Help avoid the risk of diabetes, urge health leaders
People at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes are being urged to learn more about what they can do to help avoid the condition.
This week is Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Week and NHS leaders have joined with the charity Diabetes UK in raising awareness about what can be done to prevent diabetes.
They are being urged to learn more about diabetes prevention and to know their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by visiting the Diabetes UK online tool.
Around 90% people with diabetes have type 2 which can be prevented or delayed through being more physically active, eating healthily and managing their weight.
There are 69,910 adults with Type 2 diabetes in Derby and Derbyshire, which 1 in 13 or 7.63% of the population. This compares with a 7.5% prevalence in England. In addition, over a million people in England have undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes.
Some groups are at higher risk of type 2 diabetes including: men, people of South Asian or Black ethnicity, people who are overweight and people with a family history of type 2 diabetes. Black and South Asian people have a higher risk of getting Type 2 diabetes after the age of 25, compared with those from a White background where risk increases after the age of 40.
The health complications of getting Type 2 diabetes can be serious and life changing. These may include loss of sight, loss of limbs, increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.
Type 2 diabetes and its symptoms often develop slowly so people don’t always notice them or put them down to something else.
Symptoms can include:
- going to the toilet more often to wee, especially at night.
- feeling extremely thirsty.
- feeling more tired.
- losing weight without trying.
- genital itching or thrush.
- cuts and wounds taking longer to heal.
- blurred vision.
Dr Kriss Owen, NHS Derby and Derbyshire clinical lead for diabetes, said: “I would really recommend everyone in Derbyshire to have a look at our Healthier You website and see if you are at risk of diabetes.
“There are not many times when you know in advance you might get a disease and can prevent it.
“They say ‘prevention is better than cure’. You have the option of joining groups which meet all over Derbyshire or getting one-to-one support via phone or an app.
“Checking the website today could be the first step to a new healthier you. Join thousands of people all over Derbyshire who have prevented diabetes through personalised support.”
You can check your risk of type 2 diabetes by using Diabetes UK’s free, online Know Your Risk Tool at diabetes.org.uk. It takes just a few minutes to complete and signposts you to support if you need it.
If you think you are at risk of type 2 diabetes and would like more information, please visit Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, or, if you have any other concerns related to your health, please contact your GP practice.