World Diabetes Day

November 14th World Diabetes Day is a day dedicated to raising awareness of diabetes and its potential complications.

This year's theme for World Diabetes Day is #RewriteTheStory which emphasises recognising the early signs of diabetes in order to reduce the risk of life-changing complications later on.

For healthcare professionals, it means being aware of the early signs of diabetes and intervening as soon as possible. It's also important to educate patients about the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

Diabetes is a condition that can affect anyone, so it's crucial to be aware of the signs in order to get treatment with as little delay as possible. Below, we discuss the early signs of diabetes and what healthcare professionals can do to protect their patients.

The difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes

Before we look at the symptoms, it’s important to establish the difference between the two main types of diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes are two different conditions. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body mistakenly attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This leads to a lack of insulin and causes blood sugar levels to rise.

Type 1 diabetes is usually managed through treatment with insulin supplementation. This most commonly takes the form of daily insulin injections.

Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which the body doesn't use insulin properly, often because the cells have become resistant to it. This can lead to high blood sugar levels and a number of potential health complications.

In most cases, type 2 diabetes can be successfully managed through lifestyle changes.

There is a third type of diabetes — diabetes insipidus. This is a rare disease and is not related to type 1 or type 2 but can have overlapping symptoms.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to diabetes, but it's important to understand the differences between the two main types so you can provide the best possible care.

How diabetes can be diagnosed: the early signs

The early signs of diabetes can vary from person to person, but there are some common ones to look out for. These include:

Feeling very tired all the time
Increased thirst and frequent urination
Blurred vision
Weight loss or weight gain
Cuts or bruises that are slow to heal

Know the symptoms of type 1 diabetes: the 4 Ts

Type 1 diabetes is a serious and life-threatening condition that requires immediate treatment. The 4 main symptoms of type 1 diabetes can be visualised with the 4 Ts:

Toilet: Going to the toilet a lot, especially at night.
Thirsty: Being thirsty all the time.
Tired: Feeling tired all the time and having no energy.
Thin: Losing weight even though you're eating normally or more than usual.

As a healthcare professional, if you notice any of these symptoms in your patients, it's important to test for diabetes. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential in managing the condition and reducing the risk of complications.

Why type 2 diabetes develops

health complications if left untreated. Unlike type 1, type 2 diabetes most commonly develops later in life due to a combination of lifestyle and environmental factors.

The main cause of type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance, which means the body can't use insulin properly. This occurs when the body produces too much insulin or the cells become resistant to the effects of insulin.

Common risk factors for the development of type 2 diabetes include:

Being overweight or obese
Lack of exercise
Genetics
Age

A few things that healthcare professionals can do to help their patients manage type 2 diabetes are:

Educating patients about the importance of early diagnosis and treatment
Encouraging patients to lose weight and increase physical activity levels
Monitoring blood sugar levels regularly and adjusting medication as needed
Providing patient support and resources

While there is no cure for type 2 diabetes, it can be managed with lifestyle changes and medication.

As a healthcare professional, what can you do?

Healthcare professionals are in a unique position to help patients manage their diabetes. Here are a few things to help support and treat patients suffering from either type of diabetes.

Diabetes education

Education and awareness are paramount in diabetes management.

Educating patients about the importance of early diagnosis and treatment, encouraging them to make healthy changes to their lifestyle, and monitoring their blood sugar levels regularly, should be a priority.

Emotional support and listening

Healthcare professionals can provide patient support and resources, which can be crucial in managing diabetes. By providing our patients with the tools they need to succeed, we can help them manage their condition and reduce the risk of complications.

Suffering from a chronic disease can be incredibly stressful and scary. Ensuring that support is in place, whether the patient has just been diagnosed or has been living with the condition for years, is one of the most important steps.

Teamwork among colleagues to ensure faster diagnoses

Working together with colleagues across the breadth of healthcare disciplines can help to ensure that patients are diagnosed quickly and accurately. The quicker a diagnosis is in place, the quicker treatment and support can begin.

Managing diabetes symptoms

People with diabetes are at a higher risk for wound infection. This is because diabetes can cause nerve damage and poor circulation, which can make it difficult for wounds to heal properly.

People with diabetes should take extra care to ensure that their wounds heal properly. This includes:

Keeping the wound clean and dry
Applying pressure to the wound if it's bleeding
Treating the wound with an antibiotic ointment if it's infected
Seeing a healthcare professional if the wound doesn't heal

World Diabetes Day is an important initiative for raising awareness of diabetes and its complications. By understanding the signs and symptoms of diabetes, we can help our patients receive early diagnosis and treatment. Working together, we can make a difference in the lives of those with diabetes.