What is diabetes and how can it impact your overall health?

Diabetes is one of the most common long-term health conditions in the UK, but due to misinformation and lack of education, many people don’t realise they may be at risk or already living with it. Whether you’ve been diagnosed or simply want to understand more, knowing how diabetes affects the body is a powerful step towards protecting your health.

At Bluecrest Wellness, we’re here to help you take control of your wellbeing. That starts with understanding the conditions that could be impacting your energy and long-term health; including diabetes.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition that affects how your body processes sugar (glucose), which is your main source of energy. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it effectively. This leads to high blood sugar levels, which over time can damage your organs and increase your risk of serious health problems.

There are two main types:

• Type 1 diabetes: Usually diagnosed in childhood or adolescence. It’s an autoimmune condition where the body attacks insulin-producing cells.

• Type 2 diabetes: More common in adults and often linked to lifestyle factors like diet, weight and activity levels. It can develop slowly and may go unnoticed for years.

It’s also good to be aware of pre-diabetes, where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet in the diabetic range. This stage is reversible with the right lifestyle changes.

How diabetes affects your health

Diabetes doesn’t just affect blood sugar. It can impact many areas of your health, including:

• Heart health: High blood sugar can damage blood vessels and increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.

• Kidney function: Diabetes is a leading cause of kidney disease.

• Vision: It can lead to diabetic retinopathy, which affects the eyes and may cause blindness.

• Nerve damage: Known as neuropathy, this can cause pain, tingling or numbness, most notably in the feet.

• Energy levels: Fluctuating blood sugar can leave you feeling tired or foggy.

Even if you feel fine, unmanaged diabetes can cause silent damage over time. That’s why early detection and proactive management are so important.

Signs to look out for

Diabetes symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for other issues. Common signs include:

• Feeling very thirsty or hungry

• Frequent urination

• Fatigue or low energy

• Blurred vision

• Slow-healing cuts or infections

• Tingling or numbness in hands or feet

If you’re experiencing any of these, it’s worth speaking to a healthcare professional or booking a health check.

How health checks can help

At Bluecrest Wellness, our health assessments include tests that check your blood sugar levels and other key indicators. These tests can help identify:

• Raised blood glucose (a sign of diabetes or pre-diabetes)

• Cholesterol levels (linked to heart health)

• Inflammation markers (which can signal stress or chronic conditions)

By understanding your numbers, you can take action early, whether that’s adjusting your diet and lifestyle or seeking medical advice.

Prevention is possible

The good news is that type 2 diabetes is largely preventable. Small changes can make a big difference:

• Eat a balanced diet with less sugar and processed foods

• Stay active. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise a day. Make it a form of exercise you enjoy.

• Maintain a healthy weight

• Manage stress and get enough sleep

• Get regular health checks to monitor your risk

Your health, your future

Diabetes is serious, but it’s also manageable. With the right knowledge and support, you can reduce your risk and protect your long-term health.

If you’re concerned about diabetes or want to check your risk, explore our packages today. You’ll get clear results, expert guidance and the tools to take control of your wellbeing.

Keep an eye on your blood sugar with Bluecrest Wellness

Understanding your blood sugar is a key part of looking after your overall health. Elevated glucose levels can affect everything from your energy levels to your heart and kidney health. Tracking these changes gives you valuable insight into what’s happening inside your body.

Bluecrest Wellness offers in-depth Health assessments that include essential blood sugar checks like HbA1c and fasting glucose, alongside a full panel of health markers to assess your wellbeing.

Want to find out insights about your health? Book your health assessment today!

To book your health assessment, click here

For Vitality customers, book here.

For Benenden customers, book here.

Need help? You can reach out to our corporate team on 0808 168 9219