Management of Diabetes

Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high.

Symptoms of diabetes

Are you worried that you, your child or someone you know may have diabetes? Having some diabetes symptoms doesn’t mean you definitely have the condition, but you should always contact your GP or nurse just to make sure.

Getting diagnosed and the right treatment are vital and can reduce the chances of developing serious complications.

During the coronavirus pandemic, it’s still really important to see a healthcare professional if you notice any of these signs. They will be able to do a blood test to find out if you have diabetes.

Common diabetes symptoms

  • Going to the toilet a lot, especially at night.
  • Being really thirsty.
  • Feeling more tired than usual.
  • Losing weight without trying to.
  • Genital itching or thrush.
  • Cuts and wounds take longer to heal.
  • Blurred eyesight
  • Increased hunger.

These symptoms can affect anyone – adult or child.

What are the most common symptoms?

No individual is the same. The symptoms you experience won’t exactly match those of another person. However, the most common symptoms experienced by many people with diabetes are increased thirst, increased urination, feeling tired and losing weight.  

Find out more about diabetes here:

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/diabetes-symptoms

There are 2 main types of diabetes:

Type 2 diabetes is far more common than type 1. In the UK, around 90% of all adults with diabetes have type 2.

During pregnancy, some women have such high levels of blood glucose that their body is unable to produce enough insulin to absorb it all. This is known as gestational diabetes. This often resolves once your baby is born.You will be monitored closely by the hospital doctors and nurses/midwives.

Pre Diabetes – at risk of developing diabetes.

You may have just found out that you’re at risk of type 2 diabetes after using the Know Your Risk tool or after seeing your GP or nurse for a blood test or an NHS Health Check. 

Or you may just think you’re at risk because you have some of the risk factors, but you’re not too sure what it actually means for you. 

This can all be pretty confusing, please use the link below for more information.

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/preventing-type-2-diabetes/what-does-it-mean-if-im-at-risk

The NHS Diabetes prevention programme can offer you free support. You can find out more information here and sign up for the free service:

https://preventing-diabetes.co.uk/Know-your-risk-dtc/

https://www.lwtcsupport.co.uk/

Treatment options for Diabetes

There are there are a number of different medicines to help manage and treat your diabetes. Everyone is different, so treatment will vary depending on your own individual needs.

If you have type 1 diabetes, you’ll need to use insulin to treat your diabetes. You take the insulin by injection or by using a pump. 

If you have Type 2 diabetes, you may have to use insulin or tablets, though you might initially be able to treat your diabetes by eating well and moving more. 

If you have another type of diabetes, your treatment options may be different. Speak to your healthcare professional if you are unsure.

Your GP, nurse or a healthcare professional can help you find the right diabetes treatment plan to suit you and your lifestyle.

Click on this link: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/diabetes-treatments

Complications of diabetes

High blood sugar levels can seriously damage parts of your body, including your feet and your eyes. These are called diabetes complications. But you can take action to prevent or delay many of these side effects of diabetes. If you are worried about any of the complications of diabetes please contact the surgery. For more information please click on the link below. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/complications

What care can you expect?

We are a very experienced team of doctors and nurses, as well as offer an appointment with a community diabetic nurse specialist. During Covid there have been changes to our appointments to try and keep you and our staff safe, We continue to offer face to face appointments as well as telephone appointments.

If you have not been contacted for a review and are experiencing problems, please call the practice. Further information about diabetes and what care to expect please click the link below.

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/care-to-expect

Diabetes Education

There are many ways in which you can help manage your diabetes. Attending structured education is one very important way to help yourself manage your diabetes.

DESMOND is a structured group education programme designed to increase an individual’s knowledge of type 2 diabetes but also encourage them to develop the skills to help effectively self-manage the condition. The course can be accessed by individuals that have newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes but also those that have established type 2 diabetes.

DESMOND is suitable for anyone with type 2 diabetes, not just those newly diagnosed. Participants are welcome to attend regardless of when they received a diagnosis. Participants can retained a DESMOND course at any time. DESMOND has been shown to be effective for up to 12 months after course attendance, but participants are welcome to re-attend a course at any time. Each course can be tailored to the group.

Although DESMOND is a set curriculum, there are opportunities to tailor the content to the participants within the group, including discussions around their diabetes medications and food choices. It’s not just about food. DESMOND courses cover a wide range of content, including thoughts and feelings around diabetes what diabetes is, medications, food and activity, long-term complications, and how diabetes can be monitored. Ongoing support is available.

DESMOND courses include 6 hours of structured education, but there are some further support options offered to participants who would like to access them. These include MyDESMOND (an online version of the course), and Recap Health (an online information prescription service).

Your doctor or nurse or health care professional can refer you to a local group, or you can self refer via phone or email: Telephone: 01623 484837 Email: desmondreferrals@nottshc.nhs.uk

Here is a link to the most recent Desmond newsletter, full of really useful information about diabetes:

https://nottsccg.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Patient-Support-Leaflet-December-21.pdf

Keeping active

Exercise is an important part of managing your blood sugars, and has been shown to benefit both mental and physical health, there is plenty of support available, here are a few links you may wish to explore:

https://weareundefeatable.co.uk/about-us

One You Website: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/get-active/

Parkrun: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/ 

Diabetes leaflets

A selection of leaflets can be accessed here.

Diabetes Support Group

We are a group of Health Professionals who work with people living with Diabetes. We are keen to explore any issues you face and offer advice and support.

Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed or isolated? Or would you welcome an opportunity to talk to others over a cup of tea or coffee? Well, this might be the place for you!

Click here for more details.