What is type 2 diabetes?
- Type 2 diabetes is a common condition that causes the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood to become too high.
- It can cause symptoms like excessive thirst, needing to pee a lot and tiredness. It can also increase your risk of getting serious problems with your eyes, heart and nerves.
- It's a lifelong condition that can affect your everyday life. You may need to change your diet, take medicines and have regular check-ups.
- It's caused by problems with a chemical in the body (hormone) called insulin. It's often linked to being overweight or inactive, or having a family history of type 2 diabetes.
Symptoms
Check if you have type 2 diabetes
Many people have type 2 diabetes without realising. This is because symptoms do not necessarily make you feel unwell.
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:
- peeing more than usual, particularly at night
- feeling thirsty all the time
- feeling very tired
- losing weight without trying to
- itching around your penis or vagina, or repeatedly getting thrush
- cuts or wounds taking longer to heal
- blurred vision
You're more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes if you:
- are over 40 (or 25 for south Asian people)
- have a close relative with diabetes (such as a parent, brother or sister)
- are overweight or obese
- are of south Asian, Chinese, African Caribbean or black African origin (even if you were born in the UK)
See a GP if:
- you have any of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes
- you're worried you may have a higher risk of getting it
Your GP can diagnose diabetes. You'll need a blood test, which you may have to go to your local health centre for if it cannot be done at your GP surgery.
The earlier diabetes is diagnosed and treatment started, the better. Early treatment reduces your risk of other health problems.
Getting diagnosed
Type 2 diabetes is often diagnosed following blood or urine tests for something else.
However, you should see your GP straight away if you have any symptoms of diabetes.
To find out if you have type 2 diabetes, you usually have to go through the following steps:
- See your GP about your symptoms.
- Your GP will check your urine and arrange a blood test to check your blood sugar levels. It usually takes about 1 to 2 days for the results to come back.
- If you have diabetes, your GP will ask you to come in again so they can explain the test results and what will happen next.
If you're diagnosed with diabetes
What your GP will discuss with you during your appointment depends on the diagnosis and the treatment they recommend.
Generally, they'll talk to you about:
- what diabetes is
- what high blood sugar means for your health
- what medicine you'll have to take
- your diet and exercise
- your lifestyle – for example, alcohol and smoking
Important
Your GP will do their best to discuss the diagnosis with you, but this first appointment might only be 10 to 15 minutes.
If you have questions about your diagnosis
It's usually difficult to take in everything the GP tells you during the appointment.
Talk to family and friends about what the GP told you, and write down any questions you have.
Then make another GP appointment and take your list of questions with you.
What happens after the diagnosis
Usually, the following things happen after your diagnosis:
- Your GP will prescribe medicine. It might take time for you to get used to the medicine and to find the right doses for you.
- You might need to make changes to your diet and be more active.
- You'll have to go for regular type 2 diabetes check-ups.
- You'll have to look out for certain signs to avoid other health problems.
- Ask your GP about a free education course for type 2 diabetes.
Understanding medication
Medicines for type 2 diabetes
Most people need medicine to control their type 2 diabetes.
Medicine helps keep your blood sugar level as normal as possible to prevent health problems. You may have to take it for the rest of your life.
Diabetes usually gets worse over time, so your medicine or dose may need to change.
Adjusting your diet and being active is also necessary to keep your blood sugar level down.
Getting the right medicine for you
Diabetes medicines help lower the amount of sugar in your blood.
Important
There are many types of medicine for type 2 diabetes. It can take time to find a medicine and dose that's right for you.
You'll usually be offered a medicine called metformin first.
If your blood sugar levels are not lower within 3 months, you may need another medicine.
Over time, you may need a combination of medicines. Your GP or diabetes nurse will recommend the medicines most suitable for you.
Insulin is not often used for type 2 diabetes in the early years. It's only needed when other medicines no longer work.
Diabetes UK has more information about taking medicines for type 2 diabetes.
Taking your medicine
Your GP or diabetes nurse will explain how to take your medicine and how to store it.
If you need to inject insulin, they'll show you how.
Side effects
Your diabetes medicine may cause side effects.
These can include:
- bloating and diarrhoea
- weight loss or weight gain
- feeling sick
- swollen ankles
Not everyone has side effects.
If you feel unwell after taking medicine or notice any side effects, speak to your GP or diabetes nurse.
Do not stop taking medication without getting advice.
Travelling with diabetes medicines
If you're going on holiday:
- pack extra medicine – speak to your diabetes nurse about how much to take
- carry your medicine in your hand luggage just in case checked-in bags go missing or get damaged
- if you're flying with a medicine you inject, get a letter from your GP that says you need it to treat diabetes
Food and keeping active
Staying healthy if you have type 2 diabetes
A healthy diet and keeping active will help you manage your blood sugar level.
It'll also help you control your weight and generally feel better.
You can eat many types of foods
There's nothing you cannot eat if you have type 2 diabetes, but you'll have to limit certain foods.
You should:
- eat a wide range of foods – including fruit, vegetables and some starchy foods like pasta
- keep sugar, fat and salt to a minimum
- eat breakfast, lunch and dinner every day – do not skip meals
If you need to change your diet, it might be easier to make small changes every week.
Information about food can be found on these diabetes sites:
Important
You should go for a regular diabetes check-up once a year to make sure your blood pressure and cholesterol (blood fats) are OK.
Help with changing your diet
If you find it hard to change your diet, a dietitian might be able to help.
Talk to your GP or diabetes nurse to see if the cost could be covered through the NHS.
Being active lowers your blood sugar level
Physical exercise helps lower your blood sugar level. You should aim for 2.5 hours of activity a week.
You can be active anywhere as long as what you're doing gets you out of breath.
This could be:
- fast walking
- climbing stairs
- doing more strenuous housework or gardening
The charity Diabetes UK has tips on how to get active.
Your weight is important
Losing weight (if you're overweight) will make it easier for your body to lower your blood sugar level, and can improve your blood pressure and cholesterol.
To know whether you're overweight, work out your body mass index (BMI).
If you need to lose weight, try to do it slowly over time. Aim for around 0.5 to 1kg a week.
The charity Diabetes UK has more information on healthy weight and weight loss.
There is evidence that eating a low-calorie diet (800 to 1,200 calories a day) on a short-term basis (around 12 weeks) can help with symptoms of type 2 diabetes. And some people have found that their symptoms go into remission.
A low-calorie diet is not safe or suitable for everyone with type 2 diabetes, such as people who need to take insulin. So it is important to get medical advice before going on this type of diet.
Going for regular check-ups
Type 2 diabetes check-ups help to make sure your condition doesn't lead to other health problems.
Every 3 months
Blood sugar checks (HbA1C test)
Checks your average blood sugar levels and how close they are to normal.
You have these checks every 3 months when newly diagnosed, then every 6 months once you're stable.
This can be done by your GP or diabetes nurse.
Once a year
Feet
Checks if you've lost any feeling in your feet, and for ulcers and infections.
This can be done by your GP, diabetes nurse or podiatrist.
Speak to your GP immediately if you have cuts, bruises or numbness in your feet.
Eyes
Checks for damage to blood vessels in your eyes.
Speak to your GP immediately if you have blurred vision.
Blood pressure, cholesterol and kidneys
Checks for high blood pressure, heart and kidney disease.
This can be done by your GP or diabetes nurse.
Health problems
You need to keep an eye on your health and have regular check-ups if you have type 2 diabetes because it can lead to:
- heart disease and stroke
- loss of feeling and pain (nerve damage) – causing problems with sex
- foot problems – like sores and infections
- vision loss and blindness
- miscarriage and stillbirth
- problems with your kidneys
Controlling your blood sugar level and having regular diabetes check-ups is the best way to lower your risk of complications.
Getting your heart checked
You should have your cholesterol (blood fats) and blood pressure checked at least once a year. Diabetes increases your risk of heart disease and stroke, so it's important that high blood pressure and high cholesterol are spotted and treated early.
If you're already being treated for high cholesterol and high blood pressure, keep taking your medicine.
Diabetes also worsens the effects of smoking on your heart.
Loss of feeling
You should let your GP or diabetes nurse know if you notice any changes in your body.
Diabetes can damage your nerves (neuropathy). This usually affects your feet, but it can affect other parts of your body, causing:
- numbness
- pain or tingling
- problems with sex
- constipation or diarrhoea
Early treatment can prevent nerve damage getting worse.
Looking after your feet
You should check your feet every day. Diabetes can reduce the blood supply to your feet and cause a loss of feeling.
This means foot injuries don't heal well and you may not notice if your foot is sore or injured. These problems can lead to ulcers and infections.
Simple things are important, like:
- keeping feet clean and dry to avoid infection
- trying not to go barefoot outside to avoid nicks and cuts
- wearing shoes that fit well
Speak to your GP or diabetes nurse if you notice any changes in your feet, including:
- cuts, cracks or blisters
- pain or tingling
- numb feet
Diabetes UK has advice on how to check your feet.
Your feet should also be checked every year by your GP, diabetes nurse or podiatrist.
Sores or infections that aren't treated early can lead to gangrene. More than 135 amputations resulting from diabetes are carried out every week in the UK.
Diabetes and your eyes
Everyone with diabetes aged 12 or over should be invited to have their eyes checked for changes due to diabetes once a year.
If you have diabetes, your eyes are at risk from diabetic retinopathy, a condition that can lead to sight loss if it's not treated.
Screening, which involves having drops in your eyes to see the back of your eye better, and having photographs taken, is a way of detecting the condition early so it can be treated more effectively.
Read more about diabetic eye screening.
Speak to your local optometrist/optivian immediately if you notice changes to your sight, including:
- blurred vision, especially at night
- shapes floating in your vision (floaters)
- sensitivity to light
The diabetic screening only checks for changes due to diabetes, having diabetes means you may be more likely to get other eye conditions like glaucoma or cataracts so it is also important that you have a regular eye examination (which will be free on the NHS) with your local optometrist/optician.
Find an optometrist/optician here
Pregnancy and diabetes
Speak to your GP or care team if you're thinking of having a baby.
You can have a safe pregnancy and birth if you have type 2 diabetes. But you will need to take extra precautions and have more appointments before and during pregnancy.
Finding help and support
There is a lot of information and support available for type 2 diabetes. Some of the support depends on the area you live in.
Take a course to help you manage your diabetes
There are free education courses to help you learn more about and manage your type 2 diabetes.
Your GP will need to refer you, but you can phone your GP surgery to get a referral letter, so you don't need to make an appointment.
Read more information about education courses for type 2 diabetes.
Telling DVLA you have type 2 diabetes
If you're taking insulin for your type 2 diabetes, you will need to tell DVLA. This is because of the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia). You can be fined if you don't tell DVLA.
Support groups for type 2 diabetes
The charity Diabetes UK runs local support groups.
These can help with things like managing your diabetes on a daily basis, diet, exercise or dealing with emotional problems, such as depression. They offer a place to talk and find out how others live with the condition.
Blogs, forums and apps
- Diabetes.co.uk forum – discussions about living with and managing diabetes
- Diabetes UK blogs – a collection of blogs on work and diabetes, food, eyes and more
- Diabetes Chat – scheduled chats with healthcare professionals or just the chance to talk to others
Telling others can be difficult
It can be difficult to tell others you have diabetes, but it can help for certain people to know:
- family can support you – especially as you will need to make changes to what you eat
- it's important your colleagues or employer know in case of an emergency
- being diagnosed with diabetes can affect your mood – telling your partner will help them understand how you feel
Carry medical ID in case of an emergency
Some people choose to wear a special wristband or carry something in their wallet that says they have diabetes, in case of an emergency.
If it's known that you have diabetes, this can make a difference to the treatment you'll receive.
Search the internet for "medical ID" to find websites that sell them.
Social care and support guide
If you:
- need help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability
- care for someone regularly because they're ill, elderly or disabled – including family members