Quiz: Ho il diabete?

About diabetes

Diabetes is on the rise, with more than 5 million adults diagnosed with the condition in the UK alone, according to Diabetes UK. Around 1 in 10 people with diabetes have diabete di tipo 1 - an autoimmune condition in which the body stops producing insulin. However, 9 out 10 people have diabete di tipo 2, usually caused by poor diet and lifestyle choices - although family history and ethnicity can also increase your chance of developing it.

If you're concerned that you might be having some of the symptoms of diabetes - or know that you may have a higher chance of developing the condition - these questions should help you discover whether you have some of the symptoms. If you suspect you may have or may be developing diabetes, it's important to get a check-up as soon as possible.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition, and as yet the triggers for this condition are unknown. However, the onset of type 2 diabetes has a number of contributing factors - including being overweight or having obesity, living a sedentary lifestyle, or eating an unhealthy, high-calorie diet.

Dr Jenna Macciochi, Doctor of Immunology at the University of Sussex explains: "With type 2 diabetes your body's still producing at least some insulin - which helps our cells to utilise glucose - but you can't respond to it. You've lost that sensitivity.

"If the system gets overworked - eating the wrong things, eating too frequently, too much - the system gets worn out and we lose the sensitivity to it."

With type 1 diabetes, the body stops producing insulin, meaning the effect on the body is usually rapid and noticeable. However, type 2 diabetes develops slowly - the body still produces insulin, but it may be insufficient, or the body might not respond to it properly.

This means that the development of symptoms is gradual. "Symptoms for type 1 diabetes often develop very fast," says Macciochi. "But with type 2 diabetes you may not even know you have it, as symptoms can be very subtle."

The nine questions look at common symptoms you may have noticed. Using the data, it will be suggested whether to seek help.

The only conclusive test for diabetes is a blood test. However, these questions should give you an indication of whether to seek urgent help, or whether to raise the issue at your next doctor's appointment.