Patient Stories
Sharing stories and advice with other people with diabetes can be a useful way of learning, building confidence and inspiring behaviour change.
This section includes patients sharing their experience of living with type 1 diabetes and encourages people to develop their own social support networks.
To find out more about patients' experiences, register for any of our e-learning courses. There is also a list of additional resources about patients' experiences below.
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Worcester Warriors full-back Chris Pennell was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was 19 years old - but that hasn't stopped him from a successful career in the sport that he loves.
When you live with type 1 diabetes, carb counting is a great way of managing your blood sugar or glucose levels. It does take some time and effort to learn, but the control that comes with it can make life much easier.
Erectile dysfunction — the inability to get or maintain an erection firm enough for sex — is common in men who have diabetes. It can stem from damage to nerves and blood vessels caused by poor long-term blood sugar control.
People with diabetes are encouraged to exercise regularly for better blood glucose control and to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Additional benefits of exercise include a healthier heart, better weight control and stress management.
The Qur'an requires Muslims to fast during the month of Ramadan from sunrise to sunset. However, there are exceptions to this. One of them is that people who are ill or have medical conditions do not have to fast. This includes people with diabetes. This information in this film will help you reduce…
Some people with diabetes develop serious complications with their eyes, called diabetic retinopathy. If you don’t get this treated properly, it can lead to sight loss. If eye complications do start to develop, they can nearly always be treated to avoid long-term problems – as long as they’re spotte…
Being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes is usually a big shock and there is an overwhelming amount of information to take in. In this video, people with type 1 diabetes talk about their own diagnosis and the impact that it has had on their lives.
Flash glucose monitors are a way of measuring your blood glucose levels without having to prick your fingers. It is a small sensor that you wear just under your skin and records your glucose (sugar) levels continuously throughout the day and night.
In this video Gary, who has type 1 diabetes, discusses his passion for mountaineering.
Having diabetes means you're at much greater risk of developing foot problems. This is because raised blood glucose, also known as blood sugar, can damage the sensation in your feet. It can also affect your circulation, which can lead to you getting less blood supply to your feet.
A low blood sugar, also called hypoglycaemia or a "hypo" is where the level of sugar (glucose) in your blood drops too low. In this video, healthcare professionals describe what hypoglycaemia is; how it is treated and what can cause it. You will also hear from people with diabetes describe their own…
An insulin pump is a small electronic device that gives your body the regular insulin it needs throughout the day and night. In this video, healthcare professionals explain what it is and how it works, and people with type 1 diabetes discuss their own experiences with insulin pump therapy.
