People in the Black Country are being urged to look out for diabetes symptoms and take action to prevent themselves developing the condition.
This Diabetes Week (12-18 June), local healthcare leaders are highlighting the importance of spotting the symptoms, as well as recognising the millions nationwide who are living with diabetes.
Diabetes is a condition that causes a person's blood sugar level to become too high. Type 2 diabetes is often linked to being overweight or inactive, or having a family history of type 2 diabetes, and the health implications can be serious and life changing. It is the leading cause of preventable sight loss in people of working age, as well as a major contributor to kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, and many common types of cancer.
Type 1 diabetes is a rarer form of the condition, which is caused by genetic or environmental factors, and can’t be prevented. Those with type 1 diabetes require regular insulin injections for
life to keep blood glucose levels under control.
The main symptoms of diabetes to look out for include:
• feeling very thirsty
• peeing more frequently than usual, particularly at night
• feeling very tired
• weight loss and loss of muscle bulk
• itching around the genital area, or frequent episodes of thrush
• cuts or wounds that heal slowly
• blurred vision.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please seek medical advice.
In the Black Country, more than 108,000 people are currently living with diabetes, of whom around 94% have the type 2 form of the disease, which can often be prevented or delayed by leading a healthy lifestyle and managing your weight.
Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “It's really important for diabetes to be diagnosed as early as possible because it will get progressively worse if left untreated.
“Whilst we recognise type 1 diabetes is not preventable, there are several risk factors for type 2 diabetes which are very much in your control, such as losing weight, getting more physically active and eating a healthy, balanced diet.
“That’s why knowing your level of risk early for type 2 diabetes is important to help motivate you to make those lifestyle changes that will have a positive benefit to your quality of life.”
To find out your risk of type 2 diabetes, visit the Diabetes UK website here.
For those living with type 2 diabetes, the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme (NHS DPP) can help you make simple changes to your diet, your physical activity levels, and your weight management. For more information about the NHS DPP, visit the Stop Diabetes website here.
For those living with type 1 diabetes, MyType1Diabetes is a free digital resource that offers tailored advice and information created by NHS experts and people living with the condition. For more information, visit the MyType1Diabetes website here.
