Demystifying diabetes: striking out the stigma

Approximately 5.8 million people in the UK are living with diabetes. This year’s Diabetes Week, which takes place from 8th to 14th June, is centred around the theme ‘Strike Out Stigma’, focusing on changing the way we talk about diabetes and those affected by it.

With eight in ten people living with diabetes reporting experiencing negative attitudes – including judgement, misconceptions and unfair blame – our helpful guide will help you demystify diabetes, including what it is, the differences between its main types, and how the body processes sugar under normal conditions.

What is diabetes?

People with diabetes have too much glucose – a type of sugar our body uses for fuel – in their blood, due to a problem with the hormone insulin.

For people with type one diabetes (T1D), the pancreas is unable to produce insulin because the insulin-producing cells have been attacked and destroyed by the immune system.

With type two diabetes (T2D), the body either does not produce enough insulin, or the insulin it does produce doesn’t work effectively (insulin resistance).

Both are serious conditions and can lead to long-term health complications if not managed properly.

In a healthy body, the pancreas releases insulin to keep blood glucose balanced – allowing natural rises after eating and drops between meals. It is this ability to restore balance and avoid prolonged highs or lows that supports overall health – as evidence shows that it’s the repeated or sustained spikes and crashes (glycaemic variability) that are linked to increased risks of cardiovascular disease, complications, and mortality.

What symptoms should I look out for?

Symptoms of diabetes vary depending on the type.

T1D often develops quickly, with symptoms appearing suddenly. These are commonly summarised as ‘the four Ts’ – toilet (frequent urination), increased thirst, extreme tiredness, and unexplained weight loss (thinner).

In contrast, T2D tends to develop more gradually, meaning symptoms can be subtle or go unnoticed for some time.

What are the risk factors of diabetes?

Risk factors differ between types. The exact cause of T1D is unknown, although genetics and family history may play a small role. T2D is more closely linked to factors such as age, family history, ethnicity, and living with overweight or obesity.

Around 2% of people have rarer forms of diabetes, including monogenic diabetes, cystic fibrosis-related diabetes, and diabetes caused by rare syndromes. Some medications (such as steroids or antipsychotics), surgery, or hormonal imbalances, can also trigger diabetes. These forms are often misdiagnosed, which can delay appropriate treatment.

How is diabetes treated?

Managing diabetes depends on the type.

T1D requires insulin, as the body can no longer produce it. This typically involves counting carbohydrates and carefully balancing food intake with insulin doses, either through injections or an insulin pump.

For T2D, medication may not always be needed initially. Many people can manage their condition through lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy diet, staying physically active, and routine health checks. However, medication or insulin may be needed as the condition progresses.

If not well managed, diabetes can lead to potential complications, including both long term issues – such as heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, nerve damage, eye disease, and foot problems – and acute emergencies – including low or high blood sugar (hypos and hypers).

Final thoughts

Diabetes stigma is often experienced from those closest to people living with the condition. Reducing the stigma is essential to empower people, improve health outcomes, lower hospital admissions, and encourage greater investment in research, treatments, and care – ultimately, enabling people to live healthier, happier lives.