We are proud to announce our new partnership with Diabetes UK. The partnership aims to help support people currently living with diabetes, as well as those at increased risk of type 2 diabetes across the UK.
With 4.9 million people living in the UK with diabetes and an estimated 13.6 million people at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, providing clear information and accessible guidance is crucial.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition that causes high levels of glucose (a type of sugar) in your blood. This is because of a problem with a hormone called insulin your pancreas produces. Insulin moves glucose from your bloodstream and into the cells of your body for energy. If your body doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use the insulin it makes, glucose stays in the bloodstream and can’t move across into your cells to give them energy to work properly.
What are the types of diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes happens when your body cannot make insulin. This type most commonly affects children and young adults, and is a result of your body’s immune system attacking the cells that produce insulin in the pancreas. 1 in 10 people with diabetes are Type 1.
Type 2 diabetes happens when your pancreas isn’t making enough insulin or your body can no longer use the insulin it makes.
Type 2 diabetes is much more common than Type 1 and tends to develop gradually as people get older – usually after the age of 40. But more and more people every year are being diagnosed at a much younger age. It’s closely linked with:
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being overweight, especially if you carry weight around your middle
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being physically inactive
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a family history of Type 2 diabetes.
Some ethnic groups have a much higher rate of diabetes – particularly people of South Asian and African Caribbean origin.
Are you at risk?
Whilst there is nothing that can be done to prevent Type 1 diabetes, there are regular treatments available such as insulin injections, to maintain the glucose levels in the bloodstream. With the right treatment and care, the effects of diabetes and high glucose levels can be managed successfully, and you can live a healthy life.
For type 2 diabetes, genetics can be a factor. However, there are ways to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by living a healthy lifestyle. Examples include exercising, managing your weight, limiting alcohol intake, stopping smoking and eating a balanced diet.
There are many symptoms of diabetes, these may include:
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Having to urinate a lot
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Extreme thirst
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Severe tiredness
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Weight loss
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Infections such as thrush
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Slow healing for wounds
If you have experienced any of these symptoms or know someone who has, we would advise you to speak to your GP.
How are we supporting Diabetes UK?
To help support Diabetes UK, we’ll be sponsoring the charity’s helpline, as well as aiming to raise funds for the charity's vital work.
Through this new partnership, we are helping Diabetes UK provide frontline support to thousands of people each year, with the helpline acting as a first port of call for extensive information on the condition as well as emotional support for those living with diabetes, their families and anyone else whose lives are affected.
Phil Day, Superintendent Pharmacist of Pharmacy2U “As the UK’s largest online pharmacy supporting over half a million patients with their NHS repeat prescriptions, diabetes affects many of our patients and their loved ones. We are committed to delivering positive patient outcomes, which is why we’ll be sponsoring Diabetes UK’s helpline.”
With the right education, care and support, people with diabetes can live healthy lives. But without it, diabetes can lead to serious complications such as amputations, strokes and heart attacks. There is no known cure for any type of diabetes.
Further Resources
If you, or someone you know, are looking for diabetes support or advice, Diabetes UK have lots of information and resources to help you:
To contact the Diabetes UK helpline, call 0345 123 2399 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm) or email: helpline@diabetes.org.uk. If you’re in Scotland, call 0141 212 8710 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm) or email helpline.scotland@diabetes.org.uk.
