Diabetes is a condition that most people will have heard about, but do you know about the different types of diabetes, and how to spot the signs?
November 14 was World Diabetes Day, so I encourage everyone to learn about this disease to help you understand and manage the risks associated with it.
Diabetes is a lifelong condition that affects the day-to-day wellbeing of tens of thousands of people in Norfolk and Waveney and poses a significant risk to their long-term health.
There are several different types of diabetes, but the two most common ones are Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Gestational diabetes also affects some women during pregnancy.
Do you know the 4 Ts of Type 1 Diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes occurs when cells in the pancreas become unable to make insulin. Insulin is essential for life so people with Type 1 diabetes require insulin therapy for the rest of their lives. Type 1 diabetes is not caused by lifestyle factors and cannot be prevented. It is the most common type of diabetes affecting children and young people, although affects people of all ages.
If left undiagnosed, Type 1 Diabetes can make someone very ill very quickly. Knowing the signs could avoid a medical emergency and save lives.
Diabetes UK recommends knowing the 4Ts to identify someone who may have undiagnosed Type 1 Diabetes:
Toilet – going for a wee more often, especially at night.
Thirsty – being constantly thirsty and not being able to quench it.
Tired – being incredibly tired and having no energy.
Thinner – losing weight without trying to, or looking thinner than usual
If you or a family member is showing any of these symptoms, contact your GP surgery straight away, call 111 for advice, or go to A&E if the symptoms are getting worse.
Are you at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes?
About 90% of people who have diabetes have Type 2 diabetes, which develops when either the body doesn’t make enough insulin or when the insulin your body produces doesn’t work effectively (insulin resistance).
Type 2 diabetes mostly affects adults, although it can occur in children and young people. Although not always preventable, the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes is contributed to by lifestyle factors, particularly by being overweight or obese.
Here in Norfolk and Waveney, just under 70,000 people live with diabetes, and over 64,000 of these are living with Type 2 diabetes. This disease not only affects their day-to-day lives but creates a significant risk to their long-term health including heart disease and stroke, nerve damage, amputations, and miscarriage and stillbirth in pregnant women.
Eating well, maintaining a healthy weight, and being regularly active are important lifestyle behaviours that will reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. If you are already diagnosed with Type 2, following these healthier lifestyle behaviours will help you to self-manage your condition and greatly reduce the risk of longer-term health complications.
Diabetes UK has an online Know Your Risk tool at riskscore.diabetes.org.uk. I would encourage everyone to take just five minutes to complete the tool online to help you understand and manage your risk of developing Type 2.
If you take the test and are “at risk”, please speak to your GP practice about the Healthier You Diabetes Prevention Programme (NDPP).
The NDPP is an evidence-based lifestyle change programme which helps people at high risk of Type 2 diabetes to reduce their risk through managing their weight, eating more healthily and being more physically active.
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