What should you know about type one and type 2 diabetes?

Insulin helps move glucose from the blood into cells for energy. In type 1 diabetes, the body produces little or no insulin, so insulin replacement is needed. Type 2 diabetes develops when cells respond less effectively to insulin and the pancreas cannot keep up with demand. Type 2 management may include eating-pattern changes, physical activity, tablets, non-insulin medicines, or insulin. Prediabetes can occur before type 2 diabetes. Over time, poorly controlled glucose can affect nerves, blood vessels, kidneys, eyes, and skin; related problems include [Peripheral Neuropathy](/conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/) and [Chronic Kidney Disease](/conditions/chronic-kidney-disease/).

Use the monitoring and medicine plan agreed with your diabetes team. Learn how meals, activity, illness, and medicines affect your glucose, and keep supplies available for monitoring or treatment when prescribed. Foot checks, blood-pressure reviews, eye assessments, and kidney checks help identify changes early. Ask how to recognise and treat [Hypoglycaemia](/conditions/hypoglycaemia/). Weight, blood-vessel health, and other conditions can influence the plan; [Obesity](/conditions/obesity/) is one factor your clinician may discuss.

Seek urgent help for severe drowsiness, confusion, difficulty breathing, repeated vomiting, or inability to keep fluids down. Very low glucose may cause sweating, shaking, weakness, or altered behaviour and needs immediate treatment according to your plan. New facial drooping, arm weakness, or speech difficulty may indicate a [Stroke](/conditions/stroke/) and requires emergency care. A hot, swollen, painful foot wound or spreading redness can need prompt assessment for [Cellulitis](/conditions/cellulitis/).

Ask which type of diabetes you have, how it was confirmed, what your glucose targets are, how to adjust medicines during illness, and which checks you need routinely.