Type 2 Diabetes What to expect following a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes and what you can do! What is Type 2 Diabetes? Type 2 diabetes is a common condition where your blood sugar levels are too high. It can lead to serious health problems if not managed properly. Managing it involves lifestyle changes and usually some medication as well. Click here to understand more Type 2 diabetes | NHS inform Where to find more information There’s a lot of information out there so here are some trusted sources, and local information to help you live well with diabetes. The Diabetes UK website is a good starting point. Type 2 diabetes | Diabetes UK Diabetes UK Booklets: Free guides for people newly diagnosed with diabetes. (download a copy or order a printed booklet for free). 1. Newly diagnosed with diabetes | Free diabetes information – Diabetes UK Shop 2. Your guide to type 2 diabetes | Free diabetes information – Diabetes UK Shop My Diabetes My Way online education modules on living with diabetes and understanding remission (reversing type 2 diabetes) My Diabetes My Way eLearning Information in other languages: My diabetes my way in other Languages: My Languages | Information Site Diabetes UK information in different languages: Diabetes information in different languages | Diabetes UK Seeing your results My Diabetes My Way is an on-line platform, where you can see your own test results and understand what they mean. Register for an account here: My Diabetes Registration Learning and Support in NHS Lothian NHS Lothian offers in person or online courses for people who have recently been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. These sessions give you practical tips and support to help you self-manage your diabetes. in person ‘DESMOND’ online self-directed ‘MyDESMOND’. You can self-refer to these programmes by following the link below, ( in some cases your GP team can help with this). Diabetes Education and Self-Management for Ongoing and Newly Diagnosed (DESMOND) – Adult Weight Management and Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Service Living Well with diabetes A healthy balanced lifestyle is essential living well with diabetes. This includes healthy eating, moving well (and sitting less), and we also need to consider good quality sleep, managing stress, and avoiding unhealthy substances like alcohol and smoking. Click here for more: Healthy living | NHS inform What matters to you? It can be difficult to know where to start, but it is important not to do too much too soon.Think about: What matters most to you Consider simple goals that set you up for success Changes are more successful when you are supported by friends and family, or other groups in your community. You might want to hear other people’s stories: Your Stories | Diabetes UK Eat well – nutrition, not ‘diet’ Healthy eating and weight loss can help manage or even reverse diabetes. The best ‘diet’ is the one you can stick to. Diabetes UK has lots of simple ideas to get you started Healthy eating | Living with diabetes | Diabetes UK We know it can be expensive to eat well. Eat well, spend less – BDA Budget meal plan | Eating with diabetes | Diabetes UK Moving more (and sit less) Physical activity help manage your blood sugar, including simple things like going for a walk after a meal. Consider things that you can do, and enjoy, from chair based exercises, moving to music, working on your strength, to team sports. Aim to work it into your routine. Here are some links to some local programmes Midlothian Active Choices Programme – Midlothian Active Choices (MAC) | Midlothian health activities | Midlothian Council Edinburgh Leisure active communities: Health and Wellbeing Support Programmes – Active Communities West Lothian: Xcite Health & Wellbeing East Lothian: Active East Lothian | Health and Wellbeing Referral Programme Sleeping well We know how important good sleep is in regulating your mood and appetite, and on other choices you may make in your day. Fall asleep faster and sleep better – Every Mind Matters – NHS If you are struggling with insomnia, you can access online support via the Sleepio app Onboarding Sleep Test – Sleepio Stress Stress can play a huge role in how you feel, the choices you are able to make, and can affect your blood sugar levels. While there is no simple solution it can be managed in many different ways. Lothian offers an online services using computerised cognitive behavioural techniques designed for people living with diabetes struggling with anxiety or depression. You can self refer to Daylight, or your healthcare professional can refer you the silvercloud service. Daylight SilverCloud-Patient-Information-Leaflet.pdf cCBT-Silvercloud-Diabetes-Key-Questions-for-patient.pdf Please see the Support page for additional support options. Weight Management & Remission The weight management team can provide support through the following programmes: Second Nature: a digital app based designed to support long term healthy habits and improve overall health. Second Nature – Adult Weight Management and Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Service Diabetes remission programme: A two-year intensive weight loss programme which aims to help people living with Type 2 diabetes. This involves 12 week total diet replacement using soups and shakes, followed with food reintroduction and long-term weight-loss maintenance. Type 2 Diabetes Remission through Counterweight Plus – Adult Weight Management and Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Service Weight Management Support: this programme will allow you to access psychology and exercise specialist within the programme. Specialist Weight Management Support – Adult Weight Management and Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Service Self-referral forms are available on the NHS Lothian Weight Management and Type 2 diabetes website in the links above. Medicines Most people with Type 2 diabetes need tablets or injections to help reduce blood sugar to their own target level. Your diabetes team will help guide you on your options. For more information see Patient Information Leaflets – Diabetes Managed Clinical Network Monitoring What check-ups will I need now I have been diagnosed with diabetes? You’ll need regular health check ups to prevent complications like heart disease, stroke, eye, kidney or foot problems. HbA1cthis blood test measures average blood sugar over the last 3 months and helps guide treatment. It is usually measured once a year when stable, but might be measured again after 3-6 months if there has been a change to your treatment. Blood pressureideally at least once a year. You may wish to consider having your own monitor to check readings at home. Reducing salt, moving more, and weight loss can all help reduce your blood pressure. Weightonce a year your weight should be recorded, but the scales are not the whole story – where weight is distributed is important, so your waist circumference might also be measured. Cholesterolannually. High levels are associated with an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Although reducing the fat content in diet can lower cholesterol slightly, many people require medication, such as statins. Smokingincreases risk of diabetes complications. Support can be offered through your local pharmacy or the ‘Quit your way’ team via: Quit Your Way Lothian Urine testonce a year your urine (wee) should be tested to check for protein levels (microalbumin). ‘Leaky kidneys’ are early indicator of diabetes kidney disease, but there are medicines that can prevent further harm. Kidney blood testannual blood test. Like the urine test, this can give an indication if you are at risk of kidney problems. Eye checkyou should have regular checks for changes in the eyes associated with diabetes, known as ‘diabetic retinopathy’. These are separate from the eye checks you might get at an optician. You should get an invitation to attend an eye check appointment shortly after a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes then every 2 years (or more often if needed). Foot checkDiabetes can cause problems with the blood supply and nerves to the feet, which can increase risk of foot ulcers and infection. Your feet should be examined by a healthcare professional shortly after diagnosis and at least once every 2 years. Some people may require foot checks more often and sometimes there is input from podiatry clinics. Understand your results through My diabetes My Way > Homepage | Information Site and also at Know Your Numbers How often do I need a check-up and where should this be? Most people with Type 2 diabetes should have a check-up at least once per year. If your results are high you may need more frequent visits. Do I need to monitor my sugar levels? Usually no. Home testing is mainly for those on insulin or certain other medications. Other resources Physical Activity Diabetes for exercise | Type 1 and type 2 | Diabetes UK Nutrition I have type 2 diabetes – what can I eat? | Diabetes UK Local Support Groups Find a local group near you: Local groups – Diabetes Scotland | Diabetes UK
