If you have type 2 diabetes – whether you’ve had the condition for a long time or just recently diagnosed – it's important that you look after your physical and mental health and well-being. Staying fit and healthy and managing your blood glucose levels will make treating your diabetes easier and reduce your risk of developing future complications. This section tells you a little bit about type 2 diabetes and provides some top tips to staying fit and well.
Insulin is a hormone the body produces to help to control blood sugar (glucose) levels by instructing the cells (e.g. in the muscles and liver) to absorb glucose from the blood and use it for energy.1
In type 2 diabetes, the body produces less insulin and the body doesn’t respond properly to the insulin that is produced. This causes glucose to build up in the blood. This can lead to serious medical conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease, blindness and amputation.2
Although type 2 diabetes is a life-long condition, medicines and lifestyle changes can help to keep blood glucose under control and reduce the risk of these serious complications.
Type 1 diabetes is a different condition, where the pancreas – which usually produces insulin – doesn’t produce any insulin.3
You can do some simple things that can really make a difference and reduce your risk of developing complications.
Eating a balanced diet can help you maintain a healthy weight and can help keep your blood glucose at the right level
Regular exercise is crucial as it can help to keep your blood glucose at healthy levels
Stop smoking to reduce the risk of developing heart disease
Alcohol can affect your blood glucose. Avoid drinking more than the recommended daily amount and don’t drink on an empty stomach
Ensure you attend any check up appointments with your GP or diabetes nurse; you should also ask your GP about the winter flu jab
Diabetes can affect the blood circulation and nerves in your feet and make it more difficult for you to notice problems. See below for more information
High blood sugars and high blood pressure damage the blood vessels in the kidneys and problems with kidneys can go unnoticed. That’s why it’s so important you have your yearly kidney check – so your healthcare team can spot any changes in time to treat them. You can keep your kidneys healthy by following your other essential healthcare checks, like knowing your HbA1c level, keeping your blood pressure in check and knowing your cholesterol
Too much glucose in the blood can cause damage to the retina at the back of the eye; regular eye tests can help spot symptoms early and monitor any damage
Associate Professor – University of Leicester
Nurse Consultant – University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
Co-chair TREND-UK
Independent Diabetes Nurse Consultant
Co-chair TREND-UK
UK/CORP-19018(1)
Date of preparation: March 2020
