Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 DiabetesType 2 diabetes is by far the most common type of diabetes – in the UK over 90 per cent of people with diabetes have type 2.  In the UK over 3 million people have type 2 diabetes, in Devon over 57,000 people type 2 diabetes and in Cornwall more 25,000 have type 2 diabetes. For more information click here.

Type 2 diabetes usually affects those over 40, or 25 if you’re of South Asian descent. However, it is becoming more common among young people due to lifestyle. The symptoms of type 2 diabetes are not always obvious and, unlike with type 1, they can take a long time to develop.

People with type 2 diabetes either don’t make enough insulin or don’t make insulin enough that the body can use properly. The body’s cells become resistant to insulin, leading the body to make more and more insulin to keep blood glucose levels within a normal range. Eventually, the pancreas can wear out from producing this extra insulin, and it may start making less and less.

Type 2 can be managed through diet, exercise, and self-monitoring blood glucose, at least in the first few years following diagnosis. However, type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition, and most people are likely to need tablets and/or inject insulin.

Useful links

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Diabetes/Pages/Diabeteshome.aspx

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/Diabetes-the-basics/What-is-Type-2-Diabetes/

 

If you are worried about developing Type 2 diabetes you can use this simple guide to know your risk.

http://www.nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/Diabetes.aspx

Here are some useful links if you want help to reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes

http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/Diabetes/Pages/Avoiddiabetes.aspx

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/Preventing-Type-2-diabetes

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