Understanding Diabetes

2. Understanding Diabetes • What is diabetes? • Risk factors • People without diabetes • People with Type 1 diabetes • People with Type 2 diabetes • Signs and symptoms

3. What is diabetes? • Diabetes is a condition in which the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high because the body cannot use it properly.

4. Risk Factors • Diabetes and age • Diabetes runs in families • Weight is a factor in diabetes • Circulation problems and high blood pressure • Diabetes and pregnancy • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome • Impaired blood glucose levels

5. People without diabetes Pancreas Carbohydrate Glucose Insulin Glucose and Insulin Muscle cells Bloodstream

6. People with Type 1 diabetes Pancreas Carbohydrate Glucose No Insulin Glucose can’t enter cells Muscle cells Bloodstream

7. People with Type 2 diabetes Pancreas Carbohydrate Glucose Not enough Insulin Glucose can’t enter cells Muscle cells Bloodstream

8. People with Type 2 diabetes Pancreas Carbohydrate Glucose Insulin Body Fat Glucose can’t enter cells Muscle cells Bloodstream

9. Signs and symptoms • Going to the toilet often • Extreme thirst • Extreme tiredness • Weight loss • Genital itching and thrush • Blurred vision