World Diabetes Day
Monday 14th November has been declared as World Diabetes Day, a day to increase awareness for research and education into finding a cure for Diabetes. Winserve Care Services have service users who live with Diabetes, with our staff trained in caring for those individuals and their requirements.
What is Diabetes?
Typically, your body breaks food down into glucose (sugar) and releases that into your bloodstream. This signals for the pancreas to release insulin to give your body energy. Diabetes is when your body doesn’t release enough insulin or destroys the insulin, meaning that too much glucose remains in your bloodstream. There are 2 main types of Diabetes, the table below follows the NHS guidance on both types of Diabetes:
How can I prevent Diabetes?
Type 1
There is no known method of preventing type 1 diabetes. Therefore, awareness days are so pivotal, as they promote funding in researching a treatment for Diabetes. Although there is no way of preventing type 1, it can be treated and managed by:
A healthy lifestyle – From exercising to eating a healthy, balanced diet, making changes to your lifestyle can affect how your body feels in a positive way.
Treatments – Insulin is the primary treatment to those with Diabetes, as it is what the body is lacking. There are two different types of insulin:
Basal insulin is to be taken once/twice a day in between meals or overnight. This should keep the blood glucose level stable during longer periods.
Bolus insulin is a fast-acting insulin that is taken before a meal or snack. This helps to reduce the increase in blood glucose caused by eating/drinking.
Blood Glucose levels – If glucose levels are not managed, they can cause immediate complications like Hypoglycaemia attacks. These happen when the blood glucose level is too low. To reduce the risk of a hypo attack you should not:
Delay meals
Lack carbohydrates in your meal
Take too much insulin
Drink alcohol on an empty stomach
To treat a hypo attack, you should consume something sugary like jelly babies, a sugary drink or glucose sweets.
Type 2
Unlike type 1, type 2 Diabetes can be prevented. Research shows that to lower the risk of developing type 2, you should live a healthier lifestyle.
Losing weight – If you are an unhealthy weight, you massively increase the risk of developing Diabetes. To avoid this, losing around 5-7% of your starting weight and keeping it off either delays or prevents the chance of developing type 2.
Exercise – Getting around 30 minutes of daily, physical activities can reduce your risk. You could contact your GP for support on what exercises are best for you.
Eat healthier – Eating smaller portions reduces the number of calories you consume, thus helping in your weight loss journey. Moreover, you should choose fewer fatty foods and drink more water instead of sweet drinks.
Further reading
https://www.england.nhs.uk/diabetes/
https://www.who.int/health-topics/diabetes#tab=tab_1
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/types-of-diabetes/type-1
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/type-1-diabetes/managing-blood-glucose-levels/hypoglycaemia-hypos/
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-type-2-diabetes