Type 2 diabetes is a serious but treatable condition. You need to look after your health and have regular check-ups.
If diabetes is poorly managed it can cause other health problems such as:
- high blood pressure
- heart disease and stroke
- damage to the eyes (retinopathy)
- damage to the kidneys (nephropathy) or liver
- damage to nerves, loss of feeling and pain (neuropathy)
- gum disease
- risks to a healthy pregnancy such as premature delivery, miscarriage or stillbirth
Early diagnosis and treatment of type 2 diabetes can reduce potential health problems. Many people have type 2 diabetes and do not realise it. It is often not diagnosed until health problems start to appear.
Important
Going for regular check-ups is the best way to detect, prevent and treat any changes to your health.
Regular check-ups
Regular check-ups allow your doctor, nurse or diabetes team to check how well your treatment is working.
At your check-up, they will:
- discuss your treatment options with you
- talk about your symptoms
- discuss your medicines
- talk to you about any other issues that might impact your diabetes
Non-urgent advice: Contact your doctor or diabetes team if:
- your symptoms suddenly get worse
- you develop new symptoms between your check-ups
Download the Safer to Ask booklet (PDF, 397KB, 4 pages) for tips to follow when attending any appointments.
Get your blood glucose checked by your doctor - HbA1c testing
Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) shows your average blood glucose levels over the past 2 to 3 months.
You should have this checked by your doctor or nurse at least twice a year.
Get your heart health checked
Have your cholesterol (blood fats) and blood pressure checked at least once a year. Diabetes increases your risk of heart disease and stroke. It's important that high blood pressure and high cholesterol are detected and treated early.
If you're already being treated for high cholesterol and high blood pressure, keep taking your medicine.
Diabetes worsens the effects of smoking on your heart.
Get your eyes checked
You should get diabetic retina screening regularly.
The HSE offers a free diabetic retina screening service to people with diabetes age 12 and older.
Poorly treated diabetes can cause damage to the tiny blood vessels at the back of the eyes. This can cause sight problems such as diabetic retinopathy and blindness.
Diabetic retina screening can find this damage before it affects your sight.
Screening checks the part of your eye called the retina. If diabetic eye disease is found early, treatment can reduce or prevent damage to your sight.
Go to your eye specialist or optician for other reasons, such as for glasses or other eye checks.
Non-urgent advice: Contact your doctor if you notice changes to your sight, including:
- blurred vision, especially at night
- shapes floating in your vision (floaters)
- sensitivity to light
If you have eyesight problems, support is available from Vision Ireland.
Freephone: 1800 911 250
Check your feet
Check your feet every day.
Poorly treated diabetes can:
- affect the nerves in your feet
- reduce the blood supply to your feet
- cause a loss of feeling in your feet
This means foot injuries do not heal well. You may not notice if your foot is sore or injured.
These problems can lead to ulcers and infections. In serious situations, this can lead to leg amputations.
Loss of feeling and numbness in your body
Let your doctor, nurse or diabetes team know if you notice any changes in your body.
Poorly managed diabetes can damage your nerves (neuropathy).
This usually affects your feet, but it can affect other parts of your body, causing:
- numbness
- pain or tingling
- problems with sex such as erectile dysfunction for men and vaginal dryness for women
- constipation or diarrhoea
Early treatment can prevent nerve damage from getting worse.
Get your kidneys checked
Your doctor or nurse will do urine and blood tests at least once a year to check your kidneys.
High blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose over long periods of time can damage blood vessels in the kidneys.
Check your teeth and gums
If you have diabetes, it is important to take good care of your teeth and gums and try to reduce the risk of gum disease. Having diabetes puts teeth and gums more at risk. Check-ups are important.
Flu vaccine
Flu can be very serious if you have type 2 diabetes.
Ask for your free flu vaccine at your GP surgery or pharmacy.
Diabetes and pregnancy planning
Speak to your doctor or diabetes team if you're thinking of having a baby, or if you are pregnant, as soon as possible.
You can have a safe pregnancy and birth if you have type 2 diabetes. You will need to take extra precautions and have more appointments before and during pregnancy.
Carry medical ID in case of an emergency
Some people wear a special wristband or carry a card that says they have diabetes, in case of an emergency.
If it's known that you have diabetes, this can make a difference to the treatment you'll receive.
Medical ID cards and wristbands may be available at your local pharmacy or through Diabetes Ireland.
Diabetes (ICE) ID cards - diabetes.ie
Add ICE as a contact to your mobile phone
In your mobile phone, save a contact name as ICE to be called In Case of Emergency (ICE).
The ICE number is for someone that you would want contacted if you were in an accident or needed medical assistance.
