Breaking the stigma around diabetes

Diabetes is a condition that affects 5.8 million people in the UK as of 2024. 

With different types of diabetes, it is important that people know the difference between the two. 

This November is diabetes awareness month, this year the focus is on breaking the stigma. 

Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar levels are to high due to a lack of insulin in the body. 

Type 1 diabetes is where the body is not capable of producing insulin, whereas type 2 is high blood sugar caused by insulin resistance.

Insulin resistance is where the body is producing insulin but it is not able to do its job. 

90% of those with diabetes in the UK suffer with Type 2 and another 8% with Type 1.

While type 2 can be managed through lifestyle changes like staying active and eating a healthy balanced diet, type 1 is only treatable with the use of insulin. 

Managing the symptoms of diabetes is incredibly important to prevent potential complications people with diabetes can be predisposed to. 

If left untreated for a long period of time, high glucose levels in your blood can cause subsequent problems in the body, but with the right care plan people can live a normal healthy life. 

The process to a diagnosis has become much better over the last ten years, diabetes is diagnosed from a blood test, if there are no symptoms it can go undiagnosed. 

But what are some of the common symptoms? 

Symptoms can depend on the type of diabetes you have, but some of the most common symptoms can include:

• Going to the toilet a lot
• Being excessively thirsty
• Feeling more tired than usual
• Cuts and wounds taking longer to heal 
• Blurred vision

The earlier a diagnosis can come the better, this helps prevent risks of further complications.

Once diagnosed diabetes can be managed and treated, but how does this change when children are diagnosed? 

Carl Campion went into detail, explaining how parents of children with type 1 diabetes have to think about things other parents may not think twice about. 

He spoke about how you can’t stop children from wanting to run around and play but for children with type 1 diabetes they have to be more prepared, giving them a sugary snack or drink before beginning to play. 

This is just the start of how a parents’ responsibilities can grow even more when their children have diabetes. 

Diabetes is a condition that requires a round the clock care plan. 

Anyone can be diagnosed with the condition at any time, while people can be predisposed to it, its important to keep an active, healthy lifestyle and go to regular health checks to minimise the risk.