A range of opinions from several of our experts and people with diabetes. Just to show you that diabetes doesn’t need to hold you back. Think positive and take heart from some of these comments.

Diabetes occurs because the body can’t use glucose properly. So too much of it stays in the blood instead of getting to the cells where it’s needed for energy. There are two types of diabetes – Type 1 and Type 2! Here is a little bit of science about what is meant to happen and what actually does happen in diabetes.

Diabetes is very serious. It can lead to blindness, amputation, heart attacks and significant problems with your feet and kidneys if it’s not well-controlled. There is no cure for diabetes. But with good control you can delay or prevent the complications.

The Exact cause of Type 2 diabetes isn’t yet known but several factors can make developing it more likely. They include being overweight, having a family history of diabetes and getting older. If you are of South Asian or Afro-Caribbean origin you are at least five times more likely to develop diabetes than if you are white.

Feeling thirsty all the time? Going to the loo more often? Feeling very tired? Losing weight? There are many symptoms of diabetes and they’re not always obvious. At least half a million people in the UK have diabetes without knowing it! Diabetes UK calls it “The Silent Assassin”.

You may feel angry. You may experience denial or grief. You may feel guilty or resentful. Everyone’s different. There’s no right way to react to finding out you have diabetes. Find out here about some of the feelings you’re likely to experience.

It can be a big shock being told you have an incurable, long-term condition. But with good management and a healthy lifestyle you can delay or prevent the serious complications of diabetes. All our experts advise taking some time to reflect and finding out as much as you can about your condition.

If you have Type 2 diabetes you need to look after your health very carefully. The more you know about your diabetes, the better-equipped you are to deal with it. Your healthcare team should be able to point you in the right direction but here’s some advice on useful places to look for reliable information.

Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in the working age population. It is also a leading cause of amputation and of kidney failure requiring dialysis. Here our experts outline the main complications of diabetes but remember – with good control you can delay or even prevent all of them!

Do you have a thorough eye test each year? If you have diabetes you should have. Retinopathy can lead to blindness if it’s not picked up early. Regular eye tests can help make sure that problems are spotted (and can be treated) as soon as they occur.

With diabetes you may lose some (or all) feeling in your feet. This can mean you don’t notice when they become burnt or blistered or injured. Ulcers and other problems can develop without you being aware of them. So make sure you check your feet each day. Here’s some practical advice for day to day care.

You will probably have your blood glucose level checked by your GP every 2-6 months. But you may want (or be advised) to monitor your own levels. Find out how what you eat and how much exercise you take affects your blood glucose levels. Here’s a simple guide to why testing is important and when you should test more often.

There’s no point in testing at all if you don’t use the results. Many factors such as what you eat, how you exercise, stress, illness and pregnancy can affect your blood glucose levels. If you can find out what affects your level you can make some adjustments to your lifestyle or medication and gain better control.

This test is performed by your doctor or nurse every few weeks or months. It measures the long-term amount of glucose in your blood by checking how much glucose is actually sticking to you red blood cells. It gives a better idea of how good your control has been over a period of about three months.

The two most important things you can do to keep you diabetes well-controlled. Your initial treatment may also include medication and later treatment almost certainly will. But a healthy diet and regular exercise can play a huge part in managing your condition from the beginning.

There’s no special diet for diabetes. But it’s important that your meals are balanced and regular and low in fat, sugar and salt. Diet (with exercise) is one of the best tools you have to control your diabetes and small changes can make a big difference. This is a brief introduction to healthy eating for diabetes based on something called “The eatwell plate”.

Base your meals around starchy carbohydrates – foods such as wholemeal bread, cereals, rice, pasta, yam, chapatis and potatoes will help to control your glucose levels. Wholegrain varieties are best. High fibre is good. Learn more here.

We all know the target is 5 a day. If you have diabetes it’s a little more complicated because fruit contains a lot of sugar. Diabetes dietitian Pavita Bhachu talks here about how much fruit and veg you should be eating. And what exactly is a portion? Find out here.

Or protein. A brief guide to what to go for and what to avoid. Learn about the value of oily fish and pulses and lentils. And discover what a portion of cheese really looks like. (Small!)

Know the difference between saturated fat and monounsaturated? Know which is better for you? Cutting back on fat is part of a general healthy diet but some fat is better than others. Find out here why pastries, pies and biscuits should be treated with caution and how much fat to use in your cooking.

There’s no need to give up alcohol just because you have diabetes. Try to stick to general healthy guidelines th ough. That is, 2-3 units per day for men, 1-2 units for women. And you don’t have to cut out cakes completely. Just be careful. Learn here what are the best options.

The Glycaemic Index is a way of measuring foods against one another. The GI ranks foods based on their overall effect on blood glucose. It’s not an exact science but it can tell you which foods are broken down slowly (Low GI and good for you!) and which are broken down quickly (High GI and not so good!). Here’s a brief guide to what’s what.

Most people enjoy eating out and having diabetes doesn’t mean you can’t try different types of food such as Indian, Chinese or Italian. Here is some basic advice from diabetes dietitian Pavita Bhachu. Again the key is general healthy eating.

Exercise lowers your blood glucose level. So it’s important to exercise regularly if you have diabetes. 30 minutes of moderate exercise, at least five times a week, is recommended. It doesn’t mean getting out the lycra and signing up at the gym! Even gardening and hoovering can be exercise.

If regular exercise and a healthy diet alone are not controlling your blood glucose level effectively then you may need tablets or insulin to treat Type 2 diabetes. There are several different types of tablets and several different types and ways of taking insulin. At some stage you are likely to need one or other or both. Remember, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed.

If you’re being treated with insulin or some other medications (tablets) your blood sugar level can become very low. If it falls below 4 mmol/litre you have hypoglycaemia (often called “having a hypo”.) It’s usually not serious – but it can be. So it’s important to know what your warning signs are and what to do when it happens.

Having diabetes doesn’t mean you can’t get or keep a job. But there are some jobs that won’t be open to you. Listen here for some advice about your rights, the Disability Discrimination Act and what to tell your boss.

This section contains useful advice about travel insurance and ID. You can also find out here about packing and storing your medication. Diabetes shouldn’t stop you doing anything as long as you plan your trip carefully.

The Koran requires fasting during the month of Ramadan from sunrise to sunset. People with diabetes do NOT have to fast during Ramadan. Here are a few tips for fasting safely if that is your choice.

When you’re diagnosed with diabetes you’ll come into contact with a range of healthcare professionals. The team will include your GP and practice nurse. You may also be meeting specialist diabetes nurses, dietitians, optometrists (for your eye care), podiatrists (for your feet) and others. You’ll probably see one or two quite frequently and you may form a close bond.

The Barking and Dagenham Diabetes Support Group meets on the second Monday of each month at Dagenham and Redbridge football Club. Anyone can turn up and every month there’s a different guest speaker including specialist nurses, dietitians, podiatrists, reps from the blood glucose monitoring device makers and others. Pick up tips and advice on everything you need to know. Sec Elaine Clark 020 8984 8611.

Living with diabetes is a lifelong learning process. Structured education is a planned course that should cover all aspects of diabetes. There are several different courses. You are likely to be offered a programme called DESMOND if you have Type 2 diabetes. This is available in Barking and Dagenham.

It’s like your MOT. You should make sure you have your eyes and feet checked at least once a year. Your blood pressure and cholesterol levels should be tested more often. Here’s what you should be making sure you get from your healthcare team.

Some inspirational comments and views from some of the experts and people with diabetes you’ve heard on these pages. Think positive.