Early diagnosis and treatment can help people living with diabetes manage their condition to avoid or delay potentially life-threatening complications.

According to recent figures from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), an estimated 537 million people were living with diabetes in 2021. This number continues to rise, with predictions indicating it will reach 643 million people by 2030. More worryingly, nearly half of those currently living with diabetes (45%) are unaware of their condition, putting them at increased risk of developing debilitating and potentially life-threatening complications.

What’s at risk with diabetes

Common diabetes complications include loss of vision, heart disease and stroke, kidney failure, nerve damage and complications in pregnancy. These can reduce quality of life, increase the need for medical care and cause premature death. In 2021 alone, approximately 6.7 million adults between the age of 20 to 79 are estimated to have died as a result of diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for around 90% of all diabetes, often develops silently, with symptoms that can go unnoticed.

It is therefore crucial that people at risk of developing the condition, and healthcare professionals, are equipped with the knowledge to spot the signs of diabetes to treat and manage the condition.

Knowing diabetes signs to inform response

Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for around 90% of all diabetes, often develops silently, with symptoms that can go unnoticed. This lack of awareness prevents or delays action to diagnose and manage diabetes, leading to potential complications.

Common early signs of diabetes include excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, slow-healing wounds, blurred vision and feeling tired. Making more people aware of these signs and the risk factors for type 2 diabetes can support earlier diagnosis and treatment.

How to avoid complications and manage diabetes

Treatment and daily management of the condition, primarily through a healthy diet and physical activity, alongside medication and education, can significantly reduce the risk of complications and improve quality of life. Addressing the risk factors for type 2 diabetes and adopting a healthy lifestyle early can also prevent the onset of the condition. Risk factors include age, being overweight, ethnicity and a family history of diabetes.

People living with diabetes, those at risk and the health professionals who look after them must be provided with the knowledge and tools to prevent the onset of the condition and, consequently, avoid or delay diabetes complications. Through comprehensive care and education, as well as ongoing and affordable access to medicines and supplies, we can improve lives. 

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Obesity is a chronic disease and a major risk factor for prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM).

Over 463 million people worldwide have T2DM and may experience complications including cardiovascular diseases, erectile dysfunction, amputations, kidney failure and blindness. Prediabetes is not a benign state and raises cardiovascular risks. Early intervention in diabetes management is crucial to prevent its potentially devastating complications.

Why obesity and T2DM lead to insulin resistance

Insulin resistance, linked to obesity and T2DM, occurs when visceral abdominal fat accumulates around the liver and pancreas, causing insulin to become less effective. The good news is that weight loss can reduce visceral fat, reverse insulin resistance and improve blood sugar levels, potentially leading to T2DM remission.

Early weight loss interventions for individuals with prediabetes and T2DM can reverse the disease and prevent long-term complications.

Losing weight for T2DM remission

The DIRECT study showed that 15 kg weight loss within the first year, achieved through a total diet replacement program followed by structured weight maintenance, resulted in T2DM remission in over 80% of patients. Alternative approaches include intermittent fasting, time-restricted eating and physical activity.

Digital solutions to support patients’ weight loss journey are now available. When diet, exercise and behavioural interventions alone are insufficient, pharmacotherapy options like GLP-1 agonist injections or bariatric surgery may be recommended for individuals with a BMI over 35 and early-onset T2DM.

Managing your health to prevent obesity and T2DM

Obesity itself is a chronic disease and is influenced by biological, genetic and environmental factors. Like hypertension and other chronic diseases, it requires ongoing, lifelong management. Obesity is also a significant risk factor for T2DM development.

Early weight loss interventions for individuals with prediabetes and T2DM can reverse the disease and prevent long-term complications. People at risk should consult their general practitioner for guidance and direction to appropriate assistance and support.

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Television presenter and garden designer Lee Burkhill was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 16. He shares his experiences with his condition — and his passions.

How long have you been interested in gardening?

I’ve been interested in gardening since I was a child. My grandad was an old-school allotment grower. He also loved a good rose garden, so I learnt a lot about the growing season of vegetables and flowers.

My approach to gardening and design is to help educate new gardeners by sharing knowledge in easy-to-digest snippets. My YouTube channel and blog have become popular as I explain complex gardening practices in easy-to-understand guides. This is now the cornerstone of my business. Helping to educate through my garden design practice and TV presenting. 

What was your type 1 diabetes diagnosis like?

I was diagnosed at 16, which threw my social life and school studies into chaos. Back then, it was a case of mixing your own long and short-acting insulin and eating set amounts each day. Luckily, it’s much easier now with tech like the FreeStyle libre and carb counting. I wish I had access to that support back then. 

How is it a challenge in your work?

Having type 1 diabetes can be tricky. My working days can be long and involve physical labour and weather from scorching days to driving rain. That can leave me feeling frazzled or freezing. I have a series of ratios of insulin to carbohydrates that I find work for different activities. The FreeStyle Libre also helps me keep a check on my blood glucose throughout the day. Before that, it was a case of washing mud off my hands, finger pricking, then having to snack or inject. It was a real pain. 

How have you been encouraged by the diabetes community?

Access to advice and guidance has never been easy for people living with diabetes in the UK. What I love about the community is that people share very private details about glucose levels, insulin ratios and experiences to help others succeed with their diabetes. It’s a very open forum of people who just want to educate others — a bit like Garden Ninja with helping new gardeners.

What gardening advice would you give people with diabetes?

Gardening is a great form of low-impact physical activity, which is always beneficial to help manage diabetes. It’s also fantastic for your mental health — being in nature and without deadlines. Gardening can help reduce stress and help you manage your diabetes. Gardening is a win–win!

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With 75% of people able to identify a continuous glucose monitor, is wearable technology making type 1 diabetes a less hidden condition?

Until recently, type 1 diabetes has been an invisible condition. People with type 1 have to monitor their blood glucose levels throughout the day to stay well — and to stay alive. Type 1 needs consistent, round-the-clock monitoring which is a significant burden for someone living with or caring for someone with the condition — an aspect that is not commonly known by the general public.

Wearable technology for type 1 diabetes

In recent years, there have been huge advances in the technology available to manage type 1 diabetes. Continuous glucose monitors (CGM) and flash glucose monitors measure glucose levels in real time, and insulin pumps deliver insulin into the body 24/7.

Hybrid closed-loop systems, which use an algorithm to take blood glucose readings and dispense insulin automatically, are also set to become more mainstream in the near future.

Type 1 needs consistent, round-the-clock monitoring which is a significant burden for someone living with or caring for someone with the condition.

Coming out into the open with type 1

Before the advent of type 1 technology, seeing someone inject insulin or do a blood test with a finger-pricker were the only indications that someone had type 1 — unless they verbally disclosed it. CGM, flash and insulin pumps are worn on the body and, unlike insulin pens or finger prickers that are kept in a case or bag until they are needed, these devices are on show much of the time.

Growing exposure to type 1 diabetes

Our research at JDRF found that three-quarters of the general public were able to correctly identify a CGM, which is worn on the upper arm. We have seen celebrities with type 1 proudly wearing tech; most notably, Lila Moss showing her insulin pump on the catwalk and at the Met Gala.

This openness about how type 1 is managed is building an awareness of the intricacies and intensity of type 1 management. It is a huge step forward in allowing people with type 1 to be open about their condition.

Making sure people have access to diabetes tech

However, there is still a way to go. We need to continue to raise awareness of type 1 diabetes and work to ensure everyone who needs this life-changing tech has access to it. This is integral to our mission at JDRF, and we will keep working to broaden access to technology across the four nations of the UK.

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