Treatment
It’s important to keep your blood sugar levels as close as possible to the target recommended by your diabetes care team. To do this, you will need to look at your diet and lifestyle and make any changes necessary.
- Healthy living advice and support for people in Norfolk
- Healthy living advice and support for people in Suffolk
If you are prescribed medication or need insulin injections, please ensure you are taking this as advised.
If you are on medication that puts you at risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugars) make sure you have a drink or snack with you that will raise your blood sugar level if it does drop too low. It’s important to keep these by your bed as well, in case you are unwell during the night.
If you drive, you should check your blood sugar before setting off to ensure your levels are not too low. Please refer to guidance on this from the DVLA.
Find out more about hypoglycaemia.
Make sure you have an adequate stock of your medication. If you can’t get out to pick up your prescription for any reason, ask a friend or relative to collect it for you. If this is not possible, speak to your regular pharmacy or dispensary about any support they can offer.
Type 2 diabetes can be reversed in some people
The NHS Diabetes Path to Remission Programme supports eligible patients to lose weight and, in many cases, come off their diabetes medication altogether.
Health checks
As type 2 diabetes is a long-term condition, you will be in regular contact with your diabetes care team.
You should also be seen at least once a year to check how well your diabetes is being controlled over the long term.
At your diabetes annual review you will have eight key health checks. These are very important as they help to pick up any changes early and prevent them getting worse.
You will also be invited to have an annual flu jab. You should have your flu vaccination before the start of winter as people with diabetes are at increased risk of becoming seriously ill from the virus.
More information
Diabetes UK has up-to-date information and support. Their website offers free meal plans, information about medications and diabetes-related complications, and support forums where you can get in touch with other people living with diabetes across the UK.
You should have been given advice about how to look after yourself when you are ill – known as your ‘sick day rules.’ Your diabetes care team can help you with this.
Free online learning is also available for people with type 2 diabetes.
If you need help
You can access healthcare services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If there is an urgent need, you can obtain medical advice by visiting 111.nhs.uk or by phoning NHS 111.
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