What is Type 2 diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition where the amount of glucose in your blood is too high because your body can’t use it properly.

Glucose comes from digesting carbohydrates from various kinds of food and drink including starchy foods such as breads, potatoes and rice, fruit, some dairy products, sugar and other sweet foods. Your liver also produces glucose. Your pancreas produces insulin, which helps get the glucose into your body’s cells, where it is used for energy.

But in Type 2 diabetes, the amount of insulin produced is not enough or does not work properly and so glucose levels build up in your blood. Too much glucose in your blood can damage blood vessels, nerves and lead to blindness.

The main symptoms of diabetes include:

• Passing urine frequently
• Increased thirst
• Extreme tiredness
• (Sometimes) unexplained weight loss

• Genital itching or recurrent episodes of thrush
• Slow healing of wounds
• Blurred vision

If you have any of these symptoms you should immediately see a doctor.

What does ‘other ethnic group’ mean?

If you are of any race in the list below, you need to answer "Other" to this question. If you are still unsure, you should also answer "Other". This is because if you are of any ethnic background your risk score will increase, and it is better to be cautious and answer "Other" now.

Priti, for example, has an Indian ethnic background, so she answered "Other".

What do we mean by a ‘close relative’?

In terms of how it affects your risk of Type 2 diabetes, a ‘close relative’ is defined as any of the following:

• Parent
• Brother
• Sister
• Child

If any of those have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, you need to answer “Yes” to this question.

Dilip, for example, had grandparents who had Type 2 diabetes - but as grandparents are not on the list above, he was right to answer "No" to this question.

Why is your waist circumference important?

Fat that is stored around your middle is a risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetes. Not only that, it’s also closely linked with health problems such as coronary heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and some cancers.

What is Body Mass Index?

Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of body fat in adults. It is measured by dividing your weight (in kilos) by your height (in metres) squared. Your BMI score gives you a good indication of what weight range you are in. These range from "Underweight" to "Morbidly Obese". The higher your weight range, the more points will be added to your diabetes Risk Score.

It is important to remember that the BMI measure can be inaccurate at times for people who have a lot of lean muscle such as rugby players or weight lifters. You can discuss your BMI with a member of your healthcare team if you think this might apply to you.

What is high blood pressure?

If your blood vessels are narrowed or clogged, extra strain is put on your heart as it has to work harder to pump blood round your body.

High blood pressure usually has no signs or symptoms, so the only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have yours measured.

For most people, there will be no single cause for their high blood pressure. But we do know that your lifestyle can affect your risk of developing it. You are at a higher risk if:

• you eat too much salt
• you don’t eat enough fruit and vegetables
• you are not active enough
• you are overweight
• you drink too much alcohol
• you are a smoker

High blood pressure can lead to diabetes, heart attack, stroke or kidney failure.