Type 2 diabetes – know your risk!

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Type 2 diabetes is a long-term illness that can seriously affect your life. Left untreated it can lead to life threatening kidney damage, heart disease, and even blindness.

Certain groups of people have a higher risk of suffering from the condition. These include:

  • Over 40s
  • Over 25s from Black or South Asian backgrounds
  • People with high blood pressure
  • Overweight people
  • Those with a family history of the condition

There are certain symptoms to look out for. These can be of concern to anyone, but especially those who fall into the high-risk categories. Common symptoms include:

  • Urinating more than usual
  • Feeling thirsty all the time
  • Feeling very tired
  • Losing weight without trying to
  • Itching around your penis or vagina, or repeatedly getting thrush
  • Cuts and wounds taking longer to heal
  • Blurred vision

For Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Week, we are encouraging those at high-risk of developing the condition or experiencing symptoms to speak to their GP. Taking a routine blood test will allow your GP to test for diabetes, and establish your future risk of developing the condition.

Your GP will be able to provide advise on lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your risk of diabetes, and point you in the direct of local services that may help you live a healthier life.

Check your level of risk by using the Diabetes UK ‘Know Your Risk’ tool: Diabetes UK – Know Your Risk of Type 2 diabetes