Patients registered with a GP practice in Tameside and Glossop are being encouraged to use an online 'Know Your Risk' guide to help detect Type 2 diabetes.

Prevalence of people in Tameside and Glossop diagnosed with diabetes has increased to 6.6 per cent compared to 6.1 per cent in 2018.

NHS Tameside and Glossop Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is now urging local people to use the Diabetes UK - ‘Know Your Risk’ online tool and to self-refer to their local ‘Healthier You Service’ if they are at risk. 

Every two minutes someone finds out that they have Type 2 diabetes which can be a very serious health condition causing long-term health problems.  

It can lead to sight loss, kidney failure, loss of a limb, and makes people at least twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke. 

Being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes can have a huge impact on a person’s life and their family and can mean lots of changes to the way people live.

Anyone can develop Type 2 diabetes, but certain factors can increase risk, eg the older people are, the greater the risk is likely to be. However, those from ethnic groups tend to be at risk at a younger age. 

People are two to six times more at risk if they have a parent, child, brother or sister with Type 2 diabetes, and more likely to get Type 2 diabetes if they are over 25 and from a Chinese, South Asian, Black Caribbean or Black African ethnic background. Anyone who carries excess weight, has obesity or has ever had high blood pressure is also at risk.

There are also other factors associated with an increased risk such as; having had a heart attack or stroke, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or depression, or if anyone is receiving treatment with anti-psychotic medication. Women who have had polycystic ovarian syndrome, gestational diabetes, or given birth to a baby weighing over 10lbs are also at risk.

Co-chair at NHS Tameside and Glossop CCG, Dr Asad Ali, said: “Finding out you’re at risk only takes a few minutes using the Diabetes UK risk tool. It could be the most important thing you do today.

“Make sure to have a tape measure handy as you’ll need to measure your waist.

“If you’re at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, you may be eligible for your free local Healthier You service.  This will help you put your health back in your hands by supporting you to lose weight, where appropriate, get more physically active and eat healthy food. Taking action now is important as it can reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.”

For more information visit: https://www.tamesideandglossopccg.org/type2diabetes