Shulammite Emeghara 2536049 LCHS 4008 Aishat Bakre Assignment Title: Report on Type 2 Diabetes: Screening, Management and Community Support Date: November 2026       Introduction: Type 2 Diabetes   Type 2 diabetes is a chronic illness that occurs when your body doesn't respond to the insulin your body creates, which causes your blood glucose levels to rise. Type 2 diabetes can be caused by many factors and is most common in adults but is starting to become more prevalent in younger individuals. Signs and symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes are increased thirst, urinating more frequently than usual, fatigue, cuts or wounds that take longer to heal and blurred vision. Many people with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms at all and may not even know they have it.   Diabetes is becoming increasingly more common worldwide. According to the WHO, there are 422 million adults who are living with diabetes, and most of them have Type 2 Diabetes. In the UK, approximately 4.3 million people are living with diabetes and around 90% of these people have type 2 diabetes. This means that there is a 1 in 15 chance you have type 2 diabetes, and this number is only going to increase as our population ages, and we continue to consume unhealthy foods and lead less active lifestyles. With these numbers increasing, we should be focusing more on Type 2 Diabetes.         Main Section   Screening and Monitoring Approaches   Screening allows us to identify individuals who may not have any signs or symptoms of diabetes. In the UK, people can get screened for Type 2 Diabetes through the NHS health check. The NHS offers a free health check to people between the ages of 40-74 years old every 5 years. They will ask about your health and risk factors that could lead to you having type 2 diabetes.   Testing for Type 2 Diabetes can be done by doing a blood test known as the HbA1c. This test will measure the glucose level in your blood over a period of 2-3 months. If your result comes back as 48 mmol/mol or above, you have been diagnosed with diabetes. Once a person has been diagnosed with diabetes, they can use this test to monitor their blood glucose levels on an ongoing basis.   If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you will be able to monitor your blood glucose levels by doing self-monitoring. You can do this by using a blood glucose meter, which requires you to prick your finger and place a drop of blood onto the device. There are also other forms of monitoring that can be used by continuous glucose monitors, which allow the person to check their levels throughout the day. You will also be able to have your weight, blood pressure and cholesterol monitored by your GP or practice nurse.   How Type 2 Diabetes is Managed   As mentioned before, type 2 diabetes can be managed by yourself and not only by your healthcare professionals. As previously stated, there are many lifestyle changes you can make to manage your blood glucose levels. By eating healthy and cutting out processed and sugary foods as well as increasing your physical activity, you can get your blood glucose levels down to a normal range. If you are overweight, then by losing weight you may be able to reduce your blood glucose levels without any medication.   If you have type 2 diabetes, you may need to take medication to help you manage your blood glucose levels. Usually, you will be prescribed Metformin, which is a medication that helps your body respond to insulin. You may also need to take other forms of tablets or injections depending on your blood glucose levels and progression of the disease.   Once you have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you will be asked to attend regular appointments with your GP or practice nurse. Usually you will be seen once or twice a year, and your condition will be assessed, and you can raise any concerns you may have. You are also advised to learn about your condition and know how to manage it yourself. By learning about your condition, you can help reduce your blood glucose levels and avoid further complications.   Consequences for Individuals and the Community   There are many consequences that can happen to an individual if they have type 2 diabetes. If your blood glucose levels are high, it can affect many organs within your body. One example is your feet, which can cause you to get ulcers on your feet, which may require you to have an amputation. Type 2 diabetes can cause blindness and kidney failure. People with diabetes are more at risk of suffering from cardiovascular disease and stroke.   Not only does this affect the person who has diabetes, but their family and community as well. If they are unable to work due to complications from their diabetes, they may lose their income. They may require assistance from family or friends to help them with day-to-day activities, which can take a toll on them. It can also put pressure on health and social care as they will require more support, which will cost more money to provide for them.   If you are able to manage your diabetes, you are unlikely to suffer from these complications and can continue to live your life as normal. This is why it is important to be aware of your condition and get help to manage it.   Health and Social Care Support Services   There are many different health and social care services that can support a person who has type 2 diabetes. Your local GP practice will offer you services such as regular check-ups from your GP, practice nurse and diabetes specialist nurse. They will refer you to courses that you can attend to learn about your condition, such as the DESMOND course.   They may also offer you referrals to different services that can support you with managing your diabetes. You can be referred to see a dietitian that can advise you on what you should and shouldn't eat. Podiatrists can help you with any foot issues that you may have. There are many other services that you can be referred to, such as opticians and pharmacists.   There are social care services that can support you if you are suffering from complications due to your diabetes. You may require support at home with your personal care, or you may need meals delivered to you. You may require home modifications to help you move around your house more safely. If you are feeling down or depressed about your condition, you can be referred to counselling and support groups that can help you cope with your condition.             Conclusion   Type 2 Diabetes is a chronic illness that affects many people in the UK and around the world. As explained earlier type 2 diabetes occurs when your body cannot use insulin properly. Many people that have type 2 diabetes don't have any symptoms and may not know that they have it until complications arise. There are ways to screen for type 2 diabetes and once you have been diagnosed you can learn how to monitor your blood glucose levels.   By making lifestyle changes and taking medication, you can manage your blood glucose levels. If you don't manage your diabetes, it can lead to complications such as cardiovascular disease and blindness, which can have negative impacts on the person and those around them. There are many health and social care services that can help you manage your condition. We need to focus on lowering the number of people who have type 2 diabetes and help those who do have it to live their lives to the best of their ability.       Reference   1. Diabetes UK. (2025) What is type 2 diabetes? Available at: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/type-2-diabetes (Accessed: 4 October 2026)   2. NHS. (2024) Type 2 diabetes. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetes/type-2-diabetes/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026)   3. World Health Organisation. (2023) Diabetes. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes (Accessed: 4 October 2026)   4. Diabetes UK. (2024) Diabetes: facts and stats. Available at: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/professionals/knowledge-and-research/diabetes-facts-and-stats (Accessed: 4 October 2026)   5. NHS England. (2025) NHS Health Check. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/health-checks/nhs-health-check/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026)   6. Mind. (2024) Living with a long-term physical condition and mental health. Available at: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/physical-health-and-mental-health/ (Accessed: 4 October 2026)