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Information, Advice and sources of support for young people in Suffolk

Diabetes

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  3. Diabetes

“What is Diabetes?“

Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high.

It can be kept under control by following a healthy lifestyle (such as having a healthy diet, being active and getting enough sleep) and taking a little advice from your doctor. This means people living with diabetes can have a normal active life like everyone else.

Watch the video below titled ‘I Can: Diabetes doesn’t stop me’.

“What are the two types of Diabetes?“

There are two types of Diabetes people can have:

Type 1  – 

Develops if your body can’t produce any insulin.

People with type 1 diabetes require regular insulin injections to correct the lack of natural insulin.

Usually affects young people, often in childhood, and is the least common of the two forms of diabetes.

Type 2  – 

Develops if your body can still make some insulin, but not enough; or because the cells in your body are not using the insulin properly. This is called ‘insulin resistance’.

The number of young people with type 2 diabetes has increased in the UK, and it is much more common in people who are overweight or obese.

Useful website for advice and support around diabetes:

"What are the myths about Diabetes?"

- You can catch Diabetes from someone else! - You can't, it's not a condition that is contagious.

- Eating too much sugar causes Diabetes! - It doesn't, a diet high in fat and sugar can cause you to become overweight and this increases your risk of developing Diabetes.

- People with Diabetes can't have any sugar! - Having Diabetes doesn't mean you have to have a sugar-free diet. People with Diabetes should have a healthy balanced diet which can include small amounts of sugar.
“Where can I get advice and support?”

Look out for these symptoms:

  1. feeling very thirsty
  2. peeing more frequently than usual, particularly at night
  3. feeling very tired
  4. weight loss and loss of muscle
  5. itching around the penis or vagina
  6. blurred vision
  • If you are concerned speak to your GP.
  • Call Diabetes UK Helpline 0345 123 2399 – for people with diabetes or who are worried they might be at risk.
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Page updated on August 30th, 2024 at 02:04pm