Living With Diabetes

Being diagnosed with diabetes really isn't the end of the world — with careful management you can live a full and fulfilling life and living with diabetes isn't as difficult as you might think.

Letting People Know

You may feel embarassed about telling others you have diabetes, but people can be very understanding and may even be able to offer support. The first people you tell are probably friends and family and, like many people, they

probably know very little about diabetes but will be keen to know more so that they can help – remember that this web site is one source of information that may help here.

Telling the people you live with could save your life if you suffer any diabetic complications while at home.

You may also want to tell neighbours (especially if you live alone).

There is currently no legal obligation (in many countries) to tell your employer about your diabetes, but it will help them to understand your behaviour (eg having to stop to do a blood test or to have an injection). You might want to emphasise that your condition means you are forced to live a healthy life style and to have a thorough medical check-up every year – so in a way your diabetes is a good thing.

Exercise

Don't worry! You don't have to visit the gym – you just have to keep active. Watching your diet, taking your diabetes medication, and physical activity are essential parts of your management of your diabetes. "Physical Activity" means exerting yourself for a short period so that you have to breathe heavily but not so much so that you cannot talk.

Holidays

Here are some special points to remember if you are a diabetic going on holiday:

• Be prepared with sufficient amounts of medication. Tell your doctor you are going on holiday and where you are going.

• If flying, keep all of your medication in your hand luggage, and bring some spare. Note that some airlines will insist on a letter from your doctor before they will allow diabetics and their medicine on board. Tell the airline in advance that you are diabetic, and they will usually provide an alternative meal suitable for you.

• Watch out for foot injuries – do not go barefoot at the beach – and do not wear open-toed sandals or flip-flops.

Pregnancy

Most women who have diabetes mellitus (ie Types 1, 2, and Gestational Diabetes) will have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies, but you will have to put in some work. You must discuss your pregnancy plans with your healthcare professional.

Smoking

Stop it!  We all know smoking is unhealthy, but the effects on diabetics can be even worse. It increases your chances of heart attack and stroke, gives you circulatory problems in your legs (sometimes leading to amputation) – even worse than just having diabetes alone!

General Rules If You Are ill

• Drink plenty of liquid.

• If you can't eat, then drink fruit juice or a non-diet drink to make sure your blood sugar levels stay high enough.

• If you have trouble drinking, try sucking on ice and slowly sip a clear non-diet drink.

• Make sure you keep taking your diabetes medicine; check your blood sugar levels regularly.

• Make sure there is someone available to check on you.

• Make sure you rest if you are ill – exercise will usually make your illness worse.

• Call your doctor if your blood sugar is over 13 mmol/l (240 mg/dl).