World Diabetes Day

 

Diabetes comes under two different categories:

  • Type 1 diabetes, this is when the body’s immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells
  • Type 2 diabetes, where the body isn’t able to produce the needed amount of insulin, or the cells don’t react to insulin

 

It is far more common to have type 2 diabetes compared to type 1. Approximately 90% of the adults in Wales with diabetes have type 2.

Type 1 diabetes can develop very quickly over just a matter of days, whereas type 2 diabetes can be had for years before realising. 

Another type of diabetes occurs in pregnancy. Some women will have a very high blood glucose level, meaning that they are unable to produce enough insulin to absorb it all up. This is called gestational diabetes.

 

Signs and symptoms:

  • Blurred vision
  • Cuts / wounds which are healing slowly
  • Feeling extremely thirsty
  • Tiredness
  • Weight loss / loss of muscle
  • Frequent episodes of thrush
  • Urinating more often, mainly at night

 

If some or any of these occur, go and see your GP for further investigation.

 

Causes

A hormone called insulin controls the amount of sugar found in the blood. Insulin is produced by a gland in the stomach, the pancreas.

As the body digests food, it then enters your bloodstream. The insulin moves glucose from the blood and into the cells. This is where it’s broken down to produce energy.

If a person has diabetes, their body is unable to break down the glucose into energy. This can be because there is not enough insulin to move the glucose, or the insulin isn’t able to function normally.

Whilst lifestyle isn’t linked to your risk of type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes is generally linked to being overweight.

 

Living with diabetes

Things like eating healthily and exercising regularly will help your blood glucose levels stay balanced.

Type 1 diabetes requires consistent insulin injections for the rest of their life, whereas you can go into remission with type 2 diabetes.

 

To learn about life-saving skills attending a First Aid course is what you need to do. We hold frequent First Aid At Work courses in central Cardiff. There are two levels of courses available depending on the level of risk in your workplace. Click these links to find out the dates of upcoming courses and to book places online:

Alternatively, many employers prefer First Aid training to be carried out at their own workplace so we can provide a quote for us to come to you. 

Here's how to get in touch and find out more information:

 

St David’s First Aid Training – keeping you safe and legal.