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Advice Booklets
Man talk
Man Talk - Whether you have diabetes or not, erectile dysfunction is a really common condition, and many men will experience it at some point in their life.
There are many names for this condition including impotence, erectile dysfunction or ED, but it is basically when a man is unable to get or keep an erection suitable for sexual intercourse.
What do you know about HbA1C
The HbA1C test is a blood test for people with diabetes. It measures your average blood glucose level over 2 to 3 months and is an important part of how your diabetes is managed. The HbA1C test is done by your doctor or nurse and it helps to show how well your blood glucose levels are being controlled month after month.
This booklet explains HbA1C, and how you can use your test results to make sure you stay in control of your diabetes in the long-term.
When Diabetes Gets You Down
New treatments, constant testing, clinic visits, other problems....
Living with diabetes isn't always straightforward. It's no wonder that the day-to-day stress of coping with diabetes affects so many people and gets them down.
However, although you didn't choose to have diabetes, you do have a say in how you feel about and deal with your condition.
This booklet helps to explain what depression and 'diabetes burnout' is, the signs to look out for and how to help beat it.
The Low down on Hypos
Unfortunately, hypos are a part of life wirh diabetes. But even though most people with diabetes have to deal with them, it's not always easy to get good, clear information on what causes them, what the warning signs are and what you should do when you have one.
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Giving Your Finger Tips a Rest from Testing
Fingertip testing -it's pain, but it's the best way to test your blood sugar. Fingertips have the freshest supply of blood, so the reading is more likely to be up-to-the-minute and accurate. But with the right meter and a little know-how, you could test other areas of the body that are a little less sensitive instead.
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Getting Behind the Wheel
Whether you drive for fun, convenience or work, having diabetes doesn’t mean you have to give up driving – but it does mean you have to be well prepared and well controlled. There are, however, some important legal and health issues you should know about.
This booklet will help highlight some of the key issues you may face and will also give you a few hints and tips to keep you on the road and hazard-free. So, read on and happy motoring!
Tips for Exotic Eating
Whether your cultural roots are in another country, or you simply have adventurous taste buds, eating exotic foods is no different to eating any other. It’s still important that you eat healthily and keep meals low in fats and salt.
If you have diabetes you will, however, need to take extra care, especially looking after your heart, your waistline and keeping an eye on the carbohydrates you eat.
This booklet will help you tuck into some of the key issues you may face at mealtimes.
The Inside Story on Diabetes
Diabetes, or diabetes mellitus to give it its full name, is where the body loses the ability to control sugar properly. People get diabetes for many different reasons and it can affect anyone, at any age. Although no-one really knows what causes it, we do know it can be linked to being overweight, inactive and can also be more common in certain ethnic groups.
This booklet will help introduce you to some of the key topics, and advise you on the day-to-day realities of living with diabetes.
Time to Test
Going for a jog, drinks after work, eating out or a sneaky midnight snack; these are things most people take for granted, unless you have diabetes. Doing unplanned exercise, drinking alcohol and missing meals can mean problems with your blood sugar. But while high blood sugar levels are linked to health problems later in life, low levels can give you a hypo. Only by keeping your blood sugar under control can you greatly reduce the risk of ill health now and in the future.
Blood sugar testing is an important way of keeping an eye on what’s going on – and an essential tool for managing your diabetes.
Planning a Pregnancy
If you are planning a pregnancy, then good blood glucose control before and during pregnancy can improve your chances of a safe and successful outcome for both you and your baby.
This booklet provides useful information on lowering risks for both you and your baby, diet and lifestyle and blood glucose control.
Taking the sting out of testing
If you're one of the many people who need to test your blood sugar every day, testing can be a big deal and you probably have lots of questions to ask. Which finger pricker is best? Is there anything to help sore fingertips? How can I make testing easier?
This booklet helps to answer some of those common testing-related questions, packed with tips and advice, it updates you about many things you can do to help make testing more comfortable and hopefully less of a pain.