Posted on behalf of NHS Healthier You and Reed Wellbeing
NHS Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Programme (NPDD)
Type 2 diabetes is a serious disease and many people with it experience life-changing complications and symptoms. There are things which make you more likely to develop it, such as being overweight, but it is largely preventable through lifestyle changes.
Healthier You: the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme can help you take control and prevent the disease from developing and is available in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
Get started by checking your risk to see if you could benefit from using the NDPP service or call 0800 092 1191 between 9am and 6pm.
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
According to nhs.uk
Type 2 diabetes is a common condition that causes the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood to become too high. It’s caused by problems with a chemical in the body (hormone) called insulin. It’s often linked to being overweight or inactive, or having a family history of type 2 diabetes.
What makes you more at risk?
You’re more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes if you:
- are over 40 (or 25 for South Asian people)
- have a close relative with diabetes (such as a parent, brother or sister)
- are overweight or obese
- are of Asian, African-Caribbean, or black African origin
How it Works
If you are identified as at risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes, you will be supported through a series of behaviour change ideas to improve your health and lifestyle, based around four key areas of learning: Be Aware, Take Control, Eat Well and Move More – the key part of the programme is ensuring these changes last.
If you are taking part in a group class with a Health Adviser there are 13 group sessions in total. All sessions are currently online and over the phone to ensure Covid-19 secure access to the service.
Sessions are fortnightly for the first month before moving to four weekly. The programme is designed to be informal, interactive, and supportive. Everyone will be working together and supporting each other.
Your Health Coach will give you all the guidance and support you need.
Case Studies
A number of participant case studies have shown the effectiveness of the programme.
Your HbA1c is your average blood glucose (sugar) levels over the last few months, and during the programme 85-year-old pre-diabetic Noel had a 12% fall in his Hba1c readings and reduced his BMI into the healthy range. Others also experienced successful reductions in their average glucose levels and weight.
Finding out you are at risk of Type 2 Diabetes, and joining a programme to do something about it, can be a worrying time, but participants found their worries eased as the programme started. As a Kingsbridge Medial Centre participant stated:
‘When I was asked by my GP to join the program, I was very apprehensive especially as I suffer from anxiety and depression and find it difficult to communicate.
However, I thoroughly enjoyed the whole program I have learnt so much about diet and nutrition and how it effects your blood sugars. At the end of the course, I have lost 4 kilos and 10% body fat which I am highly delighted with. I have improved my step count enormously which I would never have done. My blood sugars are stable, and my cholesterol is excellent my GP said it’s the best my cholesterol as ever been’
More on Type 2 Diabetes
If you are concerned you may have type 2 diabetes, please see your GP – the earlier diabetes is diagnosed and treatment started, the better.
What are the symptoms?
Many people have type 2 diabetes without realising. This is because symptoms do not necessarily make you feel unwell. Though signs can include:
- peeing more than usual, particularly at night
- feeling thirsty all the time
- feeling very tired
- losing weight without trying to
- itching around your genital area, or repeatedly getting thrush
- cuts or wounds taking longer to heal
- blurred vision