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Diabetes is a condition where it is difficult for the body to control the level of glucose in the blood stream. This may be because not enough insulin is produced by the body or the insulin that is made does not work properly.
Insulin is a hormone that is made in the pancreas. Its job is to move glucose from the blood stream into the muscle and fat cells of the body where the glucose can be used for energy.

There are two main types of diabetes:
Type 1 diabetes (previously known as Insulin Dependent Diabetes) occurs when the pancreas stops producing insulin. Daily injections of insulin are required. The cause of type 1 diabetes is not fully understood. However, a combination of genetics and environmental triggers are involved.

In Type 2 diabetes (previously known as Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes) the body still produces insulin but it does not work effectively – the body is resistant to insulin (insulin resistance). Type 2 diabetes can be managed by adopting healthy lifestyle choices, such as healthy eating and regular exercise. Often this is in combination with medical management including tablets and/or insulin.