World Diabetes Day 2024
The 14th November was world diabetes day, an opportunity to spread the word, raise awareness and share stories and experience of diabetes globally.
For this year’s world diabetes day we share the story of our Communications and Marketing Manager, and her experiences of Type 1 Diabetes.
Alex was first diagnosed as a Type 1 Diabetic in 2014, after experiencing symptoms.
“I had lost a lot of weight and had increasing tiredness for a few weeks but was taking my GCSEs at the time so was focused on getting through these. But additional symptoms such as unbelievable thirst and being unable to go an hour without needing the toilet eventually led me to visit my GP. The GP almost immediately recognised the symptoms and following a same day blood test I received my diagnosis and was sent to the hospital.”
Diabetes is a long-term condition that caused high blood sugar levels. When there is sugar in our blood, the pancreas produces insulin to help our bodies absorb it. People with diabetes aren’t able to produce insulin or can’t produce enough to help regulate their blood sugar levels.
Type 1 diabetes: People with Type 1 can’t produce insulin. Type 1 is considered an autoimmune disease. If you have a family history of diabetes, you’re at a higher risk of developing Type 1. However, it’s far less common than Type 2 diabetes. Only 8% of people with diabetes are diagnosed with it.
Type 2 diabetes: People with Type 2 may not produce enough insulin, or the insulin they produce can’t effectively manage their blood sugar levels. 90% of people diagnosed with diabetes will be diagnosed with Type 2. Certain lifestyle factors, including weight and age, can cause Type 2 diabetes, but some ethnicities are more likely to develop it than others.
At least 2% of people are diagnosed with other, rarer forms of diabetes, including Gestational Diabetes.
“Following my diagnosis, it felt like a huge shift had happened, my life was now focused on monitoring my blood sugar, watching what I ate and regular appointments and check-ups.
At times this could, and still to this day does, feel overwhelming and like a constant juggling act. However, with the help of my diabetes care team at the hospital and the people around me, having diabetes has just become another part of my life.”
This year, world diabetes day explores the theme of diabetes and well-being a topic that Alex agrees is vital to consider when managing the condition and living well.
“Getting support for well-being and access to diabetes care has helped to adapt to life with diabetes. Checking in with my team at the hospital helps me to share what I am felling with people who understand what I am going through. Online courses and advice helped me to learn more about living with type 1 and how I can manage it.
“And innovation within diabetes care and treatment have changed the way I manage the condition and have helped me keep by blood sugar in check. After years of finger pricking and using traditional blood sugar machines, I now use a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) which can be linked to my smart phone allowing me to monitor and understand my blood sugar and how it reacts more easily.
“Looking forward I am excited about the potential of new developments in the diabetes world and how these can change the management of my condition. From working Healthwatch, I have learnt how important it is for patients to share their experiences and views of health and care to influence these changes, how negative experiences can help to shape improvements and how sharing the positives can identify where services are working well”
To find out more about diabetes please use the resources below.
Diabetes UK – Know diabetes. Fight diabetes. | Diabetes UK
To share your experience of health and care services in East Sussex please get in touch with our Information and Signposting team.
Call: 0333 101 4007
Email: enquiries@healthwatcheastsussex.co.uk
Write to: RUGY–JESR–EEB, Unit 31, The Old Printworks, 1 Commercial Rd, Eastbourne, BN21 3XQ
