Diabetes: introduction

• Type 1 Diabetes results from reduced or absolute deficiency in the production of the hormone insulin, resistance of body tissues to the effect of insulin, or both. The result is abnormally high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood and widespread disturbances to its metabolism.  
• Type 1 diabetes can develop at any age and requires treatment with insulin. At present, it is not preventable or reversible. 
• The prevalence of child and adolescent onset Type 1 diabetes is increasing worldwide. There is a substantial burden of adult onset type 1 diabetes worldwide, contrary to previous beliefs that type 1 was a disease of childhood.  
• Type 2 diabetes results from insulin resistance where body tissue does not respond effectively to insulin and over time relative insulin deficiency where the pancreas can no longer increase production of insulin to compensate.  
• Type 2 diabetes is the most prevalent form (around 90% of cases) and is more common in adulthood and those who are overweight. Type 2 diabetes can be preventable and can in some cases be managed or reversed with medication, dietary and activity changes. Sometimes, type 2 diabetes is also treated with Insulin. 
• The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing rapidly in the UK and worldwide, associated with increasing levels of obesity and ageing populations.  
• Gestational diabetes develops when the maternal body cannot meet the extra insulin needs of pregnancy, resulting in high blood glucose levels. The condition usually resolves after giving birth but predisposed to type 2 diabetes in later life.  
• Diabetes can lead to death and disability when complications are not treated in a timely and effective way. It has macrovascular consequences including coronary heart disease, stroke and poor circulation, usually in the legs, and also microvascular consequences including kidney failure, neuropathy (damage to nerves) and visual problems, including blindness.