There are over 276,000 people in Scotland who currently have type 2 diabetes (1 in every 20 people) and many thousands more who have the condition and don’t yet know it.

Having type 2 diabetes puts you at greater risk of developing heart disease or having a stroke – both of which could have a significant impact on your work and your home life.  However type 2 diabetes is often preventable and if you have it, heart disease and stroke can be prevented with early lifestyle changes and treatment.

What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition caused by too much sugar in your blood. The amount of sugar in your blood is controlled by a hormone called insulin, which acts as a key to ‘unlock’ your cells allowing the sugar to enter and provide energy.  Type 2 diabetes can develop when your body either can’t produce enough insulin or your insulin doesn’t work properly.

There are four main factors which put you at risk:

• age – being over the age of 40 (over 25 for people of south Asian, Chinese, African-Caribbean or black African origin, even if you were born in the UK)

• genetics – having a close relative with the condition, such as a parent, brother or sister

• weight – being overweight or obese particularly with excess weight around the middle)

• lifestyle – unhealthy diet and insufficient physical activity

Type 2 diabetes usually develops gradually over many years.

The symptoms of diabetes include:

• Feeling very thirsty

• Passing more urine than normal, particularly at night

• Feeling very tired

• Unexplained weight loss

• Blurred vision

• Getting frequent infections such as regular episodes of thrush

Take this quick and simple test to find out if you are at risk of type 2 diabetes. See your GP if you think you may have diabetes.

How can I reduce my chance of developing type 2 diabetes?

Take action now and look at what lifestyle changes you can make:

• Eat a healthy diet – high fibre foods, plenty of fruit and vegetables, and choose low fat, low sugar and low salt foods

• You may need to reduce your weight or waist size

• Increase your level of physical activity

For further information see the CHSS ‘Diabetes’ factsheet. Or contact the CHSS Advice Line nurses on: Freephone 0808 801 0899.