Type 2 Diabetes

​Diabetes is an autoimmune disease that permanently destroys cells in a part of the pancreas (the pancreas is a large gland located behind the stomach), this means the body is no longer able to produce the right amount of insulin needed to break down glucose/sugar within the body. Type 2 suffers develop the condition when the cells in the body are not able to produce enough insulin or when the insulin produced doesn't work effectively.

You can be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at any age, however type 2 diabetes typically occurs in people over 40, although across the world it appears to be becoming increasingly more common in younger generations of all ethnicities.

There are an estimated 2.9 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the U.K alone with 85/90 % of this figure being a type 2 diagnosis. It is thought that there could be an estimated 850,000 people with undiagnosed diabetes.

Insulin within the body is a hormone produced by the pancreas, this allows glucose/sugar to enter our cells from our bloodstream so it can be used as fuel to provide us energy to work, play and enjoy our lives. Glucose is digested and broken down from carbohydrates but also produced by our liver. Once the pancreas no longer provides the body with the insulin needed the glucose builds up in the blood stream and doesn't get processed to the cells for use as fuel. If your body doesn't produce enough insulin this is known as an insulin deficiency and if your body does produce the insulin but is ineffective this is known as insulin resistant.

Once you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes you will need to take regular medication or insulin doses to maintain lower blood sugars.

​What causes Diabetes?

It is commonly thought to be caused by a combination of genetics and environmental triggers as well as viruses or infections. This then causes the immune system to destroy its own insulin reproductive cells.
It is not well understood as to why the body behaves like this in diabetic sufferers.

Unfortunately you cannot reverse the effects of type 1 diabetes you will need to learn and monitor your food intake, physical activity output and general well-being regularly with the help of a blood glucose monitor, this will give an indication to how certain foods, activities and even stress effects your blood glucose readings which will indicate your need for insulin.

Complications linked to Type 1 Diabetes. ​

Heart Disease
Strokes
Retinopathy
Kidney Disease​
Neuropathy

* Diabetes is a very complicated and varied disease, if you have any concerns or questions about diabetes or any other health issues please consult your Doctor or GP.