Diabetes is a condition in which there are higher than normal levels of glucose in the blood. According to Diabetes UK (www.diabetes.org.uk) more than 2 million people in the UK have been diagnosed with the condition.  There are two types of diabetes:Type 1 (insulin-dependent)- the body is unable to produce insulin.  Usually starts in childhood and is treated with daily insulin injections and careful diet control.Type 2 (non-insulin dependent)  -  the most common form of the disease - according to Diabetes UK, 75% of UK diabetics have this type.  The body may produce insulin but not enough for its needs or the insulin which it does produce is not used properly.    This type of diabetes was  known as adult-onset diabetes because historically it appeared in people over 40 (although some ethnic groups were known to be at risk from 25 upwards).  Adult-onset diabetes is now something of a misnomer - in recent years there has been a marked correlation between the increase in the numbers of obese children and the numbers of children diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. 

Other factors which increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes include:

  • being overweight (a waist measurement of more than 31.5 inches puts you at an increased risk);
  • high blood pressure; and 
  • leading an inactive lifestyle   

Reclining Person 

       

[Excess fat and inactivity both make it harder for cells to respond to insulin].

Nothing can stop the ageing process but you can significantly reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by:

Eating a healthy diet.  Simple measures you can take include:

  • eating foods which are low in fat and salt;
  • eating lots of fruit, vegetables & pulses;
  • cutting down on sugar and have reduced suger foods and drinks;
  • including high-fibre carbohydrates (eg wholegrain breads and breakfast cereals) in your diet; and
  • eating regular, well balanced meals 

Becoming more active- moderately strenuous exercise for 30 minutes, 5 times a week - eg walking, gardening, dancing, swimming (at an intensity sufficient to increase your heart rate and make you a little out of breath) can have signficant health benefits.  According to Diabetes UK, a physically active woman reduces her risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 64%!!

Active People

If you are a diabetic don’t despair.  In the past, people with diabetes weren’t encouraged to exercise but today, with a better understanding of the disease and improved medication available, there is absolutely no reason why (subject to first checking with your GP/or your diabetes care team) you can’t exercise. The Diabetics UK website has a whole section on “Strenuous Sports” giving loads of useful tips including advice on monitoring blood glucose levels before, during and after training.  In particular:

  • Be aware your body may need longer to recover from a strenuous exercise session; and
  • Ensure staff at your gym, your personal trainer and your exercise buddies are aware of your condition.   

 [Very briefly - what is diabetes and what are the symptoms?]

Diabetes occurs when the body can’t use glucose properly either due to a lack of the hormone insulin (which regulates glucose levels in the blood)  or because the insulin available doesn’t work effectively.  Insulin (released by the pancreas) enables cells to take up the glucose needed to provide them with the energy to function and allows excess glucose to be stored in the liver.   In diabetics, glucose can’t enter the body’s cells and becomes “stuck” in the blood.  High blood glucose levels can cause a range of symptoms including:

  •  excessive tiredness;
  •  extreme thirst; and
  •  the need to pass urine more often than usual.