Almost one million people in the UK don't realise they have the disease...

DIABETES affects nearly two million people in the UK - but almost one million don't even know they've got it.

The rise in obesity in recent years has been accompanied by a huge increase in the number of people with type 2 diabetes which, unlike type 1, develops gradually so can go unnoticed for a long time.

But, left untreated, diabetes can cause heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure, circulation problems, nerve damage, blindness and damage to the kidneys - so it's vital the condition is treated as early as possible.

The number of diabetics in the UK has gone up by 400,000 in the last eight years and now affects three per cent of the population, according to Diabetes UK,

"Many of the worst effects of diabetes can be avoided," points out Douglas Smallwood, chief executive of Diabetes UK. "The number of people with diabetes is rising at an alarming rate.

"We cannot afford to wait until people have heart attacks or have problems with their sight or kidneys before they get the care they need.

"We now estimate there will be three million people with diabetes by 2010. This will place a huge strain on individuals and the NHS as diabetes can lead to serious complications.

"But if diabetes is diagnosed early and treated effectively, many of the worst effects can be avoided."

A simple urine test at your GP, sometimes followed by a blood test, is all that's needed to test for diabetes.

In some instances type 2 diabetes doesn't display any symptoms so regular tests are important, especially if you are in one of the "at risk" groups, which include the over-40s, those with a family history of the condition and anyone overweight.

Black and Asian people are also at a higher risk of diabetes than other ethnic groups.

While people are often scared to be tested for a serious condition like diabetes, if it's controlled properly most diabetics lead perfectly normal lives - diabetic Sir Steve Redgrave certainly didn't let it stop him achieving anything.

THE FACTS

Diabetes is an incurable condition where the body is unable to regulate the level of glucose in the blood stream.

It's caused by an insufficient level of insulin, a glucose regulating hormone. If untreated, high glucose levels damage the blood vessels, which can cause nerve damage in the hands and feet, blindness and heart failure.

There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas produces very little or no insulin - usually because the cells which produce it have been destroyed.

Anyone who has this type will need treatment for the rest of their lives. It usually develops before the age of 40, often in the teens.

Type 2 diabetes happens when the body doesn't make enough insulin or cells in the body don't react to it properly. More than 80 per cent of type 2 diabetics are overweight and of the 1.8 million diabetics in the UK, 1.5 million have type 2.

SYMPTOMS

Increased thirst.

Going to the toilet all the time - especially at night.

Extreme tiredness.

Weight loss - although appetite often increases.

Genital itching or regular episodes of thrush.

Blurred vision.

PREVENTION

The causes of type 1 diabetes are not fully understood and little can be done to prevent it. It's a common myth that it's caused by eating too many sweets.

But everyone is at risk of developing type 2 diabetes as they get older, especially if it runs in the family. But overweight people and those who take little exercise are particularly vulnerable.

The best way to prevent type 2 diabetes is to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Eat a healthy diet low in saturated fat, salt, sugary snacks and drinks. Try to have regular meals throughout the day to keep your blood sugar level constant and eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables every day.

Stop smoking and reduce your alcohol intake. If you have diabetes, you can still eat foods such as chocolate and sweets as long as you keep your diet healthy.

Take 30 minutes of exercise at least three times a week.

TREATMENT

Sufferers of type 2 diabetes will have to make changes to their diet and do more exercise to combat the condition. In some cases they also need to take tablets or insulin injections.

Type 1 diabetes is usually treated by regular insulin injections.

Anyone with diabetes has to keep a regular check on their glucose levels with blood or urine tests.