Diabetes is a lifelong condition and there is no cure at the moment; however, there is no reason why people with diabetes cannot live a healthy, fulfilled life.

Managing type 1 diabetes

As there is no cure for diabetes, insulin management is very important; all patients with diabetes in the UK will be referred to a specialist team, which will take care of all aspects of their treatment. Patients will be taught how to administer their insulin, how to control their blood sugar levels by eating certain foods and avoiding others, when to eat and when to inject insulin and how to manage symptoms; they may be prescribed medication to ease symptoms.

For many people, living with diabetes is about getting used to the routine of eating and injecting insulin; once they get used to the routine, they can adapt this to daily life and are able to keep on top of their blood sugar levels.

Managing type 2 diabetes

In many cases, making lifestyle changes can help to control symptoms associated with type 2 diabetes; eating a healthy diet, cutting out sugary, salty and fatty foods, giving up smoking and drinking and exercising on a regular basis can help to control blood sugar and symptoms. If lifestyle changes are not sufficient and the condition becomes more advanced, medication may be prescribed to reduce blood sugar. Diabetics are advised to attend regular appointments with their doctor, so that they can keep an eye on their condition and suggest appropriate courses of action; for example, if an individual has made changes to their lifestyle but their blood sugar levels are still not regular, they may be prescribed medication.

Reducing the risk of health issues

Patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes are at risk of developing other health complications and conditions, including:

?      Heart disease

?      Stroke

?      Kidney disease

?      Foot ulcers

?      Vision problems

?      Skin lesions

?      Loss of muscle mass

In order to reduce the risk of developing these conditions, there are steps you can follow:

?      Take medication as prescribed

?      Take your insulin properly

?      Maintain a stable, healthy weight

?      Avoid smoking

?      Eat healthily

?      Exercise on a regular basis (try to do 30 minutes of moderate exercise 4-5 times a week)

?      Check your feet and see your doctor if you see signs of ulcers or other problems

?      Attend regular check-ups with your care team

Living with teenage diabetes

The teenage years can be challenging for most people, but for teenagers with diabetes, they can be particularly difficult. Diabetes is more difficult to control during puberty, due to the hormonal changes going on in the body. Teenagers may also get frustrated that they cannot join in all aspects of teenage life and they become embarrassed about having to inject themselves at school or college; some get so down about having diabetes that they stop keeping an eye on their insulin and their blood sugars swing from too high to too low.

In order to cope with diabetes during the teenage years, many teenagers with diabetes have set up websites and forums to help other people with the condition and offer support and advice; they recommend spending time with other teenagers with diabetes, focusing on positive events, occasions and activities, getting used to a routine and aiming high. Many celebrities have also written about coping with diabetes, which some people find helpful and inspirational.

If you are having trouble coping with teenage diabetes, talk to somebody about it; you can see members of staff from your care team, talk to your GP or contact local support groups or diabetes charities, such as Diabetes UK.

There is a significant amount of research being undertaken in the UK and in other countries around the world at the moment, in both teenage diabetes and for groups of all ages. Research is being carried out in a number of different areas and different companies, charities and organisations are contributing to the funding of these studies.

What is the aim of diabetes research?

The main aim of diabetes research is to find a cure for diabetes; however, research is also being carried out to improve management techniques and improve treatment for symptoms associated with diabetes.

Diabetes UK and research

Diabetes UK is the UK’s primary diabetes charity; every year it offers advice and support to thousands of people affected by diabetes, as well as contributing millions of pounds to research projects every year. The charity funds a range of different research projects, which are focused on different aspects of diabetes, such as treatments, management and the science behind the condition and associated symptoms and complications.

Why is research important?

Research into diabetes is extremely important because many people are affected by the condition and there is currently no cure. Research is needed to ensure that people can live an independent and healthy lifestyle and effective management of the disease will also save the NHS millions of pounds every year; if diabetes is managed effectively, there is a lower risk of patients developing complex health complications, which are expensive to treat; patients will also be less likely to suffer from pain and unpleasant symptoms.

Due to the increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes, research into diabetes is more important than ever before; every year millions of people across the globe are affected by the condition and research is being used to identify new and innovative ways to reduce symptoms and increase control of blood glucose levels.

There are two types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is most common in younger people and is often known as juvenile diabetes; type 2 diabetes is most common amongst adults and accounts for 90 percent of cases of diabetes in the UK.

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is much less common than type 2 diabetes; it accounts for 10 percent of all cases of diabetes in the UK and usually affects teenagers. Type 1 diabetes is sometimes known as juvenile, early-onset, or teenage diabetes because it develops in people under the age of 40.

What causes type 1 diabetes?

Blood sugar is monitored by a hormone known as insulin, which is usually produced by the pancreas; people with type 1 diabetes do not produce any insulin and therefore cannot regulate glucose levels in the blood. The reason why some people do not produce insulin is not fully understood, but researchers believe that type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, which means that the immune system mistakes something harmless for a harmful substance and starts to attack it; in the case of type 1 diabetes, it is believed that the immune system starts to attack the cells that produce insulin in the pancreas and this prevents them from producing insulin in the future.

Type 1 diabetes usually runs in families, although the risk of developing the condition is still small, even if you have a close relative with type 1 diabetes; if you have a sibling or a parent with type 1 diabetes, there is around a 6 percent chance you will develop the condition. If you do not have a close relative with type 1 diabetes, there is a 0.4 percent chance of developing the condition.

How is type 1 diabetes treated?

Type 1 diabetes cannot be cured and people with the condition must inject insulin into their bodies on a daily basis (sometimes several times a day) or use an insulin pump. All patients with type 1 diabetes in the UK are referred to a specialist care team, who take care of all aspects of their treatment, including teaching patients how to use insulin injections and monitor their blood glucose levels, administering treatments to ease symptoms and advising patients about eating plans and regulating sugar intake.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is much more common than type 1 diabetes and more and more people are being diagnosed with the condition thanks to poor eating habits, an increasingly sedentary lifestyle and an increase in obesity.

What causes type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body cannot regulate glucose levels in the blood; this is usually either due to the fact that the body is not producing enough insulin or because the insulin that is being produced by the pancreas is not working properly.

Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include:

?      Family history: you are more likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes if you have a close relative with the condition

?      Age: the risk of type 2 diabetes increases with age; if you are aged over 40 you are more likely to develop the condition

?      Weight: if you are overweight or obese you are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes

?      Race: if you are Asian, Middle-Eastern or African-Caribbean, you are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes

What are the symptoms of type 2 diabetes?

Common symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:

?      Urinating frequently, especially during the night

?      Being thirsty all the time

?      Weight loss

?      Fatigue

?      Loss of muscle mass

How is type 2 diabetes treated?

In many cases, making changes to your lifestyle can make a huge difference; eating healthily and cutting out foods that are high in sugar, fat and salt, exercising on a regular basis and giving up drinking and smoking can help to control symptoms of diabetes and regulate blood glucose levels without the need for additional treatment. Type 2 diabetes usually gets gradually worse so medication may be required further down the line; medication is used to reduce blood sugar levels.

Causes of type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes occurs when an individual does not produce any insulin; insulin is the hormone which controls blood glucose levels. Insulin is produced by the pancreas; when you eat, it is released into the bloodstream, where it takes glucose out of the blood and takes it to the cells to use for energy. People with type 1 diabetes do not produce insulin, which means that the glucose is not taken out of the bloodstream and delivered to the cells. Type 1 diabetes is sometimes known as juvenile diabetes or teenage diabetes because it usually develops in younger people.

It is not fully understood why some people do not produce insulin but scientists believe that type 1 diabetes is a form of autoimmune condition, which means that the body’s immune system mistakes a harmless substance or trigger for something harmful and starts to attack it. In the case of type 1 diabetes, the immune system starts to attack the cells in the pancreas that are responsible for producing insulin; this means that they are no longer able to produce insulin. It is not known what triggers the autoimmune response but there is some evidence to suggest that viral infections can sometimes trigger the response.

Type 1 diabetes also tends to run in families so genetics play a part; if you have a close relative with type 1 diabetes, there is a 6 percent chance of developing the condition.

In rare cases, type 1 diabetes may be caused by pancreatitis, a condition which occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed.

Causes of type 2 diabetes

The exact cause of type 2 diabetes is not yet fully understood; however, a number of risk factors have been identified; these include:

?      Age: risk increases after the age of 40

?      Race and heritage: people who are Asian are most likely to develop type 2 diabetes; type 2 diabetes is six times more common amongst Asian people than white people in the UK. People with Middle-Eastern and African-Caribbean heritage are also more likely to develop type 2 diabetes; they are 3 times more likely to develop the condition than white people.

?      Being overweight or obese. Waist size is particularly important; women with a waist measurement of over 31.5 inches and men with a waist measurement of over 35 inches if they are Asian or 37 inches if they are white or black. Losing even 5 percent of your bodyweight can reduce your chance of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 50 percent. You can assess your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by measuring your waist and calculating your BMI (sometimes the BMI result is not very accurate; for example, professional rugby players may be very fit and healthy but their BMI will be higher than the recommended range because they have a lot of muscle).

?      Family history: you are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you have a close relative with the condition.

?      High blood pressure: if you have high blood pressure or you have had a stroke or a heart attack, you are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.

?      Impaired glucose tolerance: if you have been diagnosed with impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting glycaemia, this may be an early sign of type 2 diabetes.

?      Gestational diabetes: some women develop diabetes during pregnancy; if this is the case, they will be more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.

Puberty can be a very difficult time for all children because of the physical and psychological changes they go through. However, for teenage diabetes youngsters it can be a particularly challenging time. Stress often makes diabetes symptoms worse and as puberty can be a stressful time, many teenagers find that they go through periods of time when their symptoms get worse and they get increasingly fed up with their condition.

How does diabetes affect puberty?

Diabetes affects puberty in different ways depending on the individual; some teenagers may suffer much more than others during puberty. Diabetes can affect puberty in different ways, as follows:

Psychological effects

During puberty many teenagers feel under pressure to fit in and injecting insulin and eating special foods at specific times can be a hindrance to their social life; they may start to feel isolated and different and in extreme cases, teenagers may rebel against their routine in a bid to conform to the life that other teenagers are living; they may stop regulating their insulin and this can potentially be very serious. Most teenagers suffer from self-esteem issues and problems with confidence at some point during puberty, but for teenagers with diabetes, these problems can be ongoing and more severe. Some teenagers may become frustrated, angry and aggressive in reaction to the changes their body is undergoing as a result of puberty.

Physiological effects

As a result of the hormonal changes going on in the body during puberty, it may become more difficult for teenagers with diabetes to control their blood glucose levels; this is particularly true for teenage girls, as their blood glucose levels to change very quickly around the time of their period. Blood sugar levels can swing from high to low and this can be very frustrating. Some teenage girls may experience irregular periods as a result of diabetes.

There is some evidence to suggest that teenagers with type 1 diabetes go through puberty slightly later; this may mean that they do not reach sexual maturation as early as other children.

Diabetes is a lifelong condition, which occurs when the body is unable to regulate the level of glucose in the blood. Blood sugar levels are usually controlled by a hormone called insulin, which is produced by the pancreas; people with diabetes do not produce enough insulin and this means that their body cannot control glucose levels.

There are two types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is much less common than type 2 diabetes; around 90 percent of people with diabetes in the UK have type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when an individual cannot produce any insulin at all; type 2 diabetes occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin; it can also result from the insulin not working properly. Type 2 diabetes is usually linked to obesity.

What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is believed to be an autoimmune condition, which means that the body’s immune system starts to attack a harmless substance, mistaking it for a threat; in the case of diabetes, the immune system starts to attack the cells in the pancreas and this prevents them from being able to produce insulin. People with type 1 diabetes do not produce any insulin and require daily injections of insulin in order to regulate their blood glucose levels.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body does not produce sufficient amounts of insulin or the insulin is not working properly. Type 2 diabetes is often linked to obesity and the number of cases has risen significantly in recent years in tandem with the rise in obesity.

What causes diabetes?

It is not known what triggers the autoimmune response in people with type 1 diabetes; there is evidence to suggest that type 1 diabetes runs in families. In rare cases, type 1 diabetes is caused by pancreatitis, which occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed.

The exact cause of type 2 diabetes is also not fully understood but the following risk factors have been identified:

?      Being overweight or obese (carrying excess weight around the waist is particularly dangerous)

?      Being of Asian, African-Caribbean or Middle-Eastern heritage

?      Family history

?      Age: risk increases in people over the age of 40

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

Symptoms for both types of diabetes are similar but symptoms tend to develop very quickly for type 1 diabetes and very gradually for type 2 diabetes; common symptoms include:

?      Thirst

?      Frequent urination (especially at night)

?      Blurred vision

?      Extreme tiredness

?      Weight loss

?      Loss of muscle mass

How is diabetes treated?

There is no cure for diabetes but the symptoms can be managed; in people with type 1 diabetes, daily injections of insulin are required to regulate the level of blood glucose; some people prefer to use insulin pumps. People with type 2 diabetes can often control their symptoms by changing their diet and eating healthily, exercising regularly and giving up smoking and drinking; if their condition gets worse, they may need to take tablets to reduce the levels of glucose in the blood.

What happens if diabetes is not treated?

If diabetes is not treated and managed effectively it can lead to very serious illnesses and complications. Teenage diabetes is something that should be identified as early as possible as to leave it would lead to greater harm. If diabetes is not treated it can lead to conditions, including:

?      Nerve damage

?      Heart attacks

?      Strokes

?      Retinopathy (this occurs when the retina is damaged)

?      Kidney disease

?      Impotence (in men)

?      Lack of sexual libido

?      Miscarriage in pregnant women

?      Foot ulcers