What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition that causes a person’s blood sugar (glucose) levels to become too high as the body is either not making enough insulin or the insulin in the body isn’t working right, leaving the body unable to deal with blood sugar properly. There are different types of diabetes, the more commonly known of which are:

  • Type 1 diabetes
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Gestational diabetes[1]

More than 4.9 million people in the UK are living with some form of diabetes, with an estimated 850,000 people living with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.[2] The type of diabetes that a person has will affect what causes it and how the condition can be managed.

What causes diabetes?

The cause of diabetes can vary greatly between the different types of the condition, and sometimes there is no obvious cause of it.

Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune response where the body attacks the cells that make insulin, leaving the body unable to deal with glucose in the blood. For Type 2 diabetes, things like a person’s ethnicity, their weight, their genetics (e.g. if close family members also have the condition), and their lifestyle could all have an impact on their risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes.[3]

Who is affected by diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is most common in childhood and will usually develop before the age of 40. Individuals with Type 1 diabetes will not produce any insulin at all, so the glucose levels will build up in the blood. People with Type 2 diabetes do produce insulin but this is only a small amount and not enough for cells to allow glucose into the system again, leading to a build-up of glucose in the blood. Type 2 usually affects people over the age of 40.

Gestational diabetes can affect pregnant women and generally will go away again after the birth (although those who develop this condition are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes). It tends to occur during the second or third trimester.[4]

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

There are several symptoms that may be experienced with undiagnosed diabetes, including:

  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Extreme tiredness
  • Needing to pass urine more often than usual
  • Reoccurring thrush
  • Blurred vision
  • Slow healing wounds or cuts
  • A big increase in thirst[5]

If your loved one is experiencing any of the above symptoms, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they have diabetes but it’s definitely worth encouraging them to get checked out. Early diagnosis, treatment and good control can all help to reduce the chances of developing serious diabetic complications.

Living with diabetes

If your loved one has been recently diagnosed with diabetes, they may be feeling a little overwhelmed. It can take time and practice to get used to managing their condition and the medications required to keep them feeling at their best.

While they will have to make some lifestyle changes, with the right treatment there’s no reason why they can’t continue to live their lives well. There are a lot of myths around diabetes that lead people to think that they must be more restrictive than perhaps they need to be; Diabetes UK myth-busts some of the most common misunderstandings.

Practical aids to help with diabetes

There are various lifestyle changes that can help a person to stay on top of their condition but, depending on your loved one’s needs, they may also find certain aids and equipment useful to invest in.

Medical aids

Diabetes can involve a lot of medication management. If your loved one is struggling a little with it, there are medication management aids that could help. A pill organiser could help them to clearly see what medication they have to take and roughly the time of day that it needs to be taken (morning, afternoon, evening). If a reminder would help them, perhaps an automatic pill dispenser may be a better option as timers can be set to make sure their medication is taken at the right times.

Not all people with diabetes will need to regularly check their blood sugar but, if they do, having a blood glucose monitor could be incredibly useful as it measures, lances and analyses blood glucose all in one device.

Cuts and wounds can often take longer to heal in those who are living with diabetes,[6] so it’s a good idea to have a first aid kit to hand to help make sure that any minor injuries are cleaned and dressed promptly.

For those living with someone with diabetes, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on their blood pressure as high blood pressure could lead to serious complications such as a stroke or a heart attack.[7] If their blood pressure is at all an issue, it may be worth getting them a home blood pressure monitor, so they can monitor their readings and show them to their GP if there are any concerns.

Exercise aids

Keeping active is great for those living with diabetes as it could help to increase their insulin sensitivity and help to improve their cholesterol (among other benefits).[8] This doesn’t mean they need to go out and start training for a marathon, it just means that they might like to look for ways they can incorporate exercise into their daily life. This could mean taking regular walks or going swimming, perhaps. They may also like to try things like lifting weights for strength or using a pedal exerciser for a more gentle exercise option that can be done at home.

Sensory aids

Diabetes can affect a person’s eyesight, which makes it incredibly important that your loved one attends their regular eye checks and lets their doctor know if there are any changes to their vision.[9] If they are struggling with their vision (and their doctor is aware of this), there are sensory aids available that could help them in their day-to-day life, such as a magnifier or a big button phone that helps them better see what buttons are being pressed when dialling. You can even get devices such as the RNIB liquid level indicator, which beeps to alert them once the liquid in a cup has reached a certain level.

Further support and information

Getting diagnosed with diabetes is a life-changing moment for many, one that can bring with it a lot of emotion. Support from family members and friends is incredibly important but support from healthcare teams and GPs is also available.

Other sources of support include:

  • Diabetes UK The leading UK charity dedicated to helping those with diabetes. Their website has a wealth of information available and advice for all aspects of life with diabetes
  • Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation They fund research into better understanding diabetes in the hope to one day find a cure. They also run the Diabetes Wellness Network, which aims to bring those living with diabetes together
  • Junior Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) They fund research to help cure, treat and prevent Type 1 diabetes. Their website has a lot of advice and support for those living with Type 1
  • Gestational Diabetes UK There to support those who have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, offering tips and advice for managing the condition

[1] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetes/

[2] https://www.diabetes.org.uk/professionals/position-statements-reports/statistics

[3] https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-causes.html

[4] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gestational-diabetes/

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

[6] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetes/

[7] https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/blood-pressure

[8] https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/exercise

[9] https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/complications/retinopathy