What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a common condition in which the glucose (sugar) level in the blood is too high. Normally, a hormone called insulin, which is produced by the pancreas, controls the level of glucose in the blood. Insulin helps glucose to enter the cells where it is used as fuel by your body. If there is not enough insulin, or if the insulin you have is not working properly, then glucose can build up in your blood as a result.

There are two main types of diabetes

Type 1 diabetes occurs when there is no production (or very little) of insulin in the body. This type of diabetes usually appears in children and younger people - less than 40 years old. It is treated by insulin injections and healthy diet.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and over 80% of people who have it are overweight. Type 2 diabetes starts when the body still makes some insulin, but not enough, or when the insulin that is produced does not work properly (insulin resistance). It is treated by healthy diet alone, or by diet and tablets, or sometimes by diet and tablets and insulin injections.