This is an autoimmune condition in which the body’s defence system attacks ‘self’ and destroys the beta cells of the pancreas that produce insulin. Although people of any age can develop and have the condition, type 1 diabetes usually develops in children or young adults. Treatment requires ‘hormone replacement therapy’ of two to four or more insulin injections daily for life, to replace the missing insulin and to keep blood glucose levels within a healthy range as much as possible. People with type 1 diabetes are otherwise healthy if blood glucose levels are well managed.

Type 2 diabetes is a complex and progressive disorder in which a relative lack of insulin occurs together with resistance to its action. It affects around 90 % of the population who have diabetes and has a strong correlation with the ‘Westernised lifestyle’ associated with a lack of exercise, poor eating habits and gain of excess fat (particularly around the tummy region). This way of living may result in the development of insulin resistance and eventually, diabetes.

As there is a general lack of symptoms, the diagnosis is often made when a complication appears or when a routine blood or urine glucose test is done. Treatment always begins with lifestyle change (getting active, healthy eating and loss of tummy fat) as a priority, to which a variety of oral (tablet) and injectable (including insulin) therapies may also be added, over time. The good news is that successful lifestyle management resulting in a dramatic loss of excess tummy fat and increased insulin sensitivity can slow this progression dramatically. It may even put your diabetes into ‘remission’ (normal blood glucose values on no treatment). Speak to your diabetes team about how to achieve this.