There are over 3.2 million people with diabetes in the UK and there are up to another 630,000 who don’ know it. (Diabetes UK)
How does Diabetes affect the body?
Diabetes is a condition in which the body is unable to regulate the amount of sugar in the body. Diabetes can affect people of all ages; Type 1 being more common in young people and Type 2 affecting over 40’s and those who are over weight. Diabetes can affect the entire body.
One of the more common side effects is swollen feet and legs as the result of poor circulation.
People with diabetes are unable to stop the level of glucose in their blood from getting too high. This is because of a hormone called insulin is either absent from their body or not working properly.
Glucose is found in starchy foods, such as pasta, rice, bread and potatoes, as well as in fruit and sweet foods. When we eat foods that contain glucose, insulin helps to move it from our blood into our cells, where it’s broken down to produce energy. In people with diabetes, when the body doesn’t make enough insulin, or the insulin doesn’t work properly, that process is interrupted and glucose builds up in the blood. That is what causes the damaging symptoms of the condition.
There are two main types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes – this is when the body cannot produce any insulin. This type of diabetes usually occurs before the age of 40 and accounts for around 10% of all cases. It’s the most common form of childhood diabetes.
- Type 2 diabetes – this is when the body either doesn’t make enough insulin, or the body becomes resistant to insulin, so it doesn’t work properly. It’s the most common form of diabetes, accounting for around 90% of cases. It’s frequently linked with being overweight.
Symptoms of Diabetes
Some symptoms of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes include:
- increased thirst
- drinking a lot of fluids
- passing a lot of urine
- being tired for no reason
- weight loss
- genital itching or repeated bouts of thrush
- slow healing of wounds
- blurred vision
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes typically develop ove a few weeks and quickly become very obvious. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes can develop more slowly, over a period of months. Some people with type 2 diabetes have very mild symptoms, which they believe have other causes. It is possible to have no symptoms at all and be diagnosed with a routine blood test. Most people with type 2 diabetes will eventually need treatment with tablets, and some will need insulin injections.
People with diabetes may also take medication to reduce the risk of health complications e.g. many take pills to reduce blood pressure and some take statins to reduce their cholestrol.
How can Adaptawear help?
In more severe cases of diabetes, mobility can become difficult as a result of problems with the legs and feet. Vision can also be affected.
Adaptawear has a range of adapted clothing and trousers with various adaptations to suit the changing needs of a diabetic person.
For example, our Drop front Trousers for Men and Women open completely from the waist to the thighs so that they can be drawn up the legs with ease.
Wearing comfortable footwear is very important. We have a wide range of specially designed Diabetic Socks aimed at promoting healthy feet. Choose from a regular fit or extra wide for all day comfort.
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