The Diabetic Clinic is provided by diabetes trained Practice Nurses in order to monitor the welfare and treatment of patients with diabetes. The Nurses are happy to see patients outside of the clinic in their other sessions.
It is important to note that hospital-based diabetic clinics have moved away from full annual checks to a problem-solving approach. Therefore, even if you have been to a hospital clinic for an annual review, they are unlikely to have performed the complete range of tests that are recommended for annual follow-up. We very strongly encourage you to come to the annual check regardless of whether you have been seen in hospital.
If appropriate, we will send written invitations to patients to attend an annual check-up. If, for any reason, you are unable to attend an appointment we would very much appreciate you contacting the surgery to cancel or re-arrange the appointment. Other patients may benefit from the released appointment.
For information on diabetes please see the Diabetes UK website.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when your blood glucose (sugar) is too high. Blood glucose comes from breaking down the food you eat, it is your main cellular energy source and acts as fuel for all the processes needed for life. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose get into your cells. If your body cannot make enough Insulin (people with Type 1 diabetes and some with Type 2), or your body cannot use the Insulin effectively (Type 2), your blood glucose will be too high.
Type 2 Diabetes mostly affects people from mid life onwards and is more common than Type 1 Diabetes. If Diabetes is not reversed or managed properly, blood glucose levels remain high and long term serious complications can occur, including:
- Nerve damage (neuropathy)
- Cardiovascular disease
- Stroke
- Kidney damage (diabetic nephropathy) or kidney failure
- Damage to the blood vessels of the retina (diabetic retinopathy), potentially leading to blindness
- Clouding of the normally clear lens of your eye (cataract)
- Feet problems caused by damaged nerves or poor blood flow that can lead to serious skin infections, ulcerations, and in some severe cases, amputation
- Erectile dysfunction
- Bone and joint problems
- Teeth and gum infections