Diabetes

Diabetes is a long-term condition caused by too much glucose, a type of sugar, in the blood.

Some 2,300 people in Norfolk are diagnosed with diabetes each year, yet thanks to lifestyle changes and/or medication, they can carry on with their normal lives.

In total, about 31,000 people in Norfolk (excluding Great Yarmouth and Waveney) have diabetes, and that number is constantly rising.

There are two types of diabetes:

Type 1 is less common, and makes up about 10 per cent of all cases nationally. It develops if the body cannot produce any insulin. This is a hormone which regulates the amount of glucose (sugar) in the cells of the body.

Type 2 develops when the body can still make some insulin, but not enough, or when the insulin does not work properly. It accounts for about 90 per cent of people with diabetes and is often linked with other conditions, such as obesity or high cholesterol.

Dr Thomson who is a GP based in Diss said: "Everyone is generally less active than they used to be, and we tend to do less manual work as a society now. The increase in Type 2 diabetes is due to a combination of less activity, possibly with greater availability of food and a resulting increase in obesity.

Freephone helpline

"But diabetes can be treated with diet, exercise, and medication. We have patients in their 90s with diabetes. It is not all doom and gloom - far from it."

A freephone helpline is available for people who have diabetes. The line is manned by a group of diabetes patients, who have been trained to act as patient advisors. They do not give emergency or medical advice, but offer support to others in the same situation.

Anyone who has diabetes is welcome to call the line on 0800 0320 087.

More information

A list of local services and self-help groups can be found on the HERON website

For further information on diabetes visit the NHS Choices website.