There are four areas of tissue at the back of the throat that are concerned with the development of defences against infection in early infancy. These are the right and left tonsils, the base of the tongue and the adenoids.

The adenoids are located above the tonsils, at the back of the nose. They get larger between birth and four years of age and then become progressively smaller. By adulthood they have disappeared altogether.

Glucose is one of the body’s main fuels. If there isn't enough, blood sugar levels rise and glucose is secreted into urine. This causes:
increased thirst
frequent urination
tiredness
weight loss, although appetite often increases (especially in Type 1 diabetes)
itchiness, especially around the genitals
recurrent infections on the skin, eg boils.

People with Type 1 diabetes usually develop these symptoms within days or weeks.

In Type 2 diabetes, these symptoms often don't show for years. Many are diagnosed by chance through routine medical check-ups.

Heredity plays a part in diabetes, but only 10 per cent of people with Type 1 have a family history of diabetes. For Type 2, this rises to 30 per cent.