About Type 2 Diabetes?

Diabetes develops when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, which causes too much glucose in the blood. 

There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 is when the body produces no insulin.

People with type 1 diabetes have to take insulin injections. 

Type 2, which is far more common, is when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or the body doesn’t react to insulin. 

In some cases it is possible to control the symptoms of type 2 diabetes by having a healthy diet and monitoring of blood sugar levels. 

People with type 2 diabetes may eventually have to take insulin medication.

Symptoms of diabetes

The main symptoms of diabetes are:

• feeling very thirsty

• urinating frequently, particularly at night

• feeling very tired

• weight loss and loss of muscle bulk

Type 1 diabetes can develop quickly, over weeks or even days.

Many people have type 2 diabetes for years without realising because early symptoms tend to be general.

What causes diabetes? 

The amount of sugar in the blood is usually controlled by a hormone called insulin, which is produced by the pancreas (a gland behind the stomach).

When food is digested and enters your bloodstream, insulin moves glucose out of the blood and into cells, where it is broken down to produce energy.

However, if you have diabetes, your body is unable to break down glucose into energy. This is because there is either not enough insulin to move the glucose, or the insulin produced does not work properly.

Type 2 diabetes 

Type 2 diabetes is where the body does not produce enough insulin, or the body's cells do not react to insulin. This is known as insulin resistance.

Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1 diabetes. In the UK, around 90% of all adults with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.

If you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you may be able to control your symptoms simply by eating a healthy diet and monitoring your blood glucose level. However, as type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition, you may eventually need medication, usually in the form of tablets.

Type 2 diabetes is often associated with obesity. Obesity-related diabetes is sometimes referred to as maturity-onset diabetes because it is more common in older people.

Use the BMI healthyweight calculator to check you are a healthy weight