Diabetes: Your Questions Answered

Owen Mumford

Copyright Owen Mumford 2016

Published at Smashwords

Why me?

The fact that you are reading this booklet means that

you have recently been diagnosed with diabetes. You

can rest assured that you are not alone, as diabetes is

a condition that affects over 2 million people in the UK,1

about 800,000 of whom need to inject themselves with

insulin every day.2

The key thing is not to become disheartened about your

diagnosis, because if handled properly, it should not

interfere with your lifestyle too much.

Getting into a good routine, anticipating any breaks in

this routine and generally looking after yourself will

really pay off - advice that the whole population should

follow!

So take your time to read the information given in this

booklet, and use it alongside the advice from your

Diabetes Team to start living positively with diabetes.

http://newdiabetesmedications.com/

What is diabetes?

Your body needs sugar (glucose) to fuel your muscles

and other cells so that you have the energy to perform

everyday activities. The glucose you need comes partly

from the food you eat (bread, potatoes etc), which is

broken down to glucose in your intestines and absorbed

into your bloodstream.

Once the glucose is in your bloodstream, it can only be

taken into muscles by insulin, a hormone produced by

your pancreas. If you do not produce enough insulin (or

if the insulin you produce does not work properly), this

transfer does not happen and glucose stays in your

bloodstream.

Is diabetes the same for everyone?

No. There are two main types of diabetes:

Type 1: occurs when no insulin is produced at all

because the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas

have been destroyed. Nobody knows for sure how this

happens, but the most likely cause is the body having

an abnormal reaction to this type of cell. There is

nothing you can do to prevent type 1 diabetes. This

type of diabetes is always treated with insulin

injections.3

Type 2: develops when your body does not make

enough insulin, or the insulin that you do produce does

not work properly. It has been linked to people carrying

excess weight and is more frequently seen in people of

Asian or African origin. It usually occurs in people aged

over 40-45 years and is the most common form of

diabetes, occurring in 85 to 95% of all people with

diabetes.3

Diabetes is a lifelong condition, but learning how to

care for yourself will help you to protect your

longterm health

Want to Cure Diabetes? Click Here

How is diabetes treated?

If you have type 1 diabetes you will require insulin

therapy straight away as it is no longer being produced

by your body. There are many different types of insulin

preparations available and not everyone takes the

same type or has to inject the same number of times

each day.

You will be prescribed the insulin regimen that works

best for you.

The aim of insulin therapy is to mimic your body’s

natural response, so there is a rapid-acting type that

works like the insulin your body produces after a meal,

and a long-acting type that mirrors the low levels of

insulin your body continuously produces.

If you have type 2 diabetes, you can often control high

levels of blood glucose by improving your diet (eating

healthier options and reducing the amount of sugary

foods), and by doing more exercise to keep your weight

under control. If your blood glucose levels are still too

high, there are tablets that can help your body to either

produce more insulin or make the insulin you do

produce work more efficiently.

Some people with type 2 diabetes find that despite

having their diabetes medication adjusted, their blood

glucose levels remain too high and insulin treatment is

recommended by their doctor – if this happens to you, it

must not be seen as a ‘failure’ on your part, but as an

inevitable development in the course of your disease.

Make sure you know how you should be taking your

medication. Don’t be afraid to ask your Diabetes

Team questions, we’re here to help

What should my glucose levels be?

The amount of glucose you should have in your blood

varies depending on your type of diabetes, your age

and time of day. Your Diabetes Team will advise you

about the right level for you and how often you should

test.

How do I test my blood glucose levels?

Testing your blood glucose levels is very simple and

involves ‘pricking’ the tip of one of your fingers with a

lancet (a sharp needle-type device) to produce a small

drop of blood.

Make sure your hands are clean and choose the

nonfleshy part of your fingertip (not the index finger).

The whole process will be easier if you first massage

the area to improve circulation.

Once you have drawn a drop of blood, just put it on the

test strip and measure the amount of glucose using

your glucose meter. Always dispose of the used lancet

safely in a sharps bin or refer to your local guidelines for

the safe disposal of sharps.

Your metabolism changes throughout the day so

check your blood glucose regularly

So I need insulin – what happens now?

Injecting insulin is very quick, easy, relatively painless

and discrete these days.

Due to the availability of pen devices (which look just

like fountain pens), no-one need know that you have

diabetes - unless you want them to.

You will probably be using either:

• a prefilled/disposable pen which can be

thrown away when all of the insulin has been used.

• a refillable pen which requires insulin

cartridges – these are very easy to replace and are

thrown away when empty, retaining the pen.

The new generation of needles, like Unifine® Pentips®

are also very fine and lubricated to ensure maximum

comfort when injecting.

Before each injection, you need to check that the pen is

working by setting the dial to 2, holding the pen upright

and pressing the button. A small drop of insulin should

appear at the tip of the needle. If not, repeat the

process until, it does.

The next two pages show just how simple it is to inject.

To Cure Diabetes Click Here

WHERE do I inject my insulin?

First of all, it is important to know whereabouts on your

body you should be injecting.

The best places to inject are the abdomen (always more

than two inches away from the navel), and outer thigh.

The buttocks are also good places, as long as you can

reach them easily. Absorption rates of insulin may vary

depending on where you inject, for example your upper

thigh and buttocks have a slower absorption rate and

your abdomen has a quicker absorption rate.

To make sure you get a predictable effect, it is

advisable to use the same part of the body at the same

dose time (e.g. outer thigh in the morning, abdomen at

lunchtime). However, it is really important to remember

not to inject in exactly the same place each time (site

rotation). You can do this in two ways:

1. Switch between sides from one day to the next

(e.g. left thigh one day, right thigh the next)

2. Move injection site one inch away from previous

site at each dose.

Possible injection sites are highlighted in blue.

HOW do I inject my insulin?

There is no need to feel overwhelmed by the thought of

injecting yourself, just follow the simple steps outlined

below and it will soon become second nature to you:

1. Take the cap off your pen and insert insulin cartridge

if you are not using a prefilled/disposable pen

2. Screw on a NEW Unifine® Pentips® needle

3. Check the pen is working and set the dose

4. Inject into the layer of fat just below the surface – do

this by pinching a couple of inches of skin between

your thumb and two fingers and pulling away from

the underlying muscle

5. Insert the needle at the angle advised by your

diabetes team (usually 90°)

6. Push the button/plunger all the way down, release

skin, count to 10 and slowly remove needle/syringe.

Only use needles once and dispose of them

immediately in a sharps bin or refer to your local

guidelines for the safe disposal of sharps

What else should I know?

If your insulin is cloudy, just gently move it from side to

side and back and forth a few times, and then roll it

between the palm of your hands until it is clear, this will

ensure the insulin is mixed properly.

As mentioned before, insulin is absorbed at different

rates from different areas of the body, which is why it is

important that you remember to use the same area at

the same dose time each day. The abdomen has the

best absorption rate and so is most suitable for

shortacting insulins whilst the thighs or buttocks are

more suited for long-acting insulins.

Use a NEW insulin pen needle every time you inject.

This is a good habit to get into for a number of reasons:

• injections with new needles are easier and more

comfortable

• drug can leak out or air can get into reused needles

• reused needles can get blocked

• only new needles are guaranteed to be sterile

• blunt needles can cause lipos

If you’re worried about any part of your treatment or

feeling isolated, talk to your Diabetes Team or

contact a support group

What are lipos?

Lipos are the short name for lipohypertrophy - fatty

bumps that can form under your skin at injection sites if

you do not rotate injection sites enough.

They can be unsightly and reduce how well your insulin

works if you continue to inject there – it may interest

you to know that injecting into skin that is free of lipos

can reduce insulin requirements.4

The good news is that you can avoid lipos by using

good injection technique:

• always rotate injection sites

• always use a new needle for each injection

If you think you are developing a lipo, stop injecting into

that area immediately and talk to your nurse.

Rotate your injection site for each insulin dose What happens if my blood glucose levels are wrong?

Hyperglycaemia occurs when your blood glucose is too

high as a result of forgetting to take your diabetes

treatment, or eating too much food. It can also be the

result of infection, increased stress or decreased levels

of activity. You need to drink water and take your

medication as soon as possible

To help keep glucose levels within the normal range:

• Take your medication as directed

• Check your blood glucose regularly

• Eat a healthy diet, including complex carbohydrates,

protein and fibre and avoiding high-sugar foods

Hypoglycaemia occurs when your blood glucose is too

low because the dose of your diabetes treatment is too

high, or you are not eating enough carbohydrate after

taking your medication. Other causes include: too much

exercise, stress and hot weather. If you experience

hypoglycaemic symptoms, take a sugary snack such as

LucozadeTM, GlucoTabsTM or regular cola

Always carry sugary snacks in case you should feel

hypoglycaemic

How do I know if my blood glucose levels are wrong?

To Cure Diabetes Naturally Click

Here

Recognising a hypoglycaemic episode

These are known as hypos for short and can produce

the following effects:

• anxiety/nervousness

• excessive sweating

• faintness/dizziness

• headache

• rapid heart rate

• paleness

• ingling lips or fingertips

• blurred vision

• confusion/lack of concentration

• feeling irritable

• extreme hunger

• problems waking up/sleepiness

• shakiness/trembling

• slurred speech

Recognising a hyperglycaemic episode

These are known as hypers for short and can produce

the following effects:

• excessive thirst

• frequent urination

• feeling weak/tired

• stomach pains

• feeling ‘achy’

• high levels of glucose in your urine

• blurred vision

• itchy skin

• feeling/being sick

• shortness of breath

Hopefully you will not experience hypos or hypers, but if

you do, you will soon get to recognise the signs and

symptoms and so will be able to deal with them quickly

and effectively.

Carry an Insulin user’s identity card (from

Diabetes UK) which explains what should be done if

you become unwell when out

Will I have to alter my lifestyle?

Not drastically. The main differences that diabetes may

make to your lifestyle are getting used to your treatment

regime and remembering to take your medication when

you need to, checking your blood glucose levels

regularly (if on insulin or recommended by your

Diabetes Team) and being aware of your food choices

and exercise routine.

Having diabetes does not mean that you have to stop

driving if it is well-controlled and your doctor agrees, but

you must contact your insurance company. You must

also inform the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (

DVLA) if you are treated with insulin or tablets.

Always be aware of the possibility of hypoglycaemic

episodes and any deterioration in your eyesight and

inform the DVLA and your insurance company of any

complications - failure to do so could invalidate your

insurance.

Having diabetes shouldn’t prevent you from continuing

to enjoy travelling and holidays it may just require a bit

of planning. Always take your medication in your hand

luggage, get a doctor’s note to explain your medication

and don’t forget to take any additional items that you

will need, such as cool wallets and sharps bins

(available from the Medical Shop, see next page for

details).

If you are ill, continue to take your medication and

adjust the dose in response to your glucose test

results, and check your glucose levels often (at least

four times a day and four times at night) and drink

plenty of sugar-free drinks. Contact your doctor or

Diabetes Team if:

• blood glucose levels are continuously high

• you are vomiting

• you are unsure what to do

• if you are feeling unwell and your blood glucose

levels stay high, it is important to test for ketones in

your urine, and if present you need to contact your

healthcare professional immediately

Where can I find out more?

The following organisations can provide further

information and support to help you manage your

condition:

Diabetes UK

Tel: 020 7424 1000Email:

info@diabetes.org.ukWebsite:

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/

Diabetes Support

Website: http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/

Patient UK

Website: http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/diabetes-

dietand-exercise.htm

Medical Shop

Website: http://www.medicalshop.co.uk

Involve your friends and family, so they know what

to do if you experience a hypoglycaemic episode

Important things to remember

• Always take your medication as prescribed

• Check your blood glucose regularly

• Eat healthily (not too many sugary foods)

• Drink plenty of water

• Try to exercise

• Be careful about your alcohol intake

• Rotate injection sites each time

• Use a new needle for each injection

• If you are feeling worried or isolated, talk to friends,

family or your Diabetes Team

• Think positive - be confident about your ability to

manage your diabetes

Owen Mumford Ltd would like to thank the Diabetes

Teams at

Buckinghamshire, Central & Eastern Cheshire and Lanarkshire for their advice in producing this

booklet.

References:

1. Diabetes UK. Diabetes in the UK: Key statistics on

diabetes. September 2009; 2. Available at:

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/facts/diabetes

insulin.htm;

3 . Available at: http://www.diabetes.org.uk 4.

Vardar B, Kizilci S. Diabetes Res Clin Pract

2007;77(2):231-6.

This leaflet contains general information about medical

conditions and treatments. The information is not

advice, and should not be treated as such.

You must not rely on the information in this leaflet as an

alternative to medical advice from your doctor or other

professional healthcare provider. If you have any

specific questions about any medical matter you should

consult your doctor or other professional healthcare

provider