My Diabetes My Way: March 2025 update
Welcome to the My Diabetes My Way Newsletter for March 2025. The length of day is increasing and with snowdrops appearing around the country, it feels like Spring is on its way.
My Diabetes My Way Patient Advisory Group
Our Patient Advisory Group is actively seeking new members to join them. You can contribute to the strategic direction of My Diabetes My Way, help us prioritise developments and ensure that everyone can easily find the information they require to effectively manage their diabetes. If you are interested in joining this group, please email mydiabetes.myway@nhs.scot to let us know. For more information, please see the following message from Interim Chair, Dave Garrell: https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/for-you/news/my-diabetes-my-way-patient-advisory-group/
Smoking and Diabetes
Smoking is a major risk factor for both cardiovascular conditions and various types of cancer in the whole population. In people with diabetes, this risk is increased further. Stopping smoking is one of the most significant changes that people can make to improve their health and even if it takes several attempts before managing to stop successfully, it is always beneficial. Please speak to your local healthcare team or GP practice if you need help or support to stop. Some patients have used vapes (eCigarettes) to help them stop and this can be beneficial as they contain less toxic chemicals than tobacco. However, vaping should not be seen as a ‘safe’ alternative to cigarettes as there is limited data available on the long-term effects on health.
Passive smoking can also have an effect on health, so if you have a smoker in your household, please encourage them to smoke outside rather than inside and if smoking inside, have windows open to promote air exchange so that the smoke is not lingering in the air.
There is lots more information on our website about smoking and diabetes:
Diabetes and Smoking Video: https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/resources/video/diabetes-and-smoking/
Smoking and Diabetes Video:
https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/resources/video/smoking-and-diabetes/
Vaping and Diabetes Leaflet:
https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/resources/internal/vaping-and-diabetes/
Sleep and Diabetes
A good night’s sleep is important for both our physical and mental health. The recommended sleep duration for adults is at least 7 hours. Sleep allows our organs time to repair and recharge. People with diabetes can complain about poor sleep patterns and this is usually due to fluctuations in blood sugar or complications such as diabetic neuropathy in feet causing pain. It is always worthwhile speaking to your diabetes healthcare team if your sleep pattern is erratic and often disturbed as they may be able to suggest some solutions. There is more information about sleep and diabetes at the link below:
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/life-with-diabetes/sleep-and-diabetes
Oral Health and Diabetes
March 20th was World Oral Health Day. Keeping your teeth and gums healthy and infection-free is essential for good health. The link between diabetes and good oral health includes the following points:
High blood sugar weakens white blood cells, making it harder to maintain oral health.
People with diabetes are more prone to gum disease, bad breath, tooth loss, dry mouth, and oral thrush.
Diabetes can reduce blood supply to the gums and bones, increasing the risk of cavities and infections.
Gum disease can also affect blood sugar control in the body.
We have recently added more information about diabetes and oral health to our website and this can be found at the links below:
Diabetes and Gum Disease:
https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/resources/external/diabetes-and-gum-disease-1/
Diabetes and Maintaining Good Oral Health:
https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/resources/external/diabetes-and-maintaining-good-oral-health/
Further New Content
We have been reviewing all our information sections on the website and have some new additions. Check out our new resources on diabetes and tattoos, piercings and cosmetic surgery. The links to these new sections are below:
Tattoos and Piercings with Diabetes:
https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/resources/external/tattoos-and-piercings-with-diabetes/
Diabetes and Cosmetic Surgery:
https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/resources/external/diabetes-and-cosmetic-surgery/
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
X (formerly 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.