14 November 2022

Today is World Diabetes Day. The theme for this year is ‘education to protect tomorrow’.

Being aware of what diabetes is and the signs to look out for can save lives. The earlier people with the condition are diagnosed, the less likely they are to have a medical emergency or life-changing complications relating to their condition.

The most common symptoms of type 1 diabetes can be summarised by the ‘4 Ts’. However, these symptoms can also be signs of type 2 diabetes. Here are the symptoms you should look out for:

  • Toilet – are you going to the toilet more often, especially at night?
  • Thirsty – are you constantly thirsty and unable to quench your thirst?
  • Tired – are you tired and feeling like you have no energy?
  • Thinner – are you losing weight without trying to, or looking thinner than usual?

If you or a family member is showing any of these symptoms, you should contact your GP practice to make an appointment.

NHS Borders offers educational courses to help people who have recently been diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. These courses can help you manage your condition and the lifestyle changes that come with it.

For type 1 diabetes, we offer a ‘Type 1 Borders Education’ course - a 4-day intensive course covering exercise and diabetes, how to manage illness with type 1 diabetes, the action of insulin and how it works, carbohydrate counting, hypo and hyperglycaemia management and diabetes complications. Those with type 1 diabetes who are interested in this course should speak to a member of the Diabetes Team.

If you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you will be offered a 2 hour ‘Control IT’ session - either face to face or virtually. The course covers what diabetes is, how to manage lifestyle changes, long-term complications, action planning and access to other resources to help you manage your condition.

In addition to these courses, a peer volunteer group for members of the Borders community with type 1 diabetes is also being set up. The group will offer people an environment away from the hospital and nurses to discuss their experiences with other people with diabetes. If you are interested in joining or volunteering with this group, please contact Maryanna in the Diabetes Office.

For more information and resources to help you manage your diabetes, visit the Diabetes UK Learning Zone or My Diabetes My Way.