Diabetes Mellitus
Last Updated: Tuesday, 20 August 2024Diabetes Mellitus (or Diabetes for short) occurs when the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood is higher than normal. According to the charity Diabetes UK, more than two million people in the UK have the condition and up to 750,000 more are believed to have it without realising they do. There are two main types of Diabetes – Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes.
Type 1 Diabetes usually develops quite quickly, over days or weeks, as the pancreas stops making insulin. It usually (but not always) first presents in childhood. Type 1 Diabetes used to be known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
Type 2 Diabetes usually starts in middle-aged or elderly adults but is increasingly being seen in children and in young adults. The number of people with type 2 diabetes is rapidly increasing as it is commonly associated with being overweight.
Click here for a short video on how to take a simple blood glucose test.
A patient information leaflet for patients with Type 2 diabetes on Sodium-Glucose Co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) Inhibitors is available here.
How We Will Help You Manage Your Diabetes
To help you manage your Diabetes, we will invite you to attend the surgery for an annual review. This is an opportunity to check that you are getting the best care you need and to stay healthy. It also gives you the opportunity to discuss any concerns that you might have regarding your health. You will see our Health Care Assistant (HCA) who will take your blood pressure, height and weight and ask you a few questions about your lifestyle such as alcohol, smoking and diet. We will also take your bloods at the appointment, and we will ask you to please bring an early morning urine sample with you when you attend (you can collect a sample bottle free from the surgery). Our HCA can advise you about any small lifestyle changes that may benefit your health and signpost you to further support available.
Our HCA will then book you a telephone appointment with our Practice Nurse to discuss your blood results with you and advise on further treatment which may include medication. Our Nurse can also refer you to specialist services if appropriate such as the Liverpool Diabetes Partnership.
For information on how to live healthily, visit the Lifestyle and Wellbeing section of our website.