Health Expert topic - Diabetes

This month’s expert is Mary Coffey, who was the Clinical Nurse Specialist for Diabetes in the National Maternity Hospital for many years, before volunteering with Diabetes Ireland. 

The risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes increases with age. You may have Diabetes for many years without knowing it and the earlier you are diagnosed the better your health will be.

If you have Diabetes your body is unable to balance your sugar levels. High sugar levels can cause damage to Eyes, Kidneys, Heart and Feet and is associated with High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol.

There are three main ways to manage Type 2 Diabetes guided by your GP or Diabetes Team

1. Lifestyle

2. Tablets

3. Injections

These are steps you can take to keep yourself healthy:

1. Try to achieve a healthy weight. If you are overweight even a small weight loss will improve your health and help to reduce the risk of developing diabetes.

2. Keep active – a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise at least 5 days weekly is recommended

3. Eat Healthy Foods

For more info, go to www.diabetesireland.ie   Look at ‘Downloads’ and then ‘Patient Booklets’ for a wealth of information.

https://www.diabetes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Healthy-Eating-for-people-with-Type-2-diabetes-2017-AC.pdf

https://www.diabetes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Pre-diabetes-booklet-june2017.pdf

https://www.diabetes.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Exercise-booklet-jan-2013.pdf