My Diabetes My Way: November 2024 Update
Welcome to the My Diabetes My Way Newsletter for November 2024.
World Diabetes Day 2024
November 14th is World Diabetes Day and the theme this year is Diabetes and Wellbeing. It is estimated that there are 537 million people living with diabetes globally and almost 50% of diabetes is undiagnosed. World Diabetes Day is a global occasion for people with diabetes, healthcare professionals, advocates, policy makers and the public to unite and raise awareness of and take action on diabetes. Get involved and support the call for wellbeing to be put at the heart of diabetes care. The psychological effects of diabetes can be difficult to manage for some people and may need to be prioritised in their healthcare appointments.
You can also get involved by taking a global Diabetes and Wellbeing survey at the following link: https://worlddiabetesday.org/well-being-survey/
Assess Your Mental Wellbeing
My Diabetes My Way now contains three questionnaires that allow you to assess mental health, wellbeing and anxiety. The aim of these questionnaires is to allow you to self-assess areas where you may benefit from talking to your healthcare team. When you complete these assessments, we will provide you with a summary that explains your result, further guidance on what you can do next, and links to information that may help you.
When you log in to My Diabetes My Way and select "My Home Data", you will see the three assessments:
1. Mental Health Test: Indicates if you are suffering from, or are at risk of depression
2. Wellbeing Test: Assesses your general wellbeing and how you are feeling
3. Anxiety Test: Indicates if you may be suffering from anxiety
You can use these questionnaires to take to your appointments and help guide the discussion with your healthcare team.
Winter Vaccines
As the clocks change and we approach winter, we would recommend that you check that your Flu and Covid vaccinations are up to date. When you are getting your winter vaccines, it is advisable to avoid the area around your sensor if you have a continuous glucose monitor. If you experience redness and swelling around the injection site, it may affect your sensor if they are in close proximity. Ideally, have your injections in the other arm. Increasing your fluid intake after your injections should minimise any side effects from the vaccines. More information on winter vaccines can be found here: https://www.nhsinform.scot/winter-vaccines/
Free Type 1 Online Course
My Way Digital Health are running their Type 1 & Physical Activity course in November. It starts on 20th November and includes a live Q&A at 6pm (GMT) that evening. This course is designed to empower people living with Type 1 diabetes by providing tailored knowledge and strategies to safely engage in physical activity. You will learn how exercise impacts blood sugar, how to manage insulin, and develop skills for optimising both health and performance. Whether you are new to exercise or a seasoned athlete, this course equips you with practical tools to maintain balance and lead an active, healthy lifestyle. 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 topic. Find out more & register at https://understandingtype1.mydiabetes.com/
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.