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Diabetes UK.
This
World Diabetes Day (14 November), local woman is backing a new national campaign
highlighting the importance of diabetes education.
Diabetes
UK's new Taking Control campaign highlights the huge difference diabetes
education courses can make. These courses can help people with Type 1 or Type 2
diabetes take better control of their condition, giving them the best possible
chance of living long and healthy lives.
Tamarra Neill
(25) from Eastbourne was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 10 years
old after experiencing some of the classic symptoms such as constant thirst and
going to the loo more frequently.
Tamarra
attended the Skill for Adjusting Diet and Insulin (SADIE)
which is a local education programme for people with Type 1 diabetes. The course runs over five days over a five week period and offers
participants an opportunity to gain knowledge and learn skills to confidently self-manage
their diabetes with no food limitations or restrictions on their daily
activities.
She
said: “The course enabled me to have a more level playing field with my blood
sugar control. I am not fluctuating as often as previously, it's also enabled me
to indulge in treats. The SADIE course taught me that I was able to eat when I
felt hungry not always when my next insulin injection was due as well as not
having to eat so many snacks, even when I wasn't hungry just because of
the level of insulin I was on meant I had to eat a set amount at set times no
matter what."
“I
am now able to alter my insulin levels accordingly to what I eat, what
activity I am doing, when I'm poorly and even having a simple correction dose
if I have misjudged my carbohydrate intake instead of waiting for my next
structured injection. I also have a better awareness of how my body reacts
to the insulin and what levels I need at set times of the day and to the
carbohydrate levels, as well as what correction dose level I need when high or
ill."
Jill
Steaton, Diabetes UK South East Regional Manager at Diabetes UK, said: “Those
who have just been diagnosed with diabetes or who have been living with the
condition for some time, can find it difficult to get their heads around how to
successfully manage the condition. But by attending a diabetes education
course, they can instead feel empowered to take control and manage their
condition with confidence.
“There
is strong evidence that when people with diabetes are equipped with the
knowledge and skills to manage their condition effectively, they can improve
their quality of life. They can also reduce their risk of developing avoidable
complications, such as kidney disease, stroke and amputation. These are not
only personally devastating, but also expensive to treat. Diabetes costs the
NHS nearly £10 billion a year, 80 per cent of which is spent on managing
avoidable complications. But by giving people the knowledge and skills to
manage their diabetes effectively, we can reduce their long-term risk of
complications and reduce the cost burden on the NHS.
“We
have launched our Taking Control campaign to highlight the importance of good
quality diabetes education. We want to encourage everyone in Portsmouth who is
living with diabetes to go and ask their healthcare professional for
information about a diabetes education course. The campaign also calls on the
NHS to make sure that everyone with diabetes has access to the education and
support they need to manage their diabetes well. Everyone with diabetes should have
access to education from the moment of diagnosis and then throughout their
lives."
There
are more than 9,500 of people living with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in the Eastbourne,
Hailsham and Seaford area.
The
'Taking Control' campaign has been launched this week ahead of World Diabetes
Day on Saturday 14 November. Join the conversation on Twitter by using the
hashtag #TakingControl.
To
find out more about going on an education course, speak to your GP or
healthcare professional. To find out more about the Taking Control campaign and
to take action to ensure everyone with diabetes has access to diabetes
education, visit www.diabetes.org.uk/taking-control
– ENDS –
For further media information please contact Sylvia Lambe on 01372 731 365 or the Diabetes UK Media Relations Team on 020
7424 1165 or email pressteam@diabetes.org.uk
For urgent out of hours media enquiries only please call 07711 176 028. ISDN
facilities available.
Notes to editor:
1
Diabetes UK is the leading UK charity that
cares for, connects with and campaigns on behalf of all people affected by and
at risk of diabetes. For more information on all aspects of diabetes and
access to Diabetes UK activities and services, visit www.diabetes.org.uk
2
In the UK, there are around 3.8 million people
who have diabetes. There are 3.2 million
people living with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, and around 630,000 more who have
Type 2 diabetes but don't know they have it because they haven't been
diagnosed. As many as 11.5 million
people are at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and if current trends
continue, an estimated 5 million people will have diabetes by 2025.
3
Diabetes is a condition where there is too much
glucose in the blood because the body cannot use it properly. If not
managed well, both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can lead to devastating
complications. Diabetes is the leading
cause of blindness in people of working age in the UK and is a major cause of
lower limb amputation, kidney failure and stroke.
4
People with Type 1
diabetes
cannot produce insulin. About 10 per
cent of people with diabetes have Type 1.
No one knows exactly what causes
it, but it's not to do with being overweight and it isn't currently
preventable. It usually affects children
or young adults, starting suddenly and getting worse quickly. Type 1 diabetes is treated by daily insulin
doses - taken either by injections or via an insulin pump – a healthy diet and
regular physical activity.
5
People with Type 2
diabetes don't produce enough insulin or the insulin they produce doesn't
work properly (known as insulin resistance).
85 to 90 per cent of people with diabetes have Type 2. They might get Type 2 diabetes because of
their family history, age and ethnic background puts them at increased
risk. They are also more likely to get
Type 2 diabetes if they are overweight.
It starts gradually, usually later in life, and it can be years before
they realise they have it. Type 2 diabetes is treated with a healthy diet
and increased physical activity. In addition, tablets and/or insulin can
be required.
6
For more information on reporting on diabetes,
download our journalists' guide: www.diabetes.org.uk/journalists-guide
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