My Diabetes My Way: March 2024 Update
Welcome to the My Diabetes My Way Newsletter for March 2024.
Stress Awareness
This month we are focusing on stress awareness. Some tips to help when you feel stressed.
Try to get a goodnights sleep: https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/media/2988/how-to-go-to-sleep.pdf
Exercise – even light exercise can lift your mood and it can help you sleep better: https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/know-more/my-lifestyle/activity-exercise
Making healthy choices about your diet can make you feel better in general: https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/know-more/my-lifestyle/diet-food/
Limit alcohol – you may feel like drinking alcohol when times are tough but it doesn't help. Talk to a friend, family member or counsellor – communication helps.
Diabetes and Ramadan
Ramadan 2024 begins on Sunday 10th March and ends on Tuesday 9th April. If you intend to fast during the month of Ramadan and you use insulin or tablets for diabetes treatment, it is advised you seek advice from your health care team due to the long hours of daylight in summer months. Some useful information to help prevent hypo (low) or hyper (high) glycaemia (glucose in the blood) is available via the links below.
Hypoglycaemia: https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/resources/internal/hypoglycaemia/
Blood Glucose Monitoring: https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/resources/internal/blood-glucose-monitoring-and-hba1c-targets/
More information about diabetes and Ramadan can be found at the following links:
Diabetes and Ramadan (leaflet): https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/resources/internal/ramadan/
Diabetes and Ramadan (video): https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/resources/video/diabetes-and-ramadan/
10 Day Ramadan Meal Planner: https://somerset.mydiabetes.com/media/4621/10_day_ramadan_meal_plan_v5.pdf
Diabetes UK Guide: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/ramadan
MyWay Digital Health are also currently hosting a free online course on 'Diabetes and Ramadan'. It is also available in English, Arabic and Malay. To book your place, please visit https://ramadan.mydiabetes.com/
Check Your Address!
It is extremely important that your NHS service providers are aware of your current permanent address at all times. Not only is this required for verifying your details when you register for My Diabetes My Way, but several services rely upon it. For example, your eye screening and clinic appointment letters are currently posted to your address via traditional mail. If you have moved house, you may not receive these letters and miss important screenings and measurements.
Please make sure that you keep your GP informed of any change in your address and this information will be shared with services that are relevant to your care. You can check the address that the NHS currently holds for you by logging in to My Diabetes My Way.
Facebook and X (formerly Twitter)
Please remember, you can keep up-to-date with the latest news and useful information on the My Diabetes My Way Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) pages.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mydiabetesmyway
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mydiabetesmyway
Help and Support
If you have not yet managed to gain access to your diabetes records on My Diabetes My Way, or would like an update on the status of your registration, please let us know. You can contact us regarding any problems or request further help and support by emailing: mydiabetes.myway@nhs.scot
Thank you for your continued support.