Diabetes is a disease that results in higher than normal glucose levels in the blood - glucose is a type of sugar.

This damages blood vessels which bring blood to organs and tissue such as the liver, kidneys, eyes and nerves.

diabetes type 1

With Diabetes Type 1, the body needs insulin and it must be taken daily. This type develops early in life and it is believed to be determined genetically - that is, by who your ancestors are.

diabetes type 2

Diabetes type 2 tends to develop later in life usually.

Type 2 diabetes can be avoidable - it happens when the body can't produce or use insulin correctly.

It is linked to being overweight and who may have a family history of diabetes. It is a caused by lifestyle and linked to obesity. It is increasingly occurring in young people.

diabetes worldwide

As type 2 diabetes is linked to obesity, it is increasing substantially in the western world and in newly rich countries in the Middle East such as Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates

The incidence is thought to be up to 25% in certain age groups in some of these countries.

avoid and prevent diabetes

Prevention is a lot safer and cheaper that curing the disease - simply keeping a healthy weight with a BMI of 25 or less should be a target, eating healthy foods and exercising to maintain this.

diabetes symptoms

This is a list of common items - visit your healthcare advisor to get checked.

• unusual weight loss
• frequent need to urinate
• blurred vision
• pins and needles in hands and feet
• regularly tiredness for no apparent reason
• increased hunger and / or thirst