Diabetes

An Article by Worsley Training – First Aid Training in and around Wiltshire

Recognising Diabetes
Diabetes is a serious lifelong condition when the body is unable to regulate the amount of sugar in the blood stream. 1 in 2 people worldwide with diabetes, do not know they have it. 

Your blood sugar level is controlled by a hormone called insulin, which is produced by the pancreas. Insulin is often described as a key, which open the doors to the cells, allowing glucose to enter, where it is broken down and used as fuel for energy.

The two main types are:

• Type 1 – where the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin. It is predominantly diagnosed in children who will need to inject insulin for life

• Type 2 – where the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or the body’s cells don’t react to insulin. In the UK, around 90% of all adults with diabetes have type 2. It tends to be seen in the over 40s but is being linked with obesity in younger people and can be controlled with diet and exercise, however some people are more genetically at risk than others

Recognise diabetes using the 4 Ts:

• Toilet – Going to the toilet a lot

• Thirsty – Being really thirsty and not being able to quench the thirst

• Tired – Feeling more tired than usual

• Thinner – Losing weight or looking thinner than usual

More information at www.diabetes.org.uk

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