14 November is World Diabetes Day. Comprising hundreds of campaigns, activities, screenings, lectures and meetings, the aim of World Diabetes Day is to spread information about diabetes and raise awareness of the condition.
The date also marks the birthday of the man who co-discovered insulin in 1922, Frederick Banting, who .
While the 10% of those with Type 1 diabetes are usually diagnosed from an early age, the 90% of sufferers with Type 2 can develop the disease at any age.
Shadow Home secretary Diane Abbott, Oscar winning actor Tom Hanks and tennis great Billie Jean-King all suffer from Type 2, while Prime Minister Theresa May is a Type 1 diabetic.
May has been a vocal supporter of World Diabetes Day tweeting: “When I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, it came as a shock. But to all of you with diabetes, on World Diabetes Day, I want to say this: Type 1 Diabetes should not stop you from fulfilling your ambitions.”
Here’s what you need to know about Type 2 and how to spot the symptoms:
What Is Type 2 Diabetes?
Diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce sufficient insulin to control the amount of glucose, or sugar, in the blood. Patients with Type 1 diabetes, which accounts for ten per cent of cases, cannot produce any insulin, while the 90 per cent with Type 2 either don’t produce enough or their cells do not react to it.
Is It Common?
Yes and growing. Diabetes UK says the disease is “the fastest growing health threat of our times and an urgent public health issue”. One person every two minutes is diagnosed with diabetes and almost 3.5 million people in the UK have the disease – more than double the level 20 years ago. In addition, there are an estimated 1.1 million Britons who have not yet been diagnosed.
How Do You Develop Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes usually develops in middle-aged or older people, but there has been a rise in cases among young, overweight people. Obesity accounts for 80-85 per cent of the overall risk of developing the disease, Diabetes UK says, and given that most six out of ten adults in the UK are now overweight or obese, that’s bad news.
Deprivation is also a factor – since poverty levels are strongly associated with higher obesity levels, unhealthy diets and smoking, the poorest fifth of the population is about twice as likely to be diagnosed as the richest fifth.
Plus your genetic make-up plays a strong part. South Asians and black people are two to four times more likely to develop it than their caucasian counterparts, while people who have sufferers in their family are two to six times more likely.
Why Does Blood Sugar Matter?
Insulin is a hormone – it’s often described as a “key”, allowing sugar access to the cells. Without it, your body doesn’t get the energy it needs from the glucose you eat.
It works by storing any excess sugar in your blood in your liver and then releasing the sugar when you need it. The more sugar in your blood, the more insulin your body produces to handle it.
However, diabetes sufferers can’t self-regulate in this way, leaving them at risk of hypoglycaemia (a “hypo”) if their blood sugar levels fall too low, usually because they have taken too much insulin or haven’t eaten enough food. When their blood sugar levels are too high, they can suffer from hyperglycaemia (a “hyper”).
What Are The Symptoms And How Can They Be Treated?
Overly-low levels of blood sugar can make you feel shaky, moody and tired, sweat, look pale, give you a headache or make you unable to concentrate. If you have a hypo, you need to eat something sugary as soon as possible – fruit juice, non-diet cola, sweets or glucose tablets. Doctors recommend never missing meals, eating enough carbohydrates – especially if you’re exercising more than normal – and not drinking alcohol on an empty stomach.
Someone with exceptionally high levels of blood sugar might have blurred vision or feel fatigued, as well as have an increased thirst or hunger. They might need their insulin dose adjusted, or to eat often but watching their intake of sugar and carbohydrates, as well as limiting alcohol. Eating lots of fruit, vegetables and whole grains is recommended, as it plenty of exercise to keep levels down.
If diabetes is not well-managed, sufferers are at risk of a whole range of nasty complications, including strokes, heart disease and even amputations.
How Do I Know If I Have Diabetes?
If you have any of the above symptoms, go to your GP. They will check your urine and collect a blood sample to test your blood sugar levels. If you’re diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor will prescribe medication, recommend changes to your diet and arrange regular check-ups.
Can I Avoid Getting It?
The best way is by doing all the good things you know you should be doing anyway – exercise, eat healthily, quit smoking and watch your blood pressure.