Diabetes Awareness Week 2015 - 14-20 June

Managing your Diabetes well

WHAT IS DIABETES?.....

Diabetes is a common health condition caused by either inadequate or absent levels of the hormone insulin, which then results in high levels of glucose in the blood.

Did you know?.....

The word diabetes is derived from Greek and means “a siphoning of water through the body”

Types of Diabetes

Type 1 – This develops when the insulin-producing cells have been destroyed by the body’s immune system and the body is therefore unable to produce any insulin. It usually appears before the age of 40, especially in childhood and may be triggered by a viral or other type of infection.

Type 2 – This develops when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or when the insulin that it does produce doesn’t work properly. It usually appears in people over 40, though in certain ethnic groups, it can appear from the age of 25. It is becoming increasingly common in children and young people of all ethnicities.

This is treated with a healthy diet and regular physical activity, but medication and/or insulin is often required.

You are more at risk of Type 2 diabetes if:

  • You’re overweight or have a high Body Mass Index (BMI)
  • You have a large waist (more than 80cm/31.5 inches in women, 94 cm/37 inches in men or 90cm/35 inchesin South Asian men)
  • You’re from an African-Caribbean, Black African, Chinese or South Asian background and over 25
  • You’re from another ethnic background and over 40
  • You have a parent, brother or sister with diabetes
  • You have ever had high blood pressure, a heart attack or a stroke
  • You have a history of polycystic ovaries, gestational diabetes or have given birth to a baby over 10 pounds/4.5kg
  • You suffer from schizophrenia, bipolar illness or depression, or you are taking anti-psychotic medication

Symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes

  • Passing urine frequently (especially at night)
  • Increased thirst
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Slow healing of wounds and blurred vision

For food, recipe, lifestyle advice and useful apps, the Diabetes UK website has a wealth of information;

Food and recipes:

Creating and maintaining a healthy lifestyle:

Monitoring your Diabetes:

Change4Life campaign:

15 healthcare essentials for those with Diabetes:

Diabetes UK Tracker app:

Diabetes UK Publications app:

Type 2 Diabetes and me – online learning for those newly diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes who would like further information on managing their condition successfully:

Peer support:

If you have a family history of diabetes or are concerned regarding any symptoms that you feel may be linked, Occupational Health are running Mini Health M.O.T lifestyle appointments. A urine test is an optional part of this mini-health MOT which can identify diabetes. If you’d like to put your mind at rest, just give us a quick ring on ext 3187 to arrange an appointment.

If you feel that your health may be affecting your work please speak to your line manager and ask for a referral to Occupational Health.