Black African people in the UK are up to three times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than White European people.
Why is this the case?
Research in this area is ongoing though we are excited that some of the findings might be imminently published from a research project by Diabetes UK.
It is however important that you are aware of the things that put you at risk of getting diabetes and taking action.
Understanding diabetes
Diabetes is a serious condition where your blood glucose level is too high. There are two main types, Type 1 and Type 2. They’re different conditions, but they’re both serious.
Types of Diabetes
Type 1
The body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin.
Type 2
The body does not produce enough insulin, or the body’s cells do not react to insulin.
Symptoms
According to Diabetes UK, common symptoms for diabetes include:
- Going to the toilet a lot, especially at night.
- Being really thirsty.
- Feeling more tired than usual.
- Losing weight without trying to.
- Genital itching or thrush.
- Cuts and wounds take longer to heal.
- Blurred vision
More information and help
We advise speaking to your doctor or using the NHS or Diabetes UK websites for more information.
