Your guide to diabetes

What is diabetes?

Diabetes Mellitus is a common disorder that affects 2-3 people in every 100 of the population.  There are approximately 9000 people with diabetes in Tayside.  There are two types of diabetes:

• Type 1 diabetes
• Type 2 diabetes  

What happens in diabetes?

• Normally a chemical (or hormone) called insulin controls the levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood.
• Glucose comes in fast and slow acting forms from the food we eat
• Fast acting or 'sugary' foods include sweets, cakes and non-diet drinks
• Slow acting or 'starchy' (carbohydrate) foods include bread, pasta or potatoes. These are digested by the body and are converted into glucose.
• I nsulin is produced in the Pancreas, a gland that lies behind the stomach. Insulin allows glucose to move into muscles and the liver where it can be used to provide energy.
• Normally the body can produce enough insulin to keep the amount of glucose in the blood under control.
• Diabetes develops when there is a lack of (or no) insulin (Type 1) or when the bosy does not respond properly to the insulin that is produced (Type 2). This causes blood glucose levels to become too high.
• Once the amount of glucose in the blood reaches a certain level, it then spills over into the urine. 

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

The symptoms of diabetes can vary in severity and may develop quickly or over a longer period of time.  The main ones are:

• thirst and a dry mouth
• passing a large amount of urine
• weight loss
• tiredness
• thrush
• blurring of vision

Most of the symptoms improve quickly after treatment to lower the blood glucose has been started. Blurring of vision may take several weeks or months to clear completely.

Some useful information for people with diabetes

Special 'diabetic foods'

• These are not advised. Often they are expensive and may cause diarrhoea.

Prescriptions

• These are free of charge if you are on tablets or insulin, but not if you are on diet alone.  
• Complete a prescription exemption form that is obtainable from your GP or the DHS.

Identification cards are available from the diabetes centre

Equipment

• Blood glucose meters and finger-pricking devices are available from the Diabetes Clinic.

The following items are available on prescription:

• blood monitoring lancets and strips
• most insulin pen devices
• pen needles
• safe clip
• urine testing strips

Driving

• No matter how your diabetes is treated, you are legally obliged to inform your insurance company. Otherwise your driving insurance may not be valid.
• You also need to inform the DVLA if your diabetes is treated with tablets or inuslin.  

Diabetes UK

• Diabetes UK can provide advice on all aspects of diabetes and provide a voice for everyone living with diabetes
• Application forms to join Diabetes UK are available via the hospital diabetes clinics or Diabetes Specialist Nurses
• There are local Diabetes UK branches in Dundee, Angus and Perth & Kinross
• Diabetes UK is at 10 Parkway, London NW1 7AA, Tel 020 7424 1020 and at 34 West George St, Glasgow G2 1DA, Tel 0141 332 2700
• Diabetes UK Careline is a confidential information service, Tel 020 7424 1030
• You can find Diabetes UK on the internet at www.diabetes.org.uk

Smoking

• Smoking significantly increases the risk of developing problems associated with diabetes.
• This is why all people with diabetes are advised to stop smoking.