Experiences with
Type 2 diabetesAlthough not everyone gets symptoms, having type 2 diabetes may cause you to pee more, feel very thirsty and tired, and sometimes lose weight.
Risk of type 2 diabetes can increase because of older age, ethnicity and family history. Not moving enough or being overweight are also factors.
If you have type 2 diabetes, it's important to make lifestyle changes such as losing weight, exercising more and eating more healthily.
If you need medicine for type 2 diabetes you'll usually be offered metformin. Some people need to take insulin or other diabetes medicines.
Type 2 diabetes increases your risk of health problems including very high glucose levels, heart disease, and foot, kidney and eye problems.
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes
The most common symptoms of type 2 diabetes are:
- feeling very tired
- peeing more than usual
- feeling thirsty all the time
- losing weight without trying to
Other symptoms can include:
- blurred vision
- cuts or wounds taking longer to heal
- itching around your penis or vagina, or you keep getting thrush
These symptoms are the same for both adults and children.
If you get symptoms (not everyone gets them), they may develop gradually.
The symptoms can be similar to type 1 diabetes, but type 1 diabetes usually develops more quickly and is more common in younger people.
Who is more likely to get type 2 diabetes
Some people have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. You may be more at risk if:
- you're white and over 40 years old or over 25 years old and from a South Asian, Chinese, Black African or Black Caribbean ethnic background
- a parent, or your brother or sister has it
- you're overweight and not very physically active
- you have a condition that increases your risk, such as high blood pressure
Although type 2 diabetes is less common in children, ethnic background, weight, activity and family history can also increase the risk.
- you think you or your child may have type 2 diabetes
- you or your child have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes
Not everyone with type 2 diabetes has symptoms, so it's important to get checked out.
How type 2 diabetes is diagnosed
Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed with a blood test that checks how high your blood glucose (sugar) levels are. The results usually take a few days.
Tests will confirm if you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Lifestyle changes to help with type 2 diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes or have been told that you may get it in the future (prediabetes), lifestyle changes can help lower your blood glucose (sugar) levels. This can help to manage diabetes and possibly avoid having to take medicine.
Lifestyle changes can sometimes lower your blood glucose to a normal level and stop diabetes (remission).
What you can do to make lifestyle changes:
try to eat a healthy diet including fruit, vegetables, wholegrain foods such as wholemeal bread and oats, and pulses such as chickpeas and lentils
improve your diet slowly if you're finding it difficult – a small change every week can make it easier
talk to a GP or diabetes nurse if you're finding it hard to change your diet as they may be able to find support in your local area
try to spend at least 2.5 hours (across the whole week) either walking or doing another activity that leaves you out of breath
try to lose weight if you've been told you're overweight
stop smoking – having diabetes increases the harmful effects of smoking
try to limit how much alcohol you drink
have regular dental check-ups to help prevent gum disease
do not each too much processed foods with lots of salt and sugar – this may include things like bacon, chips, cheese, sweets and biscuits
do not change to a very strict, low-calorie diet without talking to a health professional first – this type of diet may not be suitable if you're taking insulin or other diabetes medicine
Children with type 2 diabetes will be under specialist care.
Medicine for type 2 diabetes
If you need medicine, you'll usually be offered metformin, which is one of a few medicines used to treat type 2 diabetes.
If you have another health problem, or metformin alone does not lower your blood glucose level, you may need to take another medicine with metformin, or change to a different diabetes medicine.
If metformin, or other diabetes medicines, do not help, you may need to take insulin. It's usually used to treat type 1 diabetes, but it can be used to treat type 2 diabetes, as well.
You may need to take insulin a few times a day, either by injection or through a pump. This will help keep your blood glucose levels within a normal range.
You'll be told how much to take and when to take it. Taking too much insulin can cause your blood glucose levels to go too low. This is known as hypoglycaemia or having a "hypo".
If you feel ill, such as vomiting, diarrhoea or a very high temperature, while you're taking diabetes medicine, speak to a doctor or a member of your healthcare team. They may tell you to stop taking your medicine temporarily, until you feel better. Do not stop taking your medicine unless your healthcare professional or doctor tells you to.
- you're taking diabetes medicine and have vomiting, diarrhoea or a very high temperature
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online .
Long-term complications of type 2 diabetes
Having type 2 diabetes increases your chance of getting other long-term health problems, so it's important to get it treated and manage it well.
Other health problems include:
- damage to your blood vessels, which can cause coronary heart disease and stroke
- foot problems such as ulcers and infections, which can sometimes result in you needing surgery to remove your foot or leg (an amputation)
- sight problems such as diabetic retinopathy and blindness
- kidney problems
- gum disease
You can lower your chances of complications by managing your blood glucose (sugar) as well as you can, and by making healthy lifestyle changes such as eating a balanced diet, exercising and not smoking.
It's important to go to all of your diabetes appointments, and make sure you do not miss any tests. Doing this can help find and treat any complications as soon as possible.
- you have blisters or cracked skin on your feet
- you have any pain, tingling or numbness in your body, problems having sex, constipation or diarrhoea – these could be signs of nerve damage
- your vision gets worse
Support from charities and organisations
Information and support for anyone with diabetes, including support groups, online communities and courses and tools for managing diabetes.
- Website: www.diabetes.org.uk
- Helpline: 0345 123 2399, open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday
- Email: helpline@diabetes.org.uk
- Diabetes UK: local support groups
- Diabetes UK: forum
Diabetes.co.uk
Social care and support
Our social care and support guide explains your options and where you can get support if you:
- need help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability
- care for someone regularly because they're ill, disabled or because of their age – including family members
Related links
HealthUnlocked contains information from NHS Digital, licensed under the current version of the Open Government Licence
