World Diabetes Day
This year World Diabetes Day falls on the 14th November and is raising awareness about diabetes by making sure more people know the symptoms, risks and ways we can prevent diabetes.
What is Diabetes?
It’s a lifelong condition that causes blood sugar levels to become too high when your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or when the insulin doesn’t work. With the right medication, diet and exercise many people can manage their condition and lead healthy lives. There are 2 types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes – one’s immune system attacks the cells which produce insulin.
- Type 2 diabetes – one’s body doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t react to insulin. Approximately 90% of all adults with diabetes have type 2.
Some women may develop ‘gestational diabetes’ during pregnancy, click here to find out more.
If you are experiencing the main symptoms of diabetes it’s recommended that you visit your GP. These include:
- Feeling very thirsty.
- Peeing more frequently, especially at night.
- Frequent episodes of thrush.
- Weight/muscle loss.
- Slow healing cuts or wounds.
Click here to test your diabetes knowledge and learn more about the condition.
Can diabetes be prevented?
There are no lifestyle changes which lower the risk of developing type 1 diabetes, but you can reduce your risk of developing type 2 through eating healthier and maintaining a healthy body weight.
Click here to take this quick online test and see if you’re at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
What is happening on World Diabetes Day?
This national event is all about raising awareness around the risks, prevention and management of diabetes. 1 in 2 adults with diabetes remaining undiagnosed, so it’s important that people are taking charge of their health.
The theme for this year is ‘The Nurse and Diabetes’, highlighting the incredible work nurses do. Nurses play a key role in diagnosing diabetes, which if done early can ensure a prompt treatment. They also provide emotional support by teaching people how to manage their condition and make people aware of the risks of type 2 diabetes.
Click here to find out more about why nurses are integral to diabetes healthcare.
How can I get involved?
One of the best ways to make a difference is to educate yourself and others about the risks and symptoms of diabetes, as the more people who are aware the more cases can be prevented.
If you are a health professional looking to support those with diabetes, click here to access a free online course titled ‘The Role of the Diabetes Educator’.
There are lots of other ways to get involved, such as exercising in blue, shining blue lights in your home or workplace, posting a blue circle selfie and plenty more! Click here for more ideas.
Support from CCH:
We can support you with living a healthy lifestyle which can help prevent type 2 diabetes and manage the condition. Click here to find out more about our services which range from helping you quit smoking to exercising safely.
There’s lots of useful tips on how to be healthy on our website such as how to sleep better and exercising regularly. Click here to find out more
Here are some quick links:
Click here to visit the World Diabetes Day website.
Click here to find out more information about diabetes.
Click here to find out how you can reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes