My Diabetes My Way: May 2024 Update
Welcome to the My Diabetes My Way Newsletter for May 2024.
Mental Health Awareness
Living with diabetes daily can be tough and take its toll on your mental health. May sees a focus on mental health with a week (Monday 13th May to Sunday 19th May) specifically dedicated to encouraging everyone to ensure that they are taking care of their mental wellbeing.
The theme this year is Movement for Improved Mental Health. Many clinics will have specific questionnaires regarding quality of life and satisfaction with treatment for you to complete at your annual diabetes review. These give healthcare professionals a tool to measure mental wellbeing and provide appropriate interventions.
There are several changes that you can make to help improve your mental wellbeing:
• Getting out in nature particularly in the sunshine
• Aiming for a good night’s sleep https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/media/2988/how-to-go-to-sleep.pdf
• A conversation with a trusted friend or a healthcare professional
• A healthy balanced diet https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/know-more/my-lifestyle/diet-food/
• Alcohol limits within the recommended weekly limits
• Compliance with any treatment prescribed by a healthcare professional
• Increasing exercise that you enjoy, e.g. walking, dancing, chair exercises https://mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/know-more/my-lifestyle/activity-exercise
If you feel that your mental health is deteriorating, you should always seek advice from your healthcare team.
In The News - The Artificial Pancreas
There has been a lot in the news recently regarding an artificial pancreas as a treatment for people with diabetes. It’s not a transplant but the artificial pancreas is a combination of a continuous glucose monitor which links with an insulin pump so that the correct amount of insulin is given to keep blood glucose within limits. A group of diabetes healthcare professionals from across the country are working together to create a rollout plan for Scottish patients. This technology is suitable for Type 1 patients only and we are sure there will be more news about this exciting development soon.
Course of the Month
This is a new feature in which one of our eLearning courses will be promoted each month. This month its one for those patients who are considering changing from injections to an insulin pump:
https://elearning.mydiabetesmyway.scot.nhs.uk/courses/pre-insulin-pump-course/
Understanding Type 2 Diabetes
MyWay Digital Health are also running a new online course for "Understanding Type 2 Diabetes" opening on 22nd May. This course covers everything you need to know about type 2 diabetes, including what type 2 is, how it is managed, dietary and lifestyle advice, type 2 remission and how diabetes can affect you in the long-term.
There is something for everyone, whether you are a person with diabetes, a healthcare professional or a family member looking to learn more about the condition.
Find out more and enrol at https://understandingtype2.mydiabetes.com/
Note: There are 2 modules available for this course. Both provide all you need to know about diabetes however the ‘Cultural Education Course’ is tailored to Black African, South Asian and Arabic communities with relevant dietary and lifestyle information.
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.