Diabetes is a syndrome of disordered metabolism, usually due to a combination of hereditary and environmental causes. It results in abnormally high blood sugar levels (hyperglycaemia). Blood glucose levels are controlled by a complex interaction of multiple chemicals and hormones in the body, including the hormone insulin made in the beta cells of the pancreas. Diabetes mellitus refers to the group of diseases that lead to high blood glucose levels due to defects in either insulin secretion or insulin action in the body.
Diabetes develops due to a diminished production of insulin (in type 1) or resistance to its effects (in Type 2 and gestational diabetes). Both lead to hyperglycemia, which largely causes the acute signs of diabetes: thirst, excessive passing of urine, especially at night and weight loss.
The information here is relevant to Type 1 diabetes because it occurs mostly before the age of 40 years and therefore it the most common type of diabetes in people of university age. In the general population it is much less common than Type 2 diabetes
Information about Type 2 diabetes can be found at
How do I know if I have diabetes?
Typical symptoms of diabetes would be thirst, excessive passing of urine, unintended weight loss and loss of energy. Anyone experiencing any of these symptoms should seek advice from Student Health, any other General Practitioner or the NHS walk-in Centre