Risk Factors
"I’m 59, and I’ve worked as a lorry driver for most of my life."
"How old are you and what is your occupation?"
“I don’t really notice anything different — I feel fine most of the time.”
“Have you noticed any changes in your health recently?”
Nerve damage often first presents this way.
“Do you have any numbness, tingling, or pain in your feet?”
A common cardiovascular risk factor often found in patients with Type 2 diabetes.
“Have you ever been told you have high blood pressure or heart disease?”
“I usually only see the GP if something’s wrong, so I wasn’t aware my blood sugar was high.”
“Have you had any recent blood tests or health checks?”
“My dad had diabetes, but no one else in my family has it.”
“Does anyone in your family have diabetes or other endocrine problems?”
“I get tired quickly after work, especially when driving long distances.”
“Have you been feeling more tired than usual?”
“I’ve noticed it’s harder to feel the ground when I walk barefoot.”
“Do you have any loss of sensation in your feet?”
“Sometimes I feel a tight or heavy sensation in my chest when I walk quickly or climb stairs.”
“Do you ever get chest discomfort or pain on exertion?”
“I had an eye test a couple of years ago, but they didn’t tell me to come back.”
“Have you had retinal screening for diabetes?”
“I usually grab food from motorway services or ready meals because of work.”
“Can you tell me about your typical diet?”
Increased urination, especially at night, can indicate hyperglycaemia.
“Do you notice any changes in how often you urinate?”
“My feet get small cuts or blisters that don’t heal quickly.”
“Do you have any slow-healing sores or ulcers on your feet?”
“I sometimes notice my legs feel weak or heavy after walking longer than usual, and I need to pause before continuing.”
“Do you get pain, cramping, or fatigue in your legs when walking?”
“No one has ever checked my kidney function, and I didn’t think it was necessary.”
“Have you had any urine or blood tests to assess your kidney function?”
“I don’t really exercise apart from playing football with my workmates once a week.”
“What physical activity do you do in a typical week?”
“My vision feels blurry when I’m driving or looking at paperwork.”
“Have you noticed any blurred vision or difficulty focusing?”
“I have swelling in my ankles occasionally, but I thought it was because of long drives.”
“Have you noticed any swelling in your legs or ankles?”
“I’ve had relatives who had strokes or heart problems, and I worry about my own health.”
“Is there a family history of heart attack or stroke?”
“I noticed a small sore on my foot that healed slowly, but nobody examined it properly.”
“Have your feet been examined recently by a healthcare professional?”
“I usually drink 4–5 pints on a Friday and sometimes borrow a cigarette from a mate.”
“Do you smoke or drink alcohol, and how much?”
“I’ve had a couple of infections recently — thrush and a small skin infection that took a while to heal.”
“Have you had any recurrent infections, like skin or urinary infections?”
“I’ve been told my eyes need checking — I sometimes have blurry spots.”
“Have you noticed any changes in your vision or eye problems?”
“I get unusually breathless doing tasks that I used to manage easily at work, and sometimes feel a bit dizzy afterward.”
“Have you noticed any shortness of breath or reduced exercise tolerance?”
“Sometimes I feel a bit drowsy or distracted on long drives, but I haven’t had any accidents.”
“Do you experience any symptoms while driving that could affect your safety?”