Understanding Diabetes
Diabetes is a long-term condition that affects how the body regulates blood sugar (glucose). There are different types of diabetes, including Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes, each of which requires ongoing management to help maintain good health and reduce the risk of complications. This page has been designed to provide basic information about diabetes, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and self-management. For more detailed information, advice, and support, please visit the NHS website, which offers comprehensive guidance and resources for people living with diabetes and their families.
NHS Website – DiabetesCommon Symptoms and seeking help
- Increased thirst
- Passing urine more often
- feeling very tired
- Unexplained weight loss
- Blurred vision
- Recurrent infections
- Cuts and wounds taking longer to heal
If you are experiencing symptoms of diabetes, please complete an Anima request to arrange an assessment here at the practice.
If you are unable to submit an Anima request online, you can call the surgery on 01233 624642 and speak to our AI Care Navigator Andi who will submit this request for you.
Early onset Type 2 Diabetes
Developing type 2 diabetes under the age of 40 is sometimes referred to as ‘early onset type 2 diabetes’.
At this stage it comes with an increased risk of other long-term conditions compared to later onset type 2 diabetes. However, these risks can be reduced with lifestyle changes, meaning there can be more scope and time to better manage the condition.
Know your risk – Use the free, quick and online tool to find out your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It’ll only take a few minutes and you’ll get your results straightaway.
For patients with diabetes,“sick day rules” are the steps they should follow when they are unwell (for example, with a fever, infection, vomiting, diarrhoea, flu, or COVID-19) to reduce the risk of complications such as dehydration, severe hyperglycaemia, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), or hypoglycaemia.
Kent and Medway have partnered with my mhealth to offer free access to their fully-featured, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) aligned platform that provides expert advice, educational resources, and tools to help you manage your long-term condition.
How to Use a Glucose Meter
A glucose meter is used to check your blood glucose or blood sugar level. This is needed to help you manage your diabetes.
Information PDF – How to use a Glucose Meter (English and Nepali)Patients Taking SGLT-2 Inhibitors
Information for patients taking
Sodium-Glucose Co-transporter
2 (SGLT2) inhibitors.
Information PDF – SGLT-2 InhibitorsKent and Medway Diabetic Eye Screening Programme
Do you live with diabetes? Are you passionate about helping your community?
The Kent & Medway Diabetic Eye Screening Programme deliver diabetic eye screening for people with diabetes aged 12 and over across Kent and Medway as part of the NHS screening service.
Facebook: @kmdesp
Twitter/X: @kmdesp
Email: enquiries.kmdesp@nhs.net
Tel: 01233 884110
Website: Kent and Medway Diabetic Eye ScreeningKent and Medway Diabetic Eye Screening Patient Portal
Manage your diabetic eye screening online with the Patient Portal. You can:
• Book your next diabetic eye screening appointment. You can also cancel or rebook your existing appointment.
• Manage your diabetic eye screening. You can change change the location of your appointment or how you are contacted.
• View the results of your diabetic eye screening appointments easily online.
• Access and download your screening your screening images from past appointments.
Website: portal.kmdesp.co.ukMaking a decision about managing type 1 diabetes
This leaflet is for people with type 1 diabetes.
It can help you decide between the different technology available to manage diabetes.
There are some parts for you to fill in.
You should go through this leaflet and then talk to your diabetes team.
Website: www.england.nhs.ukHealthy living for people with type 2 diabetes
Everyone living with type 2 diabetes should have the opportunity to learn the skills and knowledge needed to help them live well.
We would like to offer you a place on a free, online NHS programme;
Healthy Living for people with type 2 diabetes
Healthy Living provides knowledge and information so that you can:
feel confident in managing your type 2 diabetes,reduce diabetes-related stress, improve your health and wellbeing, achieve and maintain a healthy weight, feel motivated to continue making healthy lifestyle choices.
Register today.
Website: www.healthyliving.nhs.uk