A local guide to diabetes

More than 4 million people in the UK have been diagnosed with diabetes Credit: PA

A mother from Penrith is looking to raise awareness of Type One diabetes after her two-year-old son was diagnosed in January.

Denise Gosney's son Lewis is now fully dependent on an insulin pump, and requires constant supervision and care.

Lewis was drinking an unusually large volume of liquid every day, and tests confirmed he had the condition.

What is diabetes and how do you get it?

Diabetes is a life-long condition that occurs when the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high because the body can’t use it properly.

There are two main types of diabetes:

  • According to Diabetes UK, about 10 per cent of people with diabetes have Type 1. Though nobody knows what causes it and scientists say it’s got nothing to do with diet or lifestyle

  • According to Diabetes UK, 90 per cent of people with diabetes have Type 2. It is caused by genetic and environmental factors. Up to 58 per cent of cases can be delayed or prevented through a healthy lifestyle.

There are other types of diabetes that are as important but just less common, including gestational diabetes, maturity onset diabetes of the young, neonatal diabetes and others.

Insulin is a hormone that helps your body use the glucose in your blood to give you energy.

A drop of insulin at the tip of a needle Credit: PA

How many people have it?

According to Diabetes UK, more than 4 million people are living with diabetes in the UK and an estimated 1 million that don't know they have it.

People under the age of 40, especially children, are more at risk of developing Type 1 diabetes. It is the most common type found in childhood.

Children are at risk of getting diabetes if they have a poor diet Credit: PA

How do you treat it?

There is no cure for Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. A healthy and balanced diet is very important. Diabetes UK warn that theres is no such thing about a 'diabetes diet' or 'diabetes food'.

Type 1 diabetes can be treated by taking insulin, by using either an injection or pump.

There is research going into medication for treating diabetes and into a possible cure, supported or funded by various organisations including Diabetes UK, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and more.

High levels of sugar in the blood is linked to Type 2 diabetes, but not the sole cause Credit: PA

There are a number of organisations that help people living with diabetes. Some local contacts include:

Diabetes UK North West:

Diabetes Scotland:

You can also get information from your local council.