FAQs
- Diabetes & You - (currently delivered in 2 parts)
- Diabetes, Food & You - (currently delivered in 2 parts)
- Diabetes, Insulin & You - (currently delivered in 2 parts)
- Healthy weight
- Giving up smoking
- Drinking less alcohol
- Increasing physical activity
What is Type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells, meaning no insulin is produced. This causes glucose (blood sugar) to quickly rise in the blood. It is not known exactly why this happens, but science tells us it’s got nothing to do with diet or lifestyle and about 10% of people with diabetes have Type 1.
Type 1 diabetes can develop at any age but usually appears before the age of 40, and especially in childhood. It is the most common type of diabetes found in childhood.
What local support is there for people with Type 1 diabetes?
From the point of being diagnosed, people with Type 1 Diabetes are supported and cared for by Gloucestershire’s Diabetes team at the hospital and their General Practice.
The hospital team offer educational sessions for children with Type 1 Diabetes as well as their parents/carers using the ‘Ready, Steady, Go!’ programme which prepares children in their transition to the adult services.
For more information about what Type 1 Diabetes is and how to manage it visit Diabetes UK.
What is Type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the body doesn’t make enough insulin, or the insulin it makes doesn’t work properly, meaning glucose (sugar) builds up in the blood. Around 90% of people with diabetes in the UK have Type 2. It is serious condition and if left untreated, high sugar levels in your blood can seriously damage parts of your body, including your eyes, heart and feet.
A person can develop Type 2 diabetes for multiple reasons that can be associated with their family history and lifestyle factors. However, it is known that over 50% of cases of Type 2 diabetes in people could have been prevented or delayed by leading healthy lifestyles.
To find out whether your family history or lifestyle is potentially putting you at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, complete the Diabetes UK ‘Know Your Risk’ questionnaire. It could be the most important thing you do today!
What local support is there for people with Type 2 diabetes?
There's lots of different support available:
Type 2 Diabetes structured education
Evidence shows that people with diabetes who know how to manage their condition have better long term outcomes. It is recommended that everyone diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes attends an education session so that they can learn about their condition and how to manage it. The Community Diabetes team offers 3 group programmes: the sessions are
You can self-refer by completing this online form but if you have difficulties with this then please speak to your practice diabetes nurse.
NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme (T2DR)
The NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme is a free programme designed to help you reduce your diabetes medications, lose weight, improve your health, and potentially put your Type 2 diabetes into remission.
What is remission from Type 2 diabetes?
Putting your diabetes into remission means that, although you have a diagnosis of diabetes, your blood glucose levels have returned to a healthy level. Remission from your Type 2 diabetes can happen if you lose weight, have a HbA1c reading outside of the diabetes-range (<48mmol/mol), and stop taking all blood glucose lowering (diabetes) medications. Although remission can be life-changing, it doesn’t mean that diabetes has gone for good.
How can I find out more & sign up?
There is more information about the programme here, and a leaflet about the NHS Low-Calorie Diet Programme is also available. Talk to your GP or nurse if you are interested in taking part, and they can refer you to the programme if appropriate.
KiActiv
KiActiv® Health is a 12-week guided online programme that includes a personal interactive dashboard, a validated physical activity monitor, and remote support from a trained mentor. It is focused on everyday physical activity, promoting opportunities to be active across all 112 waking hours a week, rather than 1-2 hours of an exercise intervention. If you are interested in finding out more ask your practice if you can be referred.
Further information available here.
Gloucestershire Healthy Lifestyles Service (HLS)
Gloucestershire Healthy Lifestyles Service (HLS) is a countywide service offering support for people who are ready to make a positive lifestyle behaviour change.
The HLS service offers a FREE healthy lifestyle behavioural support coaching around:
The individual support includes a mixture of face-to-face and digital support that can last up to 12 weeks.
More information is available at: www.hlsglos.org or contact the HLS team via email (glicb.hlsglos@nhs.net) or telephone (0800 122 3788).
Live Better to Feel Better online courses – Gloucestershire NHS Health and Wellbeing College
Self-management is about finding ways to enable you to control your long-term health condition, rather than having it control you, including those people living with Diabetes.
The Live Better to Feel Better courses are online self-directed learning through friendly and interactive virtual group sessions, which are delivered by people with lived experience. You can learn techniques to help with relaxation, managing pain and fatigue, getting a good night’s sleep, problem solving, managing low mood, communication tips, being active and more!
Contact ghwc@ghc.nhs.uk or phone 0300 421 1623 to find out more and book your place.