Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition that causes a person's blood sugar level to become abnormal.
There are two main types of diabetes:
- Type 1 Diabetes – where the body's immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin
- Type 2 Diabetes – where the body doesn't produce enough insulin, or the body's cells don't react to insulin
Insulin is a hormone made in the pancreas (an organ near your stomach) that helps your body digest sugars (carbohydrate) and helps you use sugar for energy. Medication, insulin and/or dietary changes can help your body process sugar and maintain healthier blood sugar levels.
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.
During pregnancy, some women have such high levels of blood glucose that their body is unable to produce enough insulin to absorb it all. This is known as Gestational Diabetes.
Weight Management
Take a look at our 'diet and lifestyle' page for more general information about managing your weight and recipe ideas
Kirstie and Lauren, our treatment room nurses, have put together some Diabetes Agony Aunt style advice for some frequently asked questions.