Diabetes

There are two common types of Diabetes:

Type 1 Diabetes

Around 8% of the people with diabetes in UK have Type 1 Diabetes. This is a life-long and serious condition (Diabetes UK). Type 1 Diabetes can affect anyone – child or adult.

Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the insulin producing cells of the pancreas and destroys the cells.

When this happens, the body will still convert your food and drink to glucose. When glucose enters into the bloodstream however, there is no insulin to allow the glucose into the cells.

Your blood sugar levels in the bloodstream will then continue to rise.

Signs and symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes:

• Increased thirst
• Increased urinating
• Lethargy
• Lose weight in a short space of time
• Thrush ( oral and/or genital)
• Slow healing of wounds
• Blurred vision

Type 2 Diabetes

Around 90% of the people with diabetes in UK have Type 2 Diabetes. It is also a lifelong and serious condition (Diabetes UK)

Type 2 Diabetes is a condition in which your body is still producing insulin but may not work properly or the pancreas is not producing enough. This will result on your blood glucose levels rising.

Your body still converts your food and drink to glucose. The pancreas will then release insulin but because it may not work properly or it is not enough, your blood levels continue to rise and your Pancreas will continue to release insulin.

Signs and symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes:

The symptoms of Type 2 diabetes are the same as Type 1 diabetes but develops more slowly which is harder to spot during early stages.

Left untreated, it increases the effects of complications of major organs in your body.

The risk is higher with these factors:

• Age
• Hereditary
• Ethnicity
• High blood pressure
• Overweight

Please make an appointment with your GP if you suspect that you may have signs and symptoms of diabetes.

Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes are the most common forms of diabetes but there are other forms that are not as common.

For a story book to share with your child about their condition please click here.