Did you know?
✓ There are two main types
of diabetes – type 1 and type 2
✓ Signs are tiredness, excess
thirst, urinating a lot, blurry
vision and weight loss
✓ Regular testing, exercise
and a healthy diet are very
important
✓ Good blood glucose control
helps put you in control
For more about the range of free diabetes
information booklets, please log on to:
06645186001
www.accu-chek.co.uk
www.accu-chek.ie
or call the Accu-Chek Customer Careline:
0800 701000 (UK)
1 800 709600 (ROI)
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Essential advice for people
with diabetes from Accu-Chek
The inside
story on
diabetes
What is diabetes?
...just knowing you have diabetes
isn’t enough – you have to really
understand what it means.
Angus, 39
Diabetes, or diabetes mellitus to give
causes it, we do know that type 2 can
its full name, is where the body loses
be linked to being overweight, inactive
the ability to control blood glucose
and can also be more common in
properly. There are two main types of
certain ethnic groups.
diabetes, type 1 and type 2. People get
This booklet will help introduce you
diabetes for many different reasons
to some of the key topics, and advise
and it can affect anyone, at any age.
you on the day-to-day realities
Although no-one really knows what
of living with diabetes.
What’s it all about?
Glucose is a vital energy source for
If you DO have diabetes, either your
your body, but high levels over long
pancreas is unable to produce any, or
periods can damage tissues and
enough, insulin to meet your needs,
organs. This is why your body
or your body is responding poorly
keeps tight control over its
to the insulin you have.
blood glucose levels – unless you
have diabetes.
What are the main symptoms?
Extreme tiredness
In people who DON’T have diabetes,
when food is digested glucose is
absorbed into the bloodstream and
the levels rise. To keep everything in
check a gland beneath the stomach,
called the pancreas, responds by
Increased
thirst
Passing large
quantities
of urine
Blurred vision
producing just enough insulin to
keep your blood glucose levels
Weight loss
under control.
If you haven’t been diagnosed with diabetes but
are experiencing all of the above symptoms, make
an early appointment to see your doctor.
Know your diabetes types
...at first it feels like a lot of
information, but there’s a lot
of help about and it
gets easier.
Patrick, 55
Type 1
Type 2
Type 1 diabetes is where your pancreas
In type 2 diabetes your pancreas is still making
stops producing any insulin at all. This type
insulin, but either there isn’t enough to meet
of diabetes usually starts earlier in life
your body’s needs, or the insulin it produces
and is more common in younger
is not used properly. This type of diabetes
people. Treatments involve
usually starts later in life. It can sometimes be
changes to what you eat, and taking
controlled with exercise and simple changes
insulin. Insulin is either given with an
to the type of food you eat. If a healthy diet
injection pen or using an insulin
isn’t enough to control your blood glucose
pump. This bypasses the acids in
level (your dietician will advise you on this),
your stomach, which would destroy
you may be prescribed tablets, or insulin.
the insulin if you took it by mouth.
You will, however, still need to stick to
healthy eating.
Checking up on your diabetes
Building a picture of what your
Get the low-down on hypos
body’s doing is an important part of
managing your diabetes.
Hypos mean your blood glucose has fallen
very low, usually below 4mmol/L. It can be
Regular testing will tell you if your
blood glucose is high or low and will
help you decide what action to take
to keep it controlled.
Blood glucose tests show the levels of glucose
in your blood and there are two main types.
Finger-prick tests you do yourself using
fixed by quickly eating something to boost
your glucose levels.
To find out more, call the Accu-Chek
Customer Careline for our free ‘Get
the low-down on hypos’ booklet.
Do not ignore the signs of a hypo,
it won’t go away and can lead to
more urgent problems.
a hand-held blood glucose meter
system. They give a short-term
picture of what’s happening and
allow you to act quickly if
you get a ‘hypo’.
HbA1C tests are done by your
doctor or nurse and are a long-term measure
of your diabetes control.
Ketone tests alert you to a dangerous
condition called ‘diabetic ketoacidosis’ (DKA).*
Ketones are highly toxic and mean your body
has switched to an emergency energy source
because it hasn’t enough insulin to use the
glucose in your body.
If you find your blood glucose is over 15mmol/L,
If your HbA1C reading is well controlled, you
or you feel ill, test for ketones in your urine with
can reduce your chances of diabetes-related
a kit from your pharmacy – if positive, contact
problems later in life.
your doctor or nurse immediately for advice.
*Usually only occurs in type 1 diabetes.
How to treat diabetes
Type 2 diabetes
There are several types of medications to treat
patients with type 2 diabetes. They work in
different ways and some may be used together
to give you better control. They are usually
tablets but some may be injections.
Tablets that cause you to produce more insulin:
• Sulphonylureas
• Meglitinides
• DPP-4 inhibitors (gliptins)
Tablets that help your insulin
work harder:
• Biguanides
• Thiazolidinediones (glitazones)
Tablets that slow glucose entering
your body after eating:
• Alpha-glucoside inhibitors e.g.
acarbose
Injections that causes you to produce more
insulin and helps with weight loss:
• GLP-1 analogues
Human insulin and insulin analogues are
most commonly used today.
You can either inject them or use an
insulin pump.
There are four main types of insulin:
• Rapid-acting insulin works very fast and can
control the glucose peak for a meal
• Short-acting insulin works less quickly and
can last between 4-8 hours
• Medium and long-acting insulin provides the
background level needed between meals
• Mixed insulins are combinations of short and
medium acting
Insulin pump therapy
An insulin pump acts like your
pancreas giving you continuous
insulin during the day and night.
It is a small device (about the size of a
mobile phone) attached to you by a thin
plastic tube under your skin.
Type 1 and some
type 2 diabetes
For some people it can help to improve
their control and prevent hypos.
Insulin can be used as a substitute
for your body’s own insulin
production.
It may be made in the lab
to match natural human
insulin or modified
versions called analogues.
It can be made from animal
insulin (usually pork but
occasionally beef).
You will need to learn how to adjust this
dose depending on your blood glucose
level, diet and activity.
Insulin jet
This allows you to inject insulin without
using a needle.
The jet forces a dose of insulin out at a very
high speed and it goes through your skin.
For more information please visit www.nhs.co.uk
How do blood glucose tests help?
...I used to ignore my test
results, but not any more – my
control’s improved and I feel
loads better.
Emma, 31
Although diabetes is a naturally progressive
Remember, if you find your fingertips get sore
condition, long periods with high blood glucose
from regular testing, there could be another way.
are linked with various health problems later in
Alternative Site Testing (AST) allows you to use
life, like poor vision,
heart disease and
kidney problems.
By keeping your blood glucose
other parts of your body to check-up on
your blood glucose, which means you
could give your fingertips a
well-deserved rest.
under control you can reduce the
risk of getting these diabetes
For a free copy of
complications. That’s why it’s
the AST booklet, ‘Give your
vitally important you measure
fingertips a rest from testing’,
your levels frequently and
call the Accu-Chek Customer
act on the results.
Careline number on the back cover.
Your health and diabetes
Whether you’re going on holiday or are ill in
bed, there are some health matters that people
with diabetes need to take extra care with.
Below is a guide to some of the key issues
you may face, how they affect your diabetes
and what to do about it.
Health
matter
Effect on
your
diabetes
Dose adjustment
and extra testing
needed*
Specific advice
Hormone
Replacement
Therapy
Slight
Yes
Consult your healthcare professional
Family planning
Caution
Yes
The contraceptive pill doesn’t suit all women with
diabetes. It is not suitable if:
- you are older, smoke or are overweight
- you have high blood pressure, heart, circulation or
blood-clotting problems
Speak to your doctor or nurse about alternatives
Vaccines &
immunisations
Slight
Yes
Some travel destinations may require specialist
vaccines and should be checked by your doctor
Flu jabs
Slight
Yes (for a few days)
Strongly recommended for people with diabetes
Illness
Caution
Yes
DO NOT stop taking your medication if you’re
unwell with flu, a cold or fever
If you are being sick and unable to keep your
medicines down, then contact your doctor or
nurse immediately
Heart disease
Slight
No
Diabetes is linked to a greater risk of developing
heart disease. Eat healthily and exercise regularly.
Speak to your dietician for advice
Dental
Caution
Seek advice from
your doctor or nurse
Always inform your dentist that you have diabetes
*Consult your doctor or nurse before making adjustments to your treatment.
Getting on with your life
...I’ve never been one to let
things hold me back, it’s just
the way I approach things.
John, 61
Employment
Your rights
Diabetes doesn’t have to affect your work.
If you’re free from any complications of diabetes
and not being treated with insulin, most jobs are
possible. However, if you do take insulin some
high-risk professions are unsuitable, for
example, emergency services, armed forces
and passenger transport.
Caring for your diabetes is a joint responsibility
between you and your diabetes healthcare
team. You should decide together an
individual care plan. You should include:
Remember to be honest with your employer
when asked about your health.
This helps in an emergency and
can avoid awkward questions at
a later date.
If your concealment leads to
the harm of others you may
also face prosecution.
– Diabetes education and advice on your diet
– Information on types of treatment
– Advice on monitoring your blood
glucose control
– Regular checks on your general health
(blood pressure, blood lipids, eyes,
feet and kidneys)
– Treatment for special problems and
in an emergency
– How often you should see your
nurse or doctor
If you’re unhappy with your level of care,
contact Diabetes UK (0845 120 2960),
or The Diabetes Federation of Ireland
(1 850 909 909) for further advice.
Taking control of your diabetes
...there’s no doubt about it,
I feel my best when I’m on
top of my diabetes.
Lara, 42
Staying in control of your
Tips and advice
diabetes can be difficult, but
it’s definitely worth
• Look after your heart and circulation –
eat healthily and exercise regularly
sticking at it. Regular
• DO NOT SMOKE
monitoring, good blood
• Keep a record of your blood glucose tests
– and act on them
glucose control and a
healthy diet/lifestyle can
really help reduce the effect diabetes
has on your life.
You are also less likely to get a hypo
and there’s a lower risk of getting
diabetes-related problems later in life.
• Avoid being overweight
• Eat more starchy and high-fibre foods
(e.g. wholemeal bread, cereals, pasta)
• Cut down on fatty and sugary foods like
jams, red meat and biscuits
• Get a blood pressure & eye check-up at
least once a year
• Check your feet regularly for cuts and bruises
• Get a cholesterol check-up at least
every 3 years