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We can help you effectively manage your diabetes with specialised diabetes treatments. Book an appointment online
Call or book online today to arrange a consultation to discuss private diabetes treatment with a consultant of your choice at Circle Health Group. This page explains what diabetes is, what the symptoms of diabetes are, and how the condition is treated.
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Type 2 diabetes is by far the most common type of diabetes, and accounts for around 90% of cases. With type 2 diabetes, your body doesn't make enough insulin, and/or your body's cells don’t respond normally to the insulin you produce (insulin resistance). It is most common in people over 45 but is becoming more common in younger people. Type 2 diabetes is linked to lifestyle factors such as being overweight or leading a sedentary lifestyle. It often runs in families.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in your pancreas. It most commonly affects children and young adults but can develop at any age.
Pre-diabetes is the stage before type 2 diabetes fully develops. Blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can often be delayed or prevented with lifestyle changes during this stage.
Gestational diabetes is diabetes that develops during pregnancy. It normally goes away once the baby is born but increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
This form of diabetes is caused by damage to your pancreas due to conditions such as pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis, and hemochromatosis. People who have had their pancreas removed (pancreatectomy) also develop this type of diabetes.
Like type 1 diabetes, LADA is an autoimmune disease where the pancreas stops producing insulin. It develops much more slowly than type 1 diabetes and is most common in adults over the age of 30.
MODY is a rare form of diabetes that is caused by an inherited genetic mutation that affects how your body makes and uses insulin. It runs strongly in families and affects around 1 to 2% of people with diabetes. Currently, over ten different types of MODY have been identified.
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes usually develop quickly and tend to be more severe than symptoms of type 2. Untreated type 1 diabetes can lead to a life-threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis.
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes usually develop gradually and may be overlooked or picked up during a routine health check.
Women with gestational diabetes don’t usually have any symptoms and the condition is normally picked up on a routine test between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy.
Symptoms of diabetes may include:
Your consultant will ask you about your symptoms and medical history. If diabetes is suspected, they will order a blood test to confirm or rule out this diagnosis.
Diabetes and pre-diabetes are diagnosed with a blood test to check the levels of glucose in your blood.
At Circle Health Group, your first appointment is very important as it's where your consultant will ask you about your symptoms, order any necessary tests, provide a diagnosis, and explain your options for treatment.
Your first consultation is also where we get to know you and encourage you to ask any questions you may have. It is important to us that you are well-informed about your diagnosis and treatment, so please feel free to discuss any questions or concerns with your consultant during your appointment.
At the end of your appointment, your consultant will decide on the best treatment for you and devise a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
How diabetes is treated depends on the type of diabetes you have. Type 1 diabetes is always treated with insulin injections. Type 2 diabetes may be treated with lifestyle changes, oral medication (tablets), or in some cases, insulin.
Your consultant will also advise you about a suitable diet and show you how to monitor your blood sugar levels at home.
Insulin is used to treat all type 1 diabetics and some people with type 2 diabetes. It replaces the insulin not produced by the pancreas to control blood sugar levels. Insulin can be given by injection several times a day, or via an insulin pump that is attached to the body. There are several different types of synthetic insulin, some work very quickly and last a short amount of time and others are released slowly over longer periods. Most people use a combination of fast-acting and slow-acting insulin.
There are several types of medication for type 2 diabetes. The most common treatment for type 2 diabetes is metformin. Metformin works by improving the way your body uses insulin. It is usually prescribed when lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise haven't been enough to improve your blood sugar levels.
If metformin isn't suitable for you or doesn't work well enough, you may be offered a different medication either instead of, or in combination with metformin. These may be in the form of tablets or injections.
Tablets used to treat type 2 diabetes include:
Injections used to treat type 2 diabetes may include:
It's important to live a healthy lifestyle if you have diabetes. Your consultant will talk to you about some lifestyle changes that will improve your overall health and make managing your condition easier. Some lifestyle changes for people with diabetes include:
Surgery isn't normally an option in the treatment of diabetes, but in some cases, it may be recommended to prevent life-threatening low blood sugar, when there is severe kidney damage, or to aid weight loss in very overweight patients.
Surgical procedures to treat diabetes may include:
Islet cell transplantation involves extracting insulin-producing (islet) cells from the pancreas of a deceased donor and implanting them into the liver of someone with type 1 diabetes. In the UK, islet cell transplants may be offered on the NHS for type 1 diabetics who have severe low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) without any warning signs.
A pancreas transplant is when a donor pancreas, and in some cases a kidney, are transplanted from a deceased donor into someone with type 1 diabetes. Pancreas transplants are rare and are only performed as a last resort in someone with type 1 diabetes who has debilitating episodes of low blood sugar, or severe kidney disease.
Bariatric surgery, also known as weight loss surgery, may be recommended for people with type 2 diabetes who are very overweight (have a BMI between 35 and 40) and have tried other weight loss methods without success. There are several different types of bariatric surgery available. The procedure involves bypassing or reducing the size of your stomach so that you feel fuller faster, eat fewer calories, and lose weight.
Monitoring your blood sugar is very important when you have diabetes. You can either use a machine that measures your blood sugar using a drop of blood from your finger, or via a sensor called a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). A CGM is a small circular sensor that is attached to your upper arm. A sensor just below the skin monitors your blood sugar continuously and transmits readings to your mobile phone or other device.
If you have diabetes you will be offered regular health checks. Diabetes can cause serious long-term complications, so it's important to attend all your check-ups.
Check-ups are normally yearly, but your consultant will create a plan of care tailored to your individual needs.
Regular check-ups for people with diabetes include:
Like all medication, diabetes medication carries a small risk of side effects, however, the risk of poorly managed diabetes far outweighs any potential risks of treatment.
It can sometimes take a while to find the right treatment or combination of treatments for diabetes. Your consultant will work with you to find the treatment regimen that is best for you.
Potential side effects of insulin include:
Potential side effects of oral diabetes medications include:
If you would like to see a consultant or learn more about diabetes treatment, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly on 0808 189 5499
Diabetes Treatments Diabetes UK
Diabetes Treatments Endocrine Society
Understanding medicine. Type 2 diabetes NHS
Insulin, Medicine & Other Diabetes Treatments National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
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