Diabetes Awareness Week: Your Health Checks Matter

Jun 18, 2024 Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes Awareness Week (10th - 16th of June in the UK) is a great time to focus on managing diabetes effectively and staying on top of your general health. At Simply Meds Online, we understand that living with diabetes can be challenging. With the right tools and support, you can manage your condition successfully. This week, we're highlighting the significance of regular health checks with your healthcare provider/GP and from home.

For more information on Diabetes Awareness Week and additional resources, visit Diabetes UK - For questions about your health needs that need in-person guidance speak to your GP, diabetic team or pharmacist. 

 

Understanding Diabetes

Diabetes UK estimates that as many as 5.6 million individuals here in the UK are diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes is a long-term condition that affects blood sugar (blood glucose). There are two main types of diabetes:

 

What is Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes happens when the immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas. These are the cells that create insulin. Insulin takes the glucose from your blood and converts it to energy. Without insulin to regulate blood glucose type 1 diabetics are at risk of very high and low glucose levels. Type 1 diabetics need to use medication such as (injected insulin/insulin via a continuous pump) to manage their blood glucose instead of relying on insulin produced by the body.

 

More About Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is more common yet still requires careful monitoring and action. When the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or you have insulin resistance, your blood glucose levels can become higher than is safe. This can cause long-term damage. Type 2 diabetes can often be managed with lifestyle changes, oral medications like Metformin, and sometimes insulin or other treatments.

Regardless of whether you have Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes, maintaining your self-care, blood glucose testing, medication and checks is important to stay healthy in the short and long term. There are a lot of myths out there about which type is “worse” or “easier”. The truth is that everyone’s diabetic journey is different which is why keeping on top of health checks and overall wellness is essential. 

 

 

The Importance of Maintaining Good Health When Diabetic

Managing diabetes is crucial to prevent complications such as heart disease, nerve damage, eye issues, and foot problems. Regular check-ups with your diabetic clinic or GP are essential, but including home health checks and lifestyle changes can make a huge difference. The better you care for yourself now, the more controlled your diabetes will be and you will have a lower risk of complications later on. 

 

Home Testing and Monitoring For Effective Management of Diabetes

Living with diabetes means keeping a close eye on your blood sugar levels. Fortunately, there are several tools available that make this easier.

 

HbA1C Diabetes Home Blood Test Kit

The HbA1C diabetes home blood test kit will give you an average blood sugar level over the past three months. There’s no need to go to the GP for this if you prefer the convenience of testing with a kit at home. Regular HbA1C testing provides valuable insights into how well your diabetes management plan is working. If the number is higher, or lower, than expected you will be able to make educated decisions about lifestyle changes or seek further advice.

  

Blood Glucose Testing With The GlucoRx Glucose Meter

Testing your blood before and after meals can be a very useful tool when it comes to monitoring progress, treating high or low blood glucose, choosing meals and more. The better you understand your condition and what can help or hinder it, the easier management can be. The GlucoRx glucose meter helps you keep track of your blood sugar levels on the go. Regular testing can have a positive effect on managing your condition. 

 

Using a Sharps Bin To Dispose of Lancets and Needles

Safe disposal of needles and lancets (for finger pricking/blood glucose tests) is essential for hygiene and safety. A sharps bin ensures that used sharps are stored and then disposed of correctly. Many pharmacies will take a full and sealed sharps bin in for destruction. If you don’t have somewhere in the area that offers this speak to your local council who will let you know the best way to dispose of your sharps. 

 

Additional Health Checks For Diabetics

Blood sugar monitoring is a very important part of self-monitoring to control your diabetes. There are other essential health checks for people with diabetes to prioritise.

 

Prioritising Diabetic Eye Health

Diabetes can affect your vision, so regular eye check-ups are vital. Diabetic Retinopathy is something that is usually tested for annually via the NHS. Products like MacuShield can support eye health. This supplement contains nutrients such as Lutein, Zeaxanthin, meso-zeaxanthin and vitamin B2 to help maintain healthy eyes.

 

Taking Care of Your Feet When Diabetic

Being diabetic can lead to foot problems due to poor circulation and nerve damage. Regular foot checks and using products like CCS Foot Care Cream can help keep your feet healthy and prevent complications. Those with poor blood glucose control tend to be at higher risk from foot issues and other complications. Check your feet regularly and consider seeing a podiatrist if you need help keeping on top of your foot care routine.

 

Emergency Diabetic Medications From Simply Meds Online

Having access to emergency medications and supplies is critical. While keeping a well-stocked supply of your essential medications is ideal, things do sometimes happen. For example, you may be away from home and don’t have your prescription with you. If this happens you can order both oral diabetes medication such as Metformin and diabetes injectable treatments on an emergency prescription so that you have what you need ASAP. 

Remember that here at Simply Meds Online you can have your regular NHS prescriptions delivered straight to your chosen address (discreetly), saving you from queuing at the pharmacy. 

 

Diabetes Awareness Week- Your Health Checks Matter

During Diabetes Awareness Week (and beyond), we encourage you to take proactive steps in managing your diabetes. Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider are essential, but so is incorporating home testing and health checks into your routine. Simply Meds Online offers a range of products, including the HbA1C Diabetes Home Blood Test Kit, GlucoRx glucose meter, sharps bin, and more, to help you stay on top of your health.

We understand that diabetic fatigue or diabetic burnout is something that some diabetics may experience. The constant ongoing checking and medicating can be wearying but is essential to stay well. If you are struggling to maintain your diabetic wellness routine or have mental health concerns, please see your GP for advice and support. 

Don’t forget to look up Diabetes UK to find out more about Diabetes Awareness Week and other information that can help you keep on top of your diabetic control and enjoy a healthier life.