In the UK, 10% of the population have type one diabetes, but who really knows what it is? When people say they have diabetes, most automatically assume that they have type two and start asking questions about their diet or making rude comments. But there is a vast difference between the 2 types.

Type one can be developed by all ages. The disease involves your pancreas shutting down so it creates little to no insulin. Insulin is what helps blood sugar enter the cells in your body to use as energy, without this, the blood sugar wouldn’t be able to access your cells and stay in the bloodstream, clogging up your veins.

A main difference between type one and two is that type two can be cured however type one cannot, it is a condition that 8.4 million people have to live with for the rest of their lives.

To manage blood sugar levels, diabetics have to inject insulin every time they eat 10-15 minutes before. This can be done through a pump or an insulin pen. Many diabetics have recently got glucose monitoring devices, such as a DexCom, so they know when to take the insulin.

Ways to spot type one diabetes:

  • Feeling extremely thirsty
  • Constantly needing the toilet
  • Extreme weight loss
  • Feeling very tired
  • Itchiness around the genital area
  • Blurred vision

Many people you know could be going through this right now, so next time you mention about someone’s weight when they mention their diabetes, stop and think.