Diabetes outline

Summary

Diabetes and pre-diabetes are two different stages of blood glucose (sugar) levels in the body. Here’s the difference between the two.

Pre-diabetes

Pre-diabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be classed as diabetes. It is not an illness.

Around 7 million people in the UK have pre-diabetes. If you are overweight and over 40, you have over 50% chance of getting pre-diabetes.

70% of people with pre-diabetes end up with diabetes.

With lifestyles changes and close monitoring, diabetes can be prevented or diagnosed early which results in better outcomes.

Diabetes

This is a common chronic condition affecting approx 5 million people or 7% of the population. of raised blood sugar. There are two main types of diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes 10%, which is an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system attacks insulin-producing cells.

Type 2 diabetes 90%, is where there is insulin resistance (cells don’t respond properly to insulin) and not enough insulin production.

Pre diabetes

Pre-diabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be classed as diabetes.

People with pre-diabetes have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes if they don’t make lifestyle changes to improve their blood sugar levels.

Pre-diabetes is an early warning sign, and crucially provides an opportunity to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes through lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, and weight management.

Diabetes

Diabetes, also known as diabetes mellitus, is a chronic condition where the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t effectively use the insulin it produces.

Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. When it’s not working properly, blood sugar levels can become too high, leading to various health complications.

There are two main types of diabetes. Firstly Type 1 diabetes which usually affects younger people and needs treatment with insulin injections; and secondly Type 2 which affects older people, with treatment usually starting with lifestyle changes and tablets. If poorly controlled, it may require treatment with insulin injections.

Basically, diabetes requires ongoing management. Particularly, lifestyle changes, medications, insulin injections, and regular monitoring of blood sugar levels.