Diabetes Awareness

Describe what is meant by the term diabetes.

Outline key features of type 1 diabetes.

1.2: Key features of type 1 diabetes, for example:

• treated by daily doses of insulin
• can develop at any age
• usually appears in people under 40
• most common type of diabetes in children

Outline key features of type 2 diabetes.

1.3: Key features of type 2 diabetes, for example:

• usually appears in people over 40
• often related to lifestyle, including obesity

Describe signs and symptoms that indicate an individual may have diabetes.

1.4: Signs and symptoms, for example:

• going to the toilet a lot
• feeling thirsty all the time
• more tired than usual
• weight loss, but not trying to
• blurred vision
• slow healing of cuts

Identify risk factors associated with the development of type 2 diabetes.

Describe ways that individuals can reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

2.2: Ways that individuals can reduce their risk, for example:

• healthy diet
• physical exercise

Outline the long term health consequences of developing type 2 diabetes.

2.3: Long term health consequences, for example:

• affects eyesight
• causes kidney failure
• leads to circulation problems
• damages the heart

Outline the treatments and other support available for individuals with diabetes

a) nutritional

b) medication

c) exercise.

3.1: Treatments and other support, for example:

a) nutritional:

• healthy, balanced diet
• regular meal times
• reducing saturated fats and salt
• controlling portion sizes
• controlling the amount of sugar eaten
• keeping hydrated

b) medication:

• different types of medication, for example, biguanide (metformin), insulin, islet transplants

a) exercise:

• supporting the individual to engage in regular physical activity

Describe the importance of self-care for the individual with diabetes.

3.2: Importance of self-care, for example:

• maintaining independence, reducing the risk of dependence
• reduced risk of complications
• empowerment

Give examples of tests used to monitor diabetes to include

a) annual tests

b) daily (or more frequent) tests.

Describe what is meant by the term hypoglycaemia.

Identify the possible causes of hypoglycaemia.

List the signs and symptoms of hypoglycaemia.

Describe what action to take if an individual has hypoglycaemia.

4.4 What action to take, for example:

• eat or drink glucose tablets, sweets, sugary drinks
• take slower acting carbohydrate if meal is not due
• re-test blood glucose after 15-20 minutes

Describe the impact of intercurrent illness on individuals with diabetes.

5.1: Impact of intercurrent illness, for example:

• stress of illness can increase insulin requirements
• difficulty managing diabetes as they would normally

Outline how treatment for diabetes may be required to be changed during intercurrent illness.

5.2: How treatment for diabetes may be required to be changed, for example:

• monitor and increase fluid intake if required
• make sure there are arrangements in place for monitoring insulin if the person is not able to during their illness
• increasing frequency of glucose monitoring
• maintain carbohydrate intake using fluids if the patient has difficulty swallowing

Describe the links and possible complications between diabetes and

a) dementia

b) depression

c) pregnancy.

5.3: Links and possible complications, for example:

a) dementia

• research has shown that type 2 diabetes can be a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia and other types of dementia
• research had shown that dementia can affect the brain’s ability to use glucose properly

b) depression

• people with diabetes are more likely to suffer from depression
• people with diabetes suffering from depression are at greater risk of suffering from an episode of diabetic burnout

c) pregnancy

• glucose levels may vary
• retinopathy should be treated before becoming pregnant due to potential pressure on small vessels in the eyes
• some medication cannot be taken during pregnancy