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More than 1.4 million people in the UK have diabetes, and the numbers are increasing fast. There is also an estimated one million people who have diabetes but don't know it.

Diabetes occurs when the body can't use glucose (sugar) properly.

As a result the amount of glucose in the blood rises to abnormally high levels. If left untreated or if badly controlled, diabetes can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness and lower limb amputation.

But you can take control of diabetes.

if you manage your diabetes well, you can greatly cut your risk of developing these complications

There are two types of diabetes.

In Type 1 diabetes the body doesn't produce insulin, the hormone that controls the amount of glucose in the blood. It usually begins before the age of 40 and is treated with insulin. In Type 2 diabetes the body doesn't produce enough insulin, or what it does produce doesn't work properly. It usually affects people over 40 and can be treated with healthy eating and physical activity alone, although it often requires tablets and sometimes insulin. Both types are equally serious.

If you have diabetes it is crucial that you find out as much as you can about the condition and how to manage it. There is a lot that you can do to minimise the serious and life threatening complications that can develop.

You can manage your diabetes by keeping yourself informed, eating a healthy diet, being physically active and, if you take tablets or insulin, taking your medicines as prescribed. If you do this, you can lead a normal, active life.

Extract from Diabetes UK.

For more information refer to www.diabetes.org.uk