A guide to type 2 diabetes: what is it and how to manage it?

It is estimated by Diabetes UK that by 2023, almost 5.5. million Brits will have diabetes, 90% of cases being type 2. There are many misinterpretations about type 2 diabetes, with many people not actually understanding what it is and how to identify if they have it. In this article, we explain what type 2 diabetes is, and what it means to have it.

Our consultant endocrinologist, and leading weight loss clinician, Dr Saira Hameed, breaks down each myth about type 2 diabetes and helps us to understand what it really is, what lifestyle changes you can make to transform your health, and how to properly manage it.

Once we consume food, our bodies naturally produce a hormone called insulin. Insulin helps our bodies to maintain a healthy blood sugar level, as it pushes out excess sugar out the blood, and into other parts of the body. When a person has diabetes, specifically type 2, their body struggles with pushing sugar out of the blood because of insulin resistance; therefore, their blood sugar levels rise. This leads to organ damage, sight problems and an increase in heart attack.

Signs to look out for are

• Constant thirst
• Unintentional and rapid weight loss
• Fatigue
• Thrush
• Slow-healing wounds
• Recurrent infections
• Frequently needing to pass urine

If you've noticed you have been experiencing one or more of these signs for a while, be sure to get your blood sugar checked as soon as possible.

Up to 850,000 Brits are living with diabetes but are not always aware that they have it. If you have been experiencing the symptoms or have any other reason to be concerned that you might have the condition, I would say to book a blood glucose screening and seek medical advice.

Anyone can develop type 2 at any age. Another misconception is that older people develop it, but I have diagnosed type 2 diabetes in people of all ages: young adults and occasionally in teens and children.

One misconception about diabetes is that a high body weight is the main cause. A high body weight can be a driver, not it’s not the only risk factor. A person’s ethnicity can be a big impact; people from the Indian subcontinent have a higher risk of developing the condition, for example. Genes can play a part in developing diabetes; this means if you have a sibling or a parent with diabetes, you are more likely to develop diabetes.

Research has shown that regularly exercising and aiming to lose weight, as well as changes to your diet, can significantly lower the risk of a person developing type 2 diabetes.  At OneWelbeck Endocrinology, we take a holistic approach to managing diabetes. We try to provide as much support to patients as we can, including giving nutritional guidance on food choices and advice on how to regularly exercise and be active. We also give patients advice on how you can lower stress levels and improve your sleep routine. We take this holistic approach as we want to ensure our patients understand completely how they can take full care of their health; and, therefore, make healthier lifestyle choices.

The most effective treatment depends entirely on the person. I personally take a case-by-case approach to each and every patient of mine. I make sure to understand their work routine, work, and home life, what treatments they have tried previously. I also tend to make sure to take into account their goals, values, and hopes for the future. Gathering these types of information helps me to advise on the best treatment for my patient.

Some patients with diabetes also consider bariatric surgery. This procedure is minimally invasive, quick and requires less recovery time, not to mention it can be life-changing for those living with diabetes.

Our overall approach is that by creating a personalised consultant-led treatment plan, anyone who comes to visit our centre will be able to access the help that they need. We want to help restore people’s confidence and help them to successfully manage their diabetes so that can live their life in the way that feels perfectly right for them.