It's Diabetes Prevention Week (13 - 19 June). People are being urged to find out what they can do to prevent getting type 2 diabetes.

People living with diabetes face higher risks of heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, foot problems, vision loss, kidney problems and dying with COVID-19.

According to the NHS you should visit your GP as soon as possible if you experience the main symptoms of diabetes, which include:

Feeling overly thirsty and peeing more frequently than usual, particularly at night
Feeling overly tired with no real reason
Weight changes
Itching around the penis or vagina, or frequent episodes of thrush
Cuts or wounds that heal overly slowly
Blurred vision – book an eye test as an optician will be able to tell if it is a symptom of diabetes
However, the message from NHS England and Diabetes UK, is that you can help prevent type 2 diabetes by eating a healthy, balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight and keeping physically active.

There are some groups at higher risk of type 2 diabetes, such as, people of South Asian or Black ethnicity, people who are overweight and people with a family history of type 2 diabetes.

Anyone who is pregnant should also ensure that they are regularly checked for gestational diabetes by their midwife or doctor.

Find out your risk of type 2 diabetes by using the Diabetes UK Know Your Risk Score using the link below.