Information for the public
Learning about type 2 diabetes
Learning about type 2 diabetes
Your diabetes team should teach you all about type 2 diabetes. They should teach you about:
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HbA1c levels
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how food, drink and exercise affect diabetes
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what to do if you are ill
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taking metformin
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the other problems caused by type 2 diabetes (such as eye damage or gum disease).
What they teach you should be based on:
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what you want to learn and how you want to be taught
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how well you are coping with having diabetes
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how old you are
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how much you already know about diabetes
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what you want to do and achieve in your life.
Your diabetes team should always check that you understand everything they tell you. This includes if you need the information provided in a different way (for example, if you do not understand English very well or if you have a health condition that makes it hard to understand things). You can also ask any questions you have about diabetes.
Your diabetes team should also tell you about living with diabetes. This includes:
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getting flu jabs
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telling you that you should see the optician as often as people without diabetes
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telling you that you should see the dentist regularly, because you are more likely to get gum disease
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what benefits people with type 2 diabetes might be able to get from the government
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how other groups (such as charities) can help
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the dangers of smoking when you have diabetes, and how to get help to stop smoking
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how drugs affect diabetes.
Questions to ask about what you are taught
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Can you tell me more about type 2 diabetes?
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Can you tell me more about things I'll have to change in my life now I have type 2 diabetes?
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Can you give me the contact details (such as a phone number) for the diabetes team?
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Can you give me any information in another language?
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Can you give my parents or carers any information?
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Can you give me any written information? What websites are helpful?