Is it an emergency?
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in Ipswich and East Suffolk News, North East Essex News, West Suffolk News
NHS Suffolk and North East Essex is launching a public awareness campaign aimed at encouraging adults most at risk from developing Type 2 Diabetes to sign-up for free weight management support and advice.
People who carry excess weight are at increased risk because their blood sugar levels are often slightly higher than they should be and fall into the ‘pre-diabetic’ range.
If blood sugars remain at this level, patients are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes.
People with raised blood sugar in Suffolk and north east Essex can take part in the free National Diabetes Prevention Programme (NDPP), delivered for the local NHS by healthcare solutions provider Xyla Health and Wellbeing.
To check if you are at risk, complete the ‘Know Your Risk’ tool at www.sneewellbeing.org.uk/diabetes-prevention. The tool will tell you if you are at increased risk and if you are, you are advised to contact your GP surgery for an appointment.
The NDPP focuses on helping people to lose weight, increase their physical activity levels and improve their diet in ways that fit in with their own individual daily routines.
It also provides support with problem-solving and stress-reduction and shows how people can develop coping skills to manage some of the factors that can cause them to eat more.
The programme consists of a mix of 1-to-1 and group sessions delivered by specially trained health and wellbeing coaches. The sessions total 26 hours and are spread over nine months.
Other factors can lead to an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, but these are things that cannot be changed.
Black people and people of south Asian origin are more at risk, as is anyone with a family history of diabetes or a diagnosis of gestational diabetes. The risk also increases with age.
Dr Nirmalan de Silva, GP at Mill Road Surgery in Colchester, said: “Diabetes is a leading cause of preventable sight loss in people of working age and is a major contributory factor to kidney failure, heart attack, and stroke.
“It also makes it more difficult for patients to fight serious conditions such as cancer, heart disease and viruses such as COVID-19.
“I would encourage everyone who thinks they may be at risk to complete the ‘Know Your Risk’ tool and call their GP surgery if they find out that they are.”
Dr Dean Dorsett, GP at Burlington Primary Care in Ipswich, said: “Diets don’t work! But changing your daily meal habits is by far the easiest and most powerful way to improve your health, mood, energy, sleep and the length and quality of your life.
“The National Diabetes Prevention Programme has successfully supported thousands of people to do this and prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes.
“Type 2 diabetes can have a hugely detrimental impact on a person’s quality of life so check your risk and do contact your GP if the result shows you could be on your way to developing it.”
Dr Jon Ferdinand, GP at Wickhambrook Surgery in Newmarket said: “Type 2 diabetes is currently one of the biggest threats to our population’s health and yet it’s a condition which can be delayed or prevented.
“It’s never too late to start looking after yourself. Making changes now can help you remain as healthy and active as possible in the years to come with a better quality of life to spend time with the people around you.”