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What is Diabetes and how can home test kits help?

Glucose provides the body with energy and after eating the levels of glucose in the blood increase. In order to make the glucose available to you body for energy it releases a hormone called insulin. This hormone also makes sure your blood glucose level doesn’t get too high or too low.

If you have diabetes you either produce too little insulin or resist its effects. Your body then uses other sources of energy and unused glucose in the blood builds up.

There are two main types of Diabetes;

Type 1 & Type 2

The one that affects most people is Type 2 and usually develops in people aged over 40 but can affect you at any age. The symptoms develop slowly and some people don’t notice anything for many years. It can often be treated successfully with a healthy balanced diet and physical activity, or with the addition of tablets or insulin injections.

Type 1 diabetes

• Type 1 diabetes develops when the insulin producing cells in the pancreas have been destroyed and therefore the body cannot produce any insulin
• The exact cause of the destruction of the cells is not known
• The most likely cause is the body having an abnormal reaction to the cells which could be triggered by a viral or other infection
• The symptoms are obvious and develop very quickly Symptoms are: weight loss, excessive passing of urine, constant thirst, tiredness, blurred vision, itchy skin around the genitals or regular infections, such as thrush
• Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age and commonly starts in childhood
• Type 1 diabetes accounts for between 5 and 15 per cent of all people with diabetes and is always treated by daily insulin injections, a healthy diet and regular physical activity
• There is nothing that you can do to prevent Type 1 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes

• Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body is still producing some insulin however it is not enough or it is not working properly
• Type 2 diabetes usually occurs in people over the age of 40
• The symptoms of Type 2 diabetes are usually less obvious and develop relatively slowly, with some people not noticing any symptoms for many years

You are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes if :

• You are overweight or obese – this is the single biggest risk factor
• You are over 40 and Caucasian
• You are of South Asian, African Caribbean, Black African or Chinese descent and aged over 25 years
• Your waist measure 37 inches for men and 31.5 inches for women
• You have a family history of diabetes
• You have high blood pressure, or have had a heart attack or stroke
• You have had high blood glucose in the past
• You don’t take at least 30 minutes of exercise daily
• You have given birth to a large baby (over 4kg/9lb)
• You don’t regularly eat fruit and vegetables

Type 2 diabetes accounts for between 85 and 95 per cent of all people with diabetes and is treated with a healthy diet and increased physical activity. In addition to this, medication and/or insulin is often required.

Diabetes can lead to a number of serious complications

Including high blood pressure, stroke, eye damage (even blindness), nerve damage, coronary heart disease, high cholesterol, kidney failure, leg ulcers and amputations. Many people have already developed one complication or more by the time they’re diagnosed, so finding out early is crucial.

Who gets Diabetes?

The vast majority of people with Diabetes have Type 2. You’re most at risk of Type 2 Diabetes if:

• Your BMI (Body Mass Index) is greater than 30 - this is the single biggest risk factor
• You’re white and aged over 40 years You belong to an ethnic minority group - South Asian, African Caribbean, Black African or Chinese descent and aged over 25 years
• Your waist measures over 37” for men, 31.5” for women
• You have a family history of Diabetes
• You have high blood pressure, heart disease or have had a heart attack or stroke
• You have high cholesterol
• You have had high blood glucose in the past
• You don’t take at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily
• You gave birth to a large baby (over 4kg/9lb)
• You don’t regularly eat fruit and vegetables

What happens if I am diagnosed with diabetes?

Although diabetes cannot yet be cured, there are many things that you and your healthcare team can do to manage your condition and reduce its impact on your day-to-day life.

Our diabetes home test kits can help you check whether you have diabetes and help you to manage your diabetes.

If you have any further questions or would like more advice on diabetes, you can contact Diabetes UK on 0845 123 2399 or visit their website at www.diabetes.org.uk.