It’s Diabetes Awareness Month! Let's join together to increase awareness and show our support for individuals living with diabetes. In this article, we'll provide some suggestions on how you can get involved.
Symptoms of Diabetes
Diabetes UK estimates that 850,000 people may be living with undiagnosed diabetes. To prevent long-term complications, it's crucial to raise awareness about the common symptoms of diabetes.
While Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes differ, they share several symptoms, including:
Frequent urination, particularly at night.
Excessive thirst and a constant need for water.
Persistent fatigue and low energy levels.
Unexplained weight loss.
Blurred vision.
As a healthcare professional, you can help raise awareness of these symptoms among patients, family, and friends, stressing the importance of seeking prompt medical attention if any of these signs are present.
Donate
Show your support for Diabetes Awareness Month by contributing to a charitable cause! Visit the Diabetes UK website to explore various donation options. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
Participate in a sponsored run.
Host a pub quiz and invite your colleagues.
Include a donation link in your email signature.
Promote diabetes research or support a charity of your choice through social media.
Start a bucket collection at your workplace (you could sweeten the deal with cupcakes!).
Help in reducing the stigma
As a healthcare professional, you’re probably pretty clued up on the differences between type 1, type 2, gestational diabetes and so on. This knowledge is power so make sure to call friends and family out on any misconceptions or myths they might be spreading about diabetes (often born out of ignorance rather than malice, of course!). As a type 1 diabetic myself, I find questions such as ‘are you allowed to eat that?’ or ‘did you eat too much chocolate as a child?’ rather irksome and at times, hurtful, because they undermine the challenges I (and the rest of the type 1 community) face on a daily basis. Even if people are joking around, I feel strongly about educating people about the cause of diabetes and the harsh reality of living with such an invasive and serious condition.
Knowledge is a powerful tool, so let's continue educating others about the realities of living with diabetes and fostering an understanding of the different diabetes types this National Diabetes Month!
Looking for a new nursing gig? Give MCM Medical a call on 0203 929 4010 today.
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