Healthy Surrey:

Healthy Surrey

Diabetes

This diabetes this page is intended to provide those living with diabetes with the information and resources needed to aid in managing their conditions, to continue living healthy lives.

Contents

What is diabetes?

  • Type one: Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease were your body attacks the cells in your pancreas which means it cannot create enough insulin.
  • Type two: Type 2 diabetes is when your body is unable to make enough insulin that is your body requires, or the body's cells do not react to insulin

Type 2 diabetes is much more common than type 1. In the UK, around 90% of all adults with diabetes have type 2.

There are a range of resources and support available for those living with diabetes across Surrey.

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes causes the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood sugar to become too high. It happens when your body cannot produce a hormone called insulin.

Managing type 1 diabetes can take time to get used to, but you can still do all the things you enjoy. Insulin is the main treatment for type 1 diabetes, mainly administered by use of an insulin injection or via an insulin pump. We cannot live without insulin.

For more information on type 1 diabetes visit:

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is where the body does not produce enough insulin or the body's cells do not react to insulin. Type 2 diabetes is much more common than Type 1 diabetes. In the UK, around 90% of all adults with diabetes have Type 2.

With type 2 diabetes having high blood pressure can cause other additional complications which can impact on your health such increased risk of stroke and kidney disease.

Education

Digital Weight Management Programme

The NHS Digital Weight Management Programme supports adults living with obesity who also have a diagnosis of diabetes, hypertension or both, to manage their weight and improve their health. This free service is there to support those with type 2 diabetes make positive changes in their lives.

It is a 12-week online behavioural and lifestyle programme that people can access via a smartphone or computer with internet access. The programme is:

  • for adults living with obesity (Body Mass Index (BMI) 30 or greater (adjusted to 27.5 for people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds) plus a diagnosis of diabetes or hypertension or both
  • available via referral from general practice and community pharmacies in England
  • able to provide behavioural and lifestyle interventions delivered over 12 consecutive weeks
  • available for service users to participate via an App or web-based platform.

Healthy Living Programme

A free NHS online Healthy Living Programme structured education programme designed to help patients learn more about and live well with type 2 diabetes. The easy-to-use programme includes information and advice about:

  • type 2 diabetes
  • eating well
  • becoming more active
  • how to look after your body and mind
  • other NHS services and support
  • living with diabetes, including driving, working and travelling.

NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme

This service provides those eligible with low calorie diet replacement treatment for those with type 2 diabetes that are overweight or obese. The NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme will not be suitable for everyone and there are some eligibility requirements that people must meet to be involved. These include that individuals must:

  • be aged 18 – 65 years
  • have a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes within the last 6 years
  • have a BMI over 27 kg/m2 (where individuals are from White ethnic groups) or over 25 kg/m2 (where individuals are from Black, Asian and other ethnic groups).

Individuals who are interested in joining the programme can discuss their individual circumstances with their GP at their next appointment to find out whether it is suitable for them. The provider for Surrey Heartlands is Oviva UK.

For more information visit:

Prediabetes

Prediabetes means that your blood sugars are higher than usual, but not high enough for you to be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. You will be at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. You are unlikely to be experiencing any symptoms with prediabetes.

Prediabetes doesn't have any symptoms. If you start to have any of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes it means you have probably already developed it.

So it's important to know the risk factors and what support is available that could help you prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.

A lot of people don't get any symptoms when it comes to type 2 diabetes, or don't notice them.

Pre-diabetes signs to look out for:

  • Going for a wee more often at night
  • Feeling more tired/ fatigued
  • Losing weight without trying
  • Cuts and woods taking longer than normal to heel
  • Genital thrush
  • Blurred vision
  • Feeling extremely thirsty

If you are worried about developing diabetes you can reach out to your GP.

NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme

If you are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, you may be eligible for the free NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, which helps you to make positive changes to your diet, weight and physical activity to significantly reduce your risk of or even stop you developing Type 2 diabetes.

Your GP or the NHS Health Check programme may refer you the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme if you have already been identified as being at high risk of Type 2 diabetes.

The Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, also known as the Healthier You programme, identifies people at risk of developing type 2 diabetes and refers them onto a nine-month, evidence-based lifestyle change programme.

The Healthier You programme is available both as a face-to-face group service and as a digital service. When referred into the programme, people are free to choose between the two. The provider for Surrey Heartlands is Living Well, Taking Control.

Pregnancy

Women with pre-existing Type 1 diabetes get the best chance of a healthy pregnancy, birth and postnatal period if their diabetes is well controlled before birth.

Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar (glucose) that develops during pregnancy and usually disappears after giving birth.
It happens when your body cannot produce enough insulin – a hormone that helps control blood sugar levels – to meet your extra needs in pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes can cause problems for you and your baby during pregnancy and after birth. But the risks can be reduced if the condition is detected early and well managed.

The majority of women diagnosed with gestational diabetes during pregnancy are usually found during testing.

Here are some signs to look out for:

  • increased thirst
  • needing to wee more often than usual
  • a dry mouth
  • tiredness
  • blurred eyesight
  • genital itching or thrush

But some of these symptoms are common during pregnancy and are not necessarily a sign of gestational diabetes. Speak to your midwife or doctor if you're worried about any symptoms you're experiencing.

For further information on gestational diabetes and how it can affect your pregnancy, please visit the NHS website.

Managing diabetes

Managing diabetes is an important part to ensuring people can continue to live healthy lives. Working with your diabetes team is an important step in keep on top of your diabetes.

Below are some tips on how to manage your diabetes

  • Having all the necessary information
  • Understanding what you need to do in managing your condition
  • Examine your feet regularly to prevent complications
  • Ask for help if you need support from your team or GP
  • Carry medical information that has information about your condition

For more information on how to manage your condition please visit the links below. if you need further support please contact your diabetes team or GP for any urgent issues relating to your condition.

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