Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also known as blood sugars, are too high. Blood glucose is your main source of energy and comes from the food you eat. Insulin is the hormone that helps the glucose from your food get into your cells to be used for energy. Diabetes happens when your body doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use insulin well. 

Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is often diagnosed in children, teenagers or young adults. People with Type 1 Diabetes produce no insulin and therefore must inject insulin to control sugar levels. 

Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is most common in adults over the age of 40. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body doesn’t use insulin well and cannot control blood sugars. Type 2 diabetes develops over many years and symptoms are often not noticed, highlighting the importance of regular blood glucose checks. 

Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by a healthy lifestyle often involving weight loss, a healthy diet and exercise. 

Symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes can vary. Some common symptoms are:

• Tiredness
• Increased thirst
• Frequent passing of urine
• Unexplained weight loss
• Blurred vision
• Recurrent thrush infection
• Slow healing wounds