What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition which means your blood glucose levels are very erratic without intervention. There are two types - type 1 and type 2.

If you've got type 1 diabetes then the beta cells don't produce any insulin. After eating, the blood glucose levels rise and stay high - this can cause hyperglycaemia, this could be life-threatening. The kidneys can't absorb all the excess glucose so some of it's excreted in the urine. Type 1 Diabetes is treated through regular insulin injections, these, of course, need very careful monitoring because too much could cause a dangerous drop in blood glucose - hypoglycaemia. On top of that, a carefully monitored diet and controlling simple carbohydrate (glucose) intake can avoid sudden rises.

Type 2 diabetes is often acquired later in life and in most cases, is linked with obesity. In this case, the beta cells aren't producing enough insulin, or the body's cells aren't properly responding to the insulin. The cells might not be responding properly to insulin because receptors on the cell membranes may not be working properly. In short, the blood glucose level is higher than normal. This type of diabetes can be controlled by eating well, loosing weight and monitoring glucose intake. If all else fails, glucose lowering tablets can be prescribed if weight-loss and diet control can't control it.