Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System are promoting the upcoming World Diabetes Day which takes place on 14 November 2023.

1 in 10 adults worldwide have diabetes. Over 90% have type 2 diabetes. Close to half are not yet diagnosed.

Diabetes is a condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high. There are 2 main types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2

Type 1 diabetes is not linked with age or being overweight. The causes are unknown, and it is unpreventable. Only 10% of people with diabetes have Type 1.

Symptoms of can affect anyone – adult or child but can come on very quickly for those with Type 1. Having symptoms doesn’t mean you definitely have the condition, but you should always contact your GP, just to make sure.

Type 2 diabetes is much more common than type 1. It is linked to lifestyle factors and develops over time. Unlike Type 1 diabetes, it is largely preventable.

It is important to know your risk of type 2 diabetes and complications it can cause and what you can do to prevent or delay it by adopting and maintaining healthy habits.

The first step to preventing diabetes is finding out what your risk is, you can do this quickly and simply on the Diabetes UK tool at www.riskscore.diabetes.org.uk/start.

If you are at risk of diabetes, the tool will provide you information on services that can help you reduce your risk.

Ready to Change Norfolk www.norfolk.gov.uk/readytochange is also there to help you make positive changes to your life, whether it’s eating healthily, drinking less, quitting smoking or moving more and Feel Good Suffolk www.feelgoodsuffolk.co.uk is a new way to support people to improve their health and wellbeing.Services include support to stop smoking, manage weight and be more active.

The more common symptoms of Diabetes are known as the 4T’s:

• Toilet – going for a wee a lot, especially at night,
• Thirsty – Being really thirsty and not being able to quench it,
• Tired – Feeling more tired than usual,
• Thinner – Losing weight without trying or looking thinner than usual.

Diabetes is a serious condition, if left untreated and poorly managed, it can lead to life changing chronic complications, such as vision loss, kidney failure, amputation, heart disease and strokes.

By adopting a healthy lifestyle (healthy eating, regular exercise and having a healthy body weight, not smoking) and keeping your blood sugar levels under control, you can reduce the risk of chronic and acute complications of diabetes.

A variety of education programmes are available to support you to manage your diabetes and achieve a healthier lifestyle.

Speak to your healthcare team about education support available in your area or access free digital education programmes:

Adults with Type 1 www.mytype1diabetes.nhs.uk

Adults with Type 2 www.healthyliving.nhs.uk

Children and Young People with Type 1 www.digibete.org.

For people living with diabetes, awareness and access to the correct information and best available medicines and tools to support self-care is vital to delay or prevent complications.

Find out more at www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/diabetes-symptoms

If you are living with diabetes, it is advisable to have an annual review to check for any signs that your diabetes may be causing damage around your body. Early detection of any problems arising means that your healthcare team can make sure you are offered the treatment you need to reduce the chances of long-term complications.

Testing your urine is a very important part of your annual health check, if protein is found in your urine it is a very early sign that something may not be quite as it should be.

Speak to your healthcare team about your annual health checks. Find out more about annual health checks at www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/care-to-expect

You can read more about the campaign on the International Diabetes Federation website: www.worlddiabetesday.org