabetes is caused by many factors, some of which you could not have done anything about, for example, your genetic makeup, your age, or if you have previously had gestational diabetes. Certain lifestyle factors, such as being overweight, eating a poor diet, or taking little exercise can increase a person’s risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Can diabetes be cured?
Currently there is no cure for diabetes. Once you have been diagnosed with diabetes you have it for life. Diabetes can only be well managed. Type 2 diabetes is managed with a healthy lifestyle as well as some medications and possibly insulin.
How will being diagnosed with diabetes change my life?
Everyone is individual but you may have to attend more hospital or GP appointments. You will probably need to make different food choices, become more active, and lose some weight if you need to. You may be testing your own glucose levels at home and write them down. You might also be asked to take certain medications by your doctor.
What should I do now?
It is important that you, in partnership with your diabetes team, put together a treatment plan that works for you. Learning about your condition and talking to others will help you to learn to take control.
The best way to help yourself is to be aware of what your blood glucose, blood fat (including cholesterol) and blood pressure readings are, take any medication that you have been prescribed to treat any of these, attend all of your healthcare appointments, lose weight if you need to or maintain your current weight if it’s within the recommended range for your height, eat healthily most of the time, stop smoking if you do, don’t drink more than the recommended levels of alcohol and be as active as you can be. Doing all of these things, will help to reduce the risk of developing the complications of diabetes.
