Your type of diabetes is quite common and is also known as the "mild kind of diabetes". Often found in middle age and also often when you are over weight! Though not always so, you may be quite slim in which case you won't need to reduce weight just to avoid sugar, starchy and rich food and try to eat more fibre in your diet.

It means that your body can no longer use all the sugar that is produced from the food that you eat and so it builds up in your blood stream. All the food that you eat is eventually turned into a form of sugar and when there is too much in your body it tries to get rid of it in the urine.

At first you may be feeling tired and also thirsty, this is caused by having too much sugar in your blood which you must get rid of by eating less or correctly, then you will start to feel much better than you have done for ages and be able to lead a perfectly normal life controlling the level of sugar in your blood by diet alone or by diet and with the help of a diabetic pill.

You can get rid of all the excess sugar from your blood by EATING LESS and/or by EATING A CORRECT DIET which will be worked out for you by an expert, a dietician with whom we can make an appointment for you to see. How can you tell if you are eating too much sugar? Because your body will try to get rid of it through your urine and you can test your urine to see if there is any sugar there with the testing sticks that your Doctor has given you. We can get a more accurate level of sugar in your blood by occasionally testing a sample of your blood.

Meanwhile, before you get your diet from the dietician, here are some suggestions for you.

To test your urine

To begin with you will probably have to test your urine every day, before meals (three times a day). Later you may be able to reduce this to once or twice a week, at varying times.

First empty your bladder completely. 20 mins later take a sample of urine and test with the testing sticks you have been given as per the instruction on the bottle. Write it down on the chart. This will tell you if you have eaten too much and/or the wrong kinds of food as it will show up as sugar in your urine. You must try to keep your urine clear of any sugar.

Check your feet

Look at your feet every day. Wash and dry them carefully (don't rub them hard with a towel, dry gently). Cut your nails carefully, straight across and not too short. If you have ingrowing toe nails or other problems, go to a chiropodist. Wear comfortable shoes, well fitting but not too hard a leather. If new, break them in slowly, and if they rub, don't wear them.

Your eyes

Your eyes should be checked every year at the opticians, we will give you a form to take along.

Smoking

If you smoke, please stop.

We will give you a check at least every year at our Diabetic clinic at the surgery. Please make sure you come when we send you your letter, and if you can't make it please let us know.

Once your diabetes is under control you should be able to lead a much healthier life. Eating a well balanced diet and hopefully a better one than your friends. Take plenty of exercise. If you have any problems, come and see me or phone.

Driving

Don't forget to inform the licensing authority and your insurance company that you have diabetes - this should not result in any additional loading, but it is a safeguard in case of an accident.