Health & Wellbeing Dos and don’ts to cut your diabetes risk
Did you know over half of Type 2 diabetes cases can be delayed or prevented by leading a healthier lifestyle?
More people than ever have diabetes in the UK – a whopping 4.7 million to be exact. And worryingly, around 1 million of these people have Type 2 diabetes but have not yet been diagnosed. So it’s time to get clued up on the leading factors that can cause this condition, because by doing so you could prevent serious health complications from developing in the future. We reveal the simple steps you can take to dramatically reduce your diabetes risk.
Understanding diabetes
‘Diabetes is a condition in which someone has too much glucose – a type of sugar – in their blood,’ says Natasha Marsland, senior clinical advisor at Diabetes UK. Usually blood sugar levels are controlled by insulin produced in the pancreas. When someone has diabetes, they’re either not producing insulin, or the insulin produced isn’t working properly. This leads to a build up of sugar in the blood.
Type 1 and Type 2: What’s the difference?
About 8% of people with diabetes have Type 1, an autoimmune disease where your body attacks and destroys insulinproducing cells. ‘Your pancreas shuts down completely and you don’t produce
Keeping your waist size below this measurement will reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes. any insulin, causing the glucose to quickly rise in your blood,’ explains Natasha. Symptoms of feeling thirsty and tired, needing to urinate more often, unexplained weight loss and blurred vision are often more intense and sudden. Unlike Type 2, lifestyle doesn’t cause Type 1 diabetes – the reasons are not yet known.
Type 2
Type 2 is more common, affecting 90% of people with diabetes – with lifestyle being a huge factor. ‘If someone has Type 2, the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas may be reduced or the insulin it produces doesn’t work properly,’ says Natasha. This means symptoms are not always obvious or can develop gradually. Complications can begin five to six years before some people find out they have Type 2 diabetes. However, early diagnosis is vital, because the longer someone has it, the more likely it is that they will need medication. Other types of diabetes include
different types of monogenic diabetes, cystic fibrosis-related diabetes, and diabetes caused by rare syndromes. These affect about 2% of people.
The obesity risk
Cases have doubled in 20 years, and this upsurge is closely linked to the UK’S rise in obesity. ‘Type 2 diabetes is increasing year on year because we’re becoming a heavier nation,’ says Natasha. Although there are other contributing factors – such as age, genes, and stress, obesity is thought to be responsible for 80-85% of someone’s risk of developing the condition. Healthy eating and regular exercise is essential to reduce the likelihood of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Health warning
‘Diabetes is a serious, lifelong condition,’ warns Natasha. If left untreated, high glucose levels can damage blood vessels, nerves and organs and cause kidney disease, heart disease and even blindness. But you can take several steps to reduce your risk, and even put it into remission, if you’re diagnosed with it.