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Diabetes is a condition that causes your blood glucose (sugar) level to become too high.

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2 types:

Type 1 Diabetes: Often diagnosed in childhood, but you can get it at any age. It cannot be prevented.

Type 2 Diabetes: Some people are at higher risk due to ethnicity, age, living with obesity or overweight.

It can sometimes be prevented or stopped with lifestyle changes and treatment.

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The most common symptoms of diabetes are:

feeling thirsty all the time

needing the toilet more than usual, especially in the night

feeling very tired

losing weight without trying

With diabetes, you may experience all of these, or only some - every patient has their own individual experience

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It can be challenging to make changes in your diet at first, but persistence is key! To manage diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol through diet, focus on eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, while reducing salt, sugar, and saturated fats.

Try choosing healthy carbohydrates like oats, using lean meats and fish, opting for low-fat dairy, and increasing soluble fiber from sources like beans, apples, and oats!

Reducing the harmful things in your diet will improve your symptoms and help prevent further complications in your heart health

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Having diabetes can increase your chance of getting other health problems, including:

heart attack and stroke

kidney problems

nerve damage and foot problems – diabetes can cause damage to nerves

sight problems – adults and children aged 12 or over will be offered diabetic eye screening every 1 to 2 years

gum disease - inflammation of the gums

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From a current patient:

“Cut down on sugar, salt, and eat a balanced diet. Excerise often when you can, even if it is just walking. Most importantly, stay POSITIVE”

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Diabetes can damage blood vessels, leading to high blood pressure, while the conditions can also amplify each other's negative effects through shared mechanisms like inflammation and insulin resistance. Individuals with diabetes are twice as likely to have high blood pressure

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Insulin helps sugar move from your blood into the cells. When there is not enough insulin being produced the blood cells can’t get the sugar that it needs. Some patients will need some extra insulin in their body, and take it every day to help lower their blood sugar

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Heart failure is more common in people with diabetes because high blood sugar damages blood vessels and nerves, while conditions like high blood pressure and cholesterol are more likely to occur. This damage can lead to the heart not pumping blood effectively, causing symptoms like swelling and shortness of breath.

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The first line medication is usually Metformin, but others include Sitagliptin, Gliclazide, and more. To find out more, read about it here

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-diabetes/looking-after-diabetes/treatments/tablets-and-medication

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It’s really important to spend time with people going through similar changes and struggles as you, to help build community and feel more connected to others like you, and less alone

To find a local support group near you, you can use this link to put in your town and postcode, and it will come up with a list of different support groups near you

There’s something for everyone - football, running, chatting, courses, crafts, and so on!

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/support-for-you/community-support-and-forums/local-support-groups

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Groups typically meet once a month, but they often also take part in many other activities such as fundraising, campaigning and raising awareness.

About Diabetes UK support groups

Adjusting to the knowledge that you or a family member has diabetes takes time and it is often helpful to meet other people who have been through a similar situation. They can offer understanding, help and support at an important time.

Local diabetes support and information

A good way of finding this help is to join a local support group - a Diabetes UK group. These groups offer people living with diabetes a chance to meet and share experiences with others. They are all run by volunteers and typically meet on a monthly basis, often with a speaker on a topic like diet or exercise.

"Talking to people through the group has helped. I'm the sort of person who wants to help other people and I feel very strongly that the more knowledge people have, the better they can cope."

Shona Freeborn, carer for her husband who has Type 1 diabetes and runs a local support group.

Campaigning, activities and events

As well providing support and information, Diabetes UK groups also get involved in:

fundraising

campaigning to improve local diabetes services

planning social events and outings

running awareness-raising activities.

Parents, children and young people

There are also some specialist groups - for parents, children and young people with diabetes.

Are you aged 13-25 years old and living with type 1 diabetes? Do you know someone who is? Find out about the Our Lives, Our Voices projects in Northern Ireland and Scotland and how you can get involved. These projects are led by young people for young people so find out more and get involved today.

Need medical advice?

Please note that Diabetes UK groups cannot give medical advice. They can only talk about diabetes from their own experiences. If you need medical advice, please contact your local diabetes specialist nurse, or local diabetes centre.

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If you or a family member has diabetes, it's often helpful to meet other people who are going through the same thing at our diabetes support groups.