Coronavirus: Advice for people living with diabetes
16 June 2020
Here are some helpful tips on what precautions you should take, and what you need to know The World Health Organization (WHO) declared that spread of the coronavirus as a pandemic in March, and and most countries have seen outbreaks. Although the UK is seeing a decline in the number of new cases and hospitalisations, we all still need to be careful and try to reduce the spread of the virus as much as possible. People with diabetes are classed by the NHS and UK Government as 'clinically vulnerable' Although this means someone with diabetes is not required to shield themselves, they are...
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Well equipped for an enjoyable trip
Travelling and going on holiday is what many of us enjoy most of all. From exploring foreign countries, experiencing new cultures, seeing impressive places of interest, and enjoying the variety of local cuisines, having diabetes shouldn’t hold you back. Accu-Chek would like to help you plan a well organised trip, and have a Travel Pack available to give you advice and tips on diabetes and travelling. Provided in the pack is: The Accu-Chek Travel Guide - includes basic information and tips on diabetes and travelling The Accu-Chek Phrase Booklet to help manage language barriers...
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Accu-Chek 360° View tool
Using a structured way of checking blood glucose (for example, the Accu-Chek 360° View tool) could help you reduce your HbA1c and have more meaningful conversations with your healthcare professional during your diabetes appointments.1 Bring more value to your blood glucose values One blood glucose value from a check does not tell you the whole story. When you consistently check at the right time, blood glucose patterns emerge. This can give you a better understanding of the fluctuations in your blood glucose which are linked to your daily habits. If you prefer a paper option, the Accu-Chek...
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What is diabetes?
Diabetes is where blood glucose (or sugar) levels run too high. Diabetes currently affects 425 million adults worldwide and is expected to increase to 649 million by 2045.1 In the UK, there are currently almost 3.7 million people currently diagnosed with diabetes2 and that figure is expected to grow to over five million by 2025.3 There are a few different types of diabetes but the three most common are: Type 1 diabetes Type 1 diabetes occurs when an individual's immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that create insulin.4 It is currently unknown...
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Blood glucose monitoring
If you take certain medication, having knowledge of your blood glucose levels is an integral part of having diabetes. It helps you understand what your blood glucose levels in your body are doing in response to food, exercise and other factors that affect blood glucose. There are a few ways to check your blood glucose levels, these include flash glucose monitoring, continuous glucose monitoring or traditional finger prick checking. It depends on your diabetes and your therapy but if you are on insulin, checking will be part of your day to day routine. What can I use to help...
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Hypos & Hypers
What is hyperglycaemia (hyper)? Hyperglycaemia, or high blood glucose, occurs when blood glucose (or sugar) rises above your usually recommended range. Your healthcare professional will help you determine the best target blood glucose range for you to aim for. High blood glucose can be caused by many things, including: Stress, infection or illness Over treating a hypo (hypoglycaemia) Not taking enough insulin and/or other medications...
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Prescription support
Diabetes UK research has found that people with diabetes are experiencing restrictions accessing test strips and certain blood glucose meters.1 It is important to remember that you know your diabetes, and you need a care plan that works for you, in conjunction with your healthcare professional’s advice. Put ‘joint decision making’ at the heart of your diabetes care. You should have the opportunity to make informed decisions about your care and treatment, in partnership with your healthcare team. The “Value your voice” leaflet highlights why you may have seen your...
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Driving and diabetes
Having diabetes doesn’t automatically mean you cannot drive. There are things you need to know and depending on your diabetes therapy you may need to be monitoring at certain times. Having diabetes requires you to be aware of your condition whilst driving on the road. Great news - giving you a choice of how to check! As of February 2019, the DVLA has changed the rules on driving with insulin treated diabetes.1 If you do have insulin treated diabetes and drive a car or motorcycle (Group 1 licence) you now have a choice how you check blood glucose levels. You can check with...
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Carbohydrate counting tool
Use our handy tool below to find out how carbohydrate counting could benefit you. This interactive training tool covers a wide range of topics to do with carb counting including: The basics of carb counting Factors affecting blood glucose Types of food & carb content 5 ways to count carbs Eating out Quizzes Start now
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Shooting stars: Meet Ricky
27 January 2021
"Dive into the books and learn as much as you can about diabetes". Say hello to Ricky. Ricky not only works for mySugr as a Data Scientist but is also one of our mySugr models living with type 1 diabetes. Ricky was also a member of Team Bike Beyond and cycled across the USA from New York to San Francisco in 2017 showing that anything is possible with type 1. 1. What were your biggest fears/...
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Homemade Hearty Oatmeal recipe
21 January 2021
Looking for a new diabetes breakfast idea? This is the most satisfying Oatmeal recipe you will ever have! This recipe is portioned out for a single serving but can easily be tripled for a quick and easy breakfast menu throughout the week! Although it may sound weird, the egg is the secret ingredient in this recipe! Adding an egg to your oats will pack it with protein and create a creamy consistency. This is great at home or a breakfast on the go. Ingrdients: (1 serving) 1/4 (59ml) cup oats (not instant)...
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Everything you need to know about HbA1c
11 January 2021
Haemoglobin A1c, HbA1c, A1c - you’ve probably heard these terms, but what do they actually mean? Well we’ve put together everything you need to know about HbA1c here. What is HbA1c? Haemoglobin is the part of your blood that carries oxygen and is what gives your blood its red colour. When glucose is processed by your body and enters your bloodstream it is attracted to this haemoglobin and binds...
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Smoked Salmon Salad
18 December 2020
Even as we move into the colder winter months, there is always room for a fresh salad. This smoked salmon salad recipe is great all year round, with fresh leaves and a mix of strong flavours from the feta cheese and salmon, this dish will never get boring. Ingredients (2 services) Salad ingredients: 2 cups (500 ml) spring mix greens 2 Tomatoes 1 Cucumber 1 Avocado 4 oz. (112 g) Smoked Salmon 1/4 cup (59 ml) Feta Cheese to taste 1 Tbsp (15 ml) Extra Virgin Oil 1/4 Cup (59 ml) Rice Vinegar 1/...
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Homemade Diabetes Friendly Hummus Recipe
18 December 2020
Hummus is super easy dish and can be made ahead of time for any event and served throughout the week making it the must have fridge filler! Ingredients (2 services) 1 15 oz (425 g) can of chickpeas 1 clove of garlic 1 tsp (5 ml) of ground cumin 3/4 tsp (3.6 ml) salt 1/2 cup (125 ml) tahini 2 tbsp (30 ml) extra virgin olive oil 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) ground pepper 1 large lemon juiced How to make it: Rinse chickpeas in cold water and let strain. Combine tehini, fresh...
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<h1>Staying healthy over the Christmas period</h1>
17 December 2020
Christmas is a fun filled festive day enjoyed with family and friends. We often associate Christmas with lots of great food and alcohol as we celebrate this joyous occasion as a nation. The temptation for our healthy habits to slide is both alive and alluring. So, here are some hints and tips for staying healthy during the festive period.
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The way people with diabetes eat can improve their health
16 November 2020
There are a huge number of cooking programs available now, which capture the attention of millions of people worldwide. However most people often do not have the time to spend hours in the kitchen every week. In 2020 however, things changed. When the Coronavirus pandemic hit, working from home became the new normal for most people. The restrictions on where people could go and what they could do gave people the opportunity to try new things and have a go at the things they’d never had the time for before. Some people started a new exercise routine, some learnt a...
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The Story Behind World Diabetes Day
6 November 2020
World Diabetes Day (WDD) was created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes. It is marked every year on 14 November, the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who co-discovered insulin along with Charles Best in 1922. WDD is the world’s largest diabetes awareness campaign reaching a global audience of over 1 billion people in more than 160 countries. The campaign draws attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes world and...
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