Diabetes can affect and be affected by many other health problems and situation. Trying to prevent problems and complications can be discussed at your diabetes appointments and knowing what to do in certain situations can prevent the problems getting worse.
Please look after your feet Diabetic Foot disease. If you develop an Ulcer in your foot then you should not delay treatment.
If you develop any sudden change in vision then contact a local optometrist, preferably your own one and ask for an urgent NHS appointment. It is important to indicate to local optometrist’s reception staff that this is an appointment to check for diabetic eye disease possibly affecting their vision, not a routine appointment to check whether new glasses are needed. To find your optician search on the Scottish Services Directory
Hypoglycaemia leaflet by TREND – For advice about how to treat and prevent low blood glucose levels.
Key Points
Always take some treatment for hypos with you
- Treat any Glucose level as a hypo if less than 4 mmol/l
- Recheck your levels 10 – 15 mins after you had a quick acting carbohydrate to ensure glucose levels are more than 4
- Have a long acting carbohydrate to prevent further hypos
- Consider why you went low and how to prevent it happening again
Sick Day Rules for Type 1 Diabetes leaflet by NHS Grampian. For advice on how to treat high blood glucose levels and ketones when you are unwell, with a personalized section to write down your insulin doses when for when you are unwell.
- Make sure you have adequate supplies of Insulin
- Blood glucose and ketone monitoring equipment
- Insulin Pump and sensor supplies if you are using these currently
- Make sure they are in date
- Never stop your insulin
- Check for Ketones if blood glucose os over 14 or you feel unwell
- Sip sugar free fluids
- If you start vomiting or can’t control your blood glucose or ketones – seek emergency help
Sick Day Rules for Type 2 Diabetes leaflet by TREND. For advice about looking after yourself when you are ill and have Type 2 Diabetes
Key Points:
- Know which medications you may need more of and which you may need to stop
- Keep well hydrated
- Treat symptoms
Seek professional help if :
If you are pregnant
If you have persistent vomiting and are unable to keep fluids down
If you become drowsy and breathless
If you have acute abdominal pain
If your condition worsens despite following the advice given in this leaflet
Some medications called “SGLT -2 inhibitors” can put you at risk of developing diabetic ketoacidosis.
Please read this leaflet if you take an SGLT-2 inhibitor, for example Canagliflozin (Invokana), Empagliflozin (Jardiance) , Dapagliflozin (Forxiga)
NHS Grampian leaflet with information on what to do if you feel unwell
Sick Days and other medicines leaflet by NHS Scotland. Advice about which other medications may need to be stopped if your illness may cause dehydration
Other Conditions
For information on how to look after your feet, please click here
For information on caring for your eyes, please click here
For more information on looking after your kidneys, please click here.
For information on what to do when you need to go to hospital, click here.
For information on pregnancy and diabetes, click here.
For information on dental care, click here.