Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a common condition that causes the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood to become too high.
- It can cause symptoms like excessive thirst, needing to pee a lot and tiredness. It can also increase your risk of getting serious problems with your eyes, heart and nerves.
- It's a lifelong condition that can affect your everyday life. You may need to change your diet, take medicines and have regular check-ups.
- It's caused by problems with a chemical in the body (hormone) called insulin. It's often linked to being overweight or inactive, or having a family history of type 2 diabetes.
Symptoms
Many people have type 2 diabetes without realising. This is because symptoms do not necessarily make you feel unwell.
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:
- peeing more than usual, particularly at night
- feeling thirsty all the time
- feeling very tired
- losing weight without trying to
- itching around your penis or vagina, or repeatedly getting thrush
- cuts or wounds taking longer to heal
- blurred vision
You're more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes if you:
- are over 40 (or 25 for south Asian people)
- have a close relative with diabetes (such as a parent, brother or sister)
- are overweight or obese
- are of Asian, African-Caribbean or black African origin (even if you were born in the UK)
Diagnosis
Type 2 diabetes is often diagnosed following blood or urine tests for something else.
However, you should see a GP straight away if you have any symptoms of diabetes.
To find out if you have type 2 diabetes, you usually have to go through the following steps:
- See a GP about your symptoms.
- The GP will check your urine and arrange a blood test to check your blood sugar levels. It usually takes about 1 to 2 days for the results to come back.
- If you have diabetes, the GP will explain the test results and what will happen next.
If you're diagnosed with diabetes
What the GP will discuss with you during your appointment depends on the diagnosis and the treatment they recommend.
Generally, they'll talk to you about:
- what diabetes is
- what high blood sugar means for your health
- whether you need to take medicine
- your diet and exercise
- your lifestyle – for example, alcohol and smoking
The GP will do their best to discuss the diagnosis with you, but this first appointment might only be 10 to 15 minutes.
If you have questions about your diagnosis
It's usually difficult to take in everything the GP tells you during the appointment.
Talk to family and friends about what the GP told you, and write down any questions you have.
Then make another GP appointment and take your list of questions with you.
There's also a lot of information on diabetes available.
What happens after the diagnosis
Usually, the following things happen after your diagnosis:
- The GP may prescribe medicine. It might take time for you to get used to the medicine and to find the right doses for you.
- You will usually need to make changes to your diet and be more active.
- You'll have to go for regular type 2 diabetes check-ups.
- You'll have to look out for certain signs to avoid other health problems.
- Ask the GP about a free education course for type 2 diabetes.
Liverpool Diabetes Partnership
The Liverpool Diabetes Partnership [LDP] is a service dedicated to providing quality diabetes care within the community, right on your doorstep.
Diabetes & You
FREE education sessions – are currently running at health centres across the city.
This page has been amended by the Diabetes Team from Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Content provided by NHS.uk
Find information and advice on health conditions, symptoms, healthy living, medicines and how to get help.
Published on Mon, 12 Jul 2021 11:01:36 GMT
Modified on Wed, 20 Jul 2022 16:37:39 GMT