Nearly 4 out of every 100 people in Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow are living with diabetes, which is far higher than the national average. Although it is estimated that over a million people in the UK are probably undiagnosed with Type 2 diabetes  - and there are also people who have Type 2 diabetes between 7-12 years before they are diagnosed during which time many irreversible complications occur.   So it is vital that if patients have unexplained symptoms such as excessive thirst, constant urinating and tiredness they should have a check for diabetes.

Diabetes occurs when the pancreas (a gland under the stomach) is unable to produce enough insulin or is unable to make use of the levels of insulin found naturally in the body.  The body needs insulin to move diet-derived glucose from the blood into the cells, where it is converted into energy.

There are 2 types of diabetes:

Type 1           This is an auto-immune condition that occurs when beta cells in the pancreas stop producing insulin altogether.  This accounts for approximately 20% of diagnosed diabetes and generally affects young non-obese people.  Immediate treatment is essential as without insulin the person will fall into a diabetic coma and could die.

Type 2           This type of diabetes is far more common and occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin, or because it is resistant to it.  As a result the pancreas tries to increase the production of insulin to keep the blood sugar levels normal.  However, eventually the cells wear out and insulin production decreases.  Symptoms in Type 2 develop far more gradually because the body is able to continue to produce some insulin – hence the situation where people have the disease for many years without realising it.

There are many factors that contribute to the development of Type 2 diabetes but the incidence increase with age.

Type 2 diabetes is 3-5 times more common in people of Asian or Afro-Caribbean origin and the disease generally affects older people.  The disease can be controlled by leading a healthy lifestyle, taking regular exercise, eating a Mediterranean diet and with medication.

But it is essential that people with both Type 1 and Type diabetes regularly monitor their blood sugar levels.

Gestational Diabetes

In addition to Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes – gestational diabetes develops in around 4% of the population.  Insulin resistance affects the mother when the placenta hormones and increased levels of insulin are not produced to maintain normal blood glucose levels.  Incidence increases after the 24th week of pregnancy and usually levels return to normal after the birth.
However, in some cases women are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in later life.