There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 2 Diabetes is the most common: 9 out of 10 people who have diabetes will have Type 2 Diabetes. It usually starts after the age of 40, but it can affect younger people as well. It is a condition that comes from both your genes and lifestyle.

Type 2 Diabetes tends to develop gradually (over weeks or months). This is because in Type 2 Diabetes you still make insulin (unlike in Type 1 Diabetes). If you have Type 2 Diabetes this leads to high levels of glucose (sugar) in your blood.

Type 2 Diabetes can be caused by:

• The pancreas not making enough insulin to control blood sugar levels
• The cells in the body being less able to respond to insulin (called insulin resistance)
• a combination of both

This results in high levels of glucose in your blood which can lead to long-term medical problems like heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness and poor circulation in your limbs. If you have Type 2 Diabetes it is important to keep your blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible and to have a healthy lifestyle, to reduce this risk.