Condition Diabetes

Condition Diabetes

What is diabetes?

Diabetes means you have too much sugar in your blood. This happens because your body cannot make enough insulin or cannot use insulin properly.

Insulin is a chemical made by your pancreas. It helps move sugar from your blood into your body's cells so you can use it for energy.

When you don’t have enough insulin, or it doesn’t work properly, the sugar in your blood won’t be passed onto your cells. This causes your blood sugar level to become too high.

You may:

  • be very thirsty
  • pee more than usual (especially at night)
  • feel very tired
  • have itchy genitals or thrush
  • have blurred sight
  • find cuts take longer to heal

Weight loss is common in people with type 1 diabetes when it first develops and before it's treated. Weight loss is less common in people with type 2 diabetes.

Untreated diabetes can cause serious and long-term health problems, such as damage to your nerves or eyes. It's very important to get a diagnosis as soon as possible.

What causes diabetes?

Type 1

Your body cannot make insulin. It usually starts quickly over days or weeks. It is most common in children and young people.

Type 1 happens because your body's defence system (immune system) attacks cells in your pancreas that make insulin. It cannot be prevented.

Type 2

Your body does not make enough insulin, or it cannot use insulin well. It usually happens in adults but can happen earlier.

Things that raise your risk include:

  • being overweight
  • eating unhealthily
  • family history
  • some medicines (for example steroids)
  • having had diabetes in pregnancy
  • being from South Asian or Black African/Caribbean backgrounds

Gestational diabetes

This can happen during pregnancy if your body cannot make enough insulin for you and your baby. It usually starts after 13 weeks and often goes away after the baby is born.

Next steps

If you feel very thirsty, pee more, or feel very tired, see your GP as soon as possible. They will test your blood to check the sugar level.

Step 1. Check out our external support

Browse our recommended external support resources to learn more about your condition and ways to manage it.
Step 2. Contact a Healthcare Professional

If you need further support or have concerns, a Healthcare Professional is here to help. Reach out for professional medical advice tailored to you.
Step 3. View our services

Discover services and support options available to help you with your health and wellbeing.

Diabetes Specialist Service

  • Adults

Support and advice for adults with type 1 diabetes, complex type 2 diabetes, or diabetes in pregnancy or planning pregnancy.

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Podiatry Service

  • Adults

Care for foot health issues that may affect mobility, such as wounds, infections, ingrown toenails, and structural abnormalities.

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Nutrition and Dietetics Service

  • Children & young people
  • Adults

Tailored diet advice to suit health conditions, manage weight, and avoid complications while receiving artificial nutrition.

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Specialist Dietetic Service for children and young people

  • Children & young people

Assessments, monitoring, and tailored dietary plans for under-18s who receive enteral nutrition at home or in community settings.

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External support

Further information on the NHS UK website

Diabetes UK

Information on preventing and managing diabetes

Glucose monitors and insulin pumps 

You should contact the manufacturer directly if you need support with your continuous glucose monitor (CGM) or insulin pump.

Know Your Risk of Type 2 (Diabetes UK)

A tool to estimate your risk of type 2 diabetes

Preventing Diabetes

Preventing Diabetes is part of the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, helping people understand their risk of type 2 diabetes and take steps to prevent it.

The service offers tailored support through group sessions, app-based coaching, and remote options, making it easier to adopt healthier lifestyle changes and reduce future health risks.