More than 12,000 adults in Sunderland have diabetes – and the number of cases is rising, according to latest figures.
Health bosses are highlighting the serious effects of the condition, which affects 4.3 per cent of the city's population, compared to 4.1 per cent nationally.
People who are overweight, have a family history of diabetes or developed it during preg
nancy are more at risk of getting the condition.
Joanne Berry is one of two diabetes nurse specialists with Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust.
She said: "It is important that people should understand the serious impact that diabetes can have and, where possible, how to avoid or delay diabetes and its complications.
"Early diagnosis is also essential to help those who may have developed the condition."
Support for patients in Sunderland includes special clinics, held at Grindon Lane Primary Care Centre five times a week, which offers advice and help.
About 2.35million people in England are thought to have diabetes, which is predicted to grow to more than 2.5million by 2010.
Diabetes is a condition in which levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood become too high.
Is Type 1 diabetes seasonal?It can lead to problems with the body's organs, particularly the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and blood vessels.
Age is also a factor – Type 1 diabetes tends to be diagnosed in childhood or among young adults but cases of Type 2 increase steadily after the age of 45.
Being obese also increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes and levels of adult obesity in Sunderland are significantly higher than the national average.
Joanne said: "At present, Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented.
"The environmental triggers that are thought to generate the process that results in the destruction of the body's insulin-producing cells are still under investigation.
"However, there is strong medical evidence to suggest that it is possible to prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes from occuring by looking at key lifestyle improvements in relation to weight, diet and exercise, which is why having an awareness of the signs and symptoms of diabetes is so important."
In addition to clinics, specialist nurses also give advice to GPs and practice nurses, as well as residential and nursing homes.
They also deliver group education session to people who have been newly diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
