Diabetes

Currently more than 63,000 people in Lancashire have Type 2 diabetes (aged 17+) and more than 45,000 people in Lancashire are estimated to be at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The areas with the highest numbers of people living with Type 2 diabetes include Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool and East Lancashire.

Type 2 diabetes develops when your body can’t produce enough insulin, or when the insulin that is produced doesn’t work properly.

Diabetes can cause serious long-term health problems. It’s the most common cause of vision loss and blindness in people of working age. It is also responsible for most cases of kidney failure and lower limb amputation (other than accidents). People with diabetes are up to five times more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke than those without diabetes.

It’s essential to be diagnosed as early as possible because Type 2 diabetes will get progressively worse if left untreated.

Many more people have blood sugar levels above the normal range, but not high enough to be diagnosed as having diabetes. This is sometimes known as pre-diabetes. If your blood sugar level is above the normal range, your risk of developing full-blown diabetes is increased.

In Lancashire and South Cumbria there are services for those with diabetes and those who are pre-diabetic.