Diabetes

Diabetes is a common lifelong condition that causes an individual's blood sugar level to become too high over a long period of time. According to recent statistics there are currently 3.9 million men and women diagnosed with diabetes in the UK (1 in 16 people). In the case of Type 2 diabetes, people can go years without it being diagnosed and as blood sugar levels increase more symptoms will occur, as well as potentially harmful health complications. These can be avoided with effective prescription medication, but it's important to get diagnosed as early as possible. Often people can have a high blood sugar level, but not high enough to be classed as diabetic. This is referred to as pre diabetes, where the risk of developing Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes is increased.

There are two types of diabetes in total; Type 1 and Type 2. We at euroClinix provide effective treatment for Type 2 diabetes only. To learn more about the differences between these two forms of diabetes please refer to the section below.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease and is characterised by the body's inability to produce insulin. To counteract this, people who have been diagnosed with this type must inject themselves with insulin shots at regular intervals. Because there is no cure or way of reversing this condition, this will need to be done throughout one's entire lifetime.

Unlike the first form of the condition, Type 2 occurs when the cells of the body are unable to respond properly to the way insulin is produced or if the body is producing insulin but not enough of it. Usually this can be treated with a controlled healthy diet and careful monitoring of blood sugar levels. However, if the condition is progressive, diabetes treatment and medication may be required to help manage it. Many people suffer from this as a result of obesity and poor diet, with this form of the disease being far more common than Type 1.

Both Type 1 and Type 2 present similar diabetes symptoms. These include signs such as an increase in thirst, fatigue, weight loss, genital itching and an increased need to urinate. Type 1 may also cause cramps, constipation, skin infections and vision changes.

What sets them apart is generally the speed at which the diabetes symptoms present themselves. Type 1 symptoms are likely to develop faster and are usually more intense, where Type 2 symptoms are normally slower and milder. This is why the condition can go unnoticed for several years.

Generally it's considered that genetics plays the largest role in the development of Type 2 diabetes. If a child's parents suffer from Type 2, there is a 1 in 3 chance it will affect them as well. In rare cases, it may also be caused by certain medications although this is not widespread. The following circumstances increase the risk for developing Type 2 diabetes:

• Being overweight or having a high BMI
• Being over 40
• Family history of diabetes
• High blood pressure, stroke, or heart problems
• You are of African-Caribbean, Black African, Chinese or South Asian descent
• You have a history of PCOS, gestational diabetes or have given birth to a baby over 10 pounds/4.5kg
• You have taken medication for schizophrenia, bipolar illness or depression

Diabetes risk factors, such as diet, weight gain, medication, a sedentary lifestyle and age, all increase a person's chances of developing the chronic condition. Diabetes causes are therefore varied, but if you believe you suffer from the condition, the best course of action is to simply consult your doctor if you experience any diabetes symptoms. The condition can be diagnosed through a simple blood test.

If you have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and are wondering how to treat it effectively, a change in diet and increased exercise will probably be advised first before any diabetes treatment. For most individuals this is enough to help manage and control the condition. However, if this is not effective or the condition is severe, a diabetes treatment such as Metformin, which comes in tablet form, may be prescribed. The medication belongs to a group of treatments known as biguanides, but others may include glitazones, DPP-4 inhibitors, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, sulphonylureas and prandial glucose regulators.

It is possible to successfully prevent Type 2 diabetes by following the below methods of prevention:

• Stop smoking
• Lower alcohol intake
• Exercise regularly – at least 150 minutes per week
• Follow a healthy and balanced diet plan including food high in fibre
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Monitor blood sugar levels at least once a year

According to the International Diabetes Federation, experts warn that by 2040 over 640 million of us will be living with the condition. The infographic below shows the leading facts about diabetes:

At euroClinix we offer Metformin as an effective and clinically proven diabetes treatment for patients diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes after they complete a simply online consultation. This is to ensure your suitability for the diabetes treatment and your safety when using the medication. Once approved by our doctors, they will issue a prescription and our UK pharmacy will dispense and deliver it straight to your door via our free next day delivery service.