Living as an Adult with Type 2 Diabetes by Alizeh Rizvi (Student)

Diabetes

2025-10-22 10:46:23 UTC

Diabetes is a condition that causes your blood glucose (sugar) level to become too high.

Types of diabetes

2025-10-22 10:48:06 UTC

2 types:

Type 1 Diabetes: Often diagnosed in childhood, but you can get it at any age. It cannot be prevented.

Type 2 Diabetes: Some people are at higher risk due to ethnicity, age, living with obesity or overweight.

It can sometimes be prevented or stopped with lifestyle changes and treatment.

Symptoms of diabetes

2025-10-22 10:51:03 UTC

The most common symptoms of diabetes are:

feeling thirsty all the time
needing the toilet more than usual, especially in the night
feeling very tired
losing weight without trying

With diabetes, you may experience all of these, or only some - every patient has their own individual experience

Long term management of diabetes

2025-10-22 10:53:49 UTC

Having diabetes can increase your chance of getting other health problems, including:

heart attack and stroke
kidney problems
nerve damage and foot problems – diabetes can cause damage to nerves
sight problems – adults and children aged 12 or over will be offered diabetic eye screening every 1 to 2 years
gum disease - inflammation of the gums

Diet as an adult

arizvi1_2 — 2025-10-22 10:54:41 UTC

It can be challenging to make changes in your diet at first, but persistence is key! To manage diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol through diet, focus on eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, while reducing salt, sugar, and saturated fats.

Try choosing healthy carbohydrates like oats, using lean meats and fish, opting for low-fat dairy, and increasing soluble fiber from sources like beans, apples, and oats!

Reducing the harmful things in your diet will improve your symptoms and help prevent further complications in your heart health

Advice to anyone dealing with diabetes

2025-10-22 10:56:50 UTC

From a current patient:

“Cut down on sugar, salt, and eat a balanced diet. Excerise often when you can, even if it is just walking. Most importantly, stay POSITIVE”

Diabetes and heart failure

2025-10-22 11:01:12 UTC

Heart failure is more common in people with diabetes because high blood sugar damages blood vessels and nerves, while conditions like high blood pressure and cholesterol are more likely to occur. This damage can lead to the heart not pumping blood effectively, causing symptoms like swelling and shortness of breath.

Diabetes Medications

arizvi1_2 — 2025-10-22 11:02:56 UTC

The first line medication is usually Metformin, but others include Sitagliptin, Gliclazide, and more. To find out more, read about it here

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-diabetes/looking-after-diabetes/treatments/tablets-and-medication

Support groups

2025-10-22 11:16:34 UTC

It’s really important to spend time with people going through similar changes and struggles as you, to help build community and feel more connected to others like you, and less alone

To find a local support group near you, you can use this link to put in your town and postcode, and it will come up with a list of different support groups near you

There’s something for everyone - football, running, chatting, courses, crafts, and so on!

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/support-for-you/community-support-and-forums/local-support-groups

What is insulin

wr9j57mghr — 2025-10-22 11:27:37 UTC

Insulin helps sugar move from your blood into the cells. When there is not enough insulin being produced the blood cells can’t get the sugar that it needs. Some patients will need some extra insulin in their body, and take it every day to help lower their blood sugar

High BP - Hypertension

wr9j57mghr — 2025-10-22 11:46:09 UTC

Diabetes can damage blood vessels, leading to high blood pressure, while the conditions can also amplify each other's negative effects through shared mechanisms like inflammation and insulin resistance. Individuals with diabetes are twice as likely to have high blood pressure