Life with diabetes

Being diagnosed with diabetes, or knowing someone who is diagnosed with the condition, may throw up many questions about how it fits into your daily life, from how it makes you feel, to managing diabetes at work, or while you are driving.

Here we've got information to help you manage all of this, starting with how to talk about diabetes and some tips on having those conversations.

Talking about diabetes

Talking about diabetes can be tricky, awkward, difficult, funny, and everything in between. From telling someone you’ve just met about your diabetes, to trying to explain carb counting to relatives, or avoiding that conversation with your doctor – we want to make it easier for you to have those conversations.

Conversation tips

We've written some top tips to help you get started:

• Talking to your friends and family
• Talking to your healthcare professional
• Talking to your colleagues and employer
• Talking to someone with diabetes

Your emotions

Being diagnosed with diabetes and living with the condition can sometimes feel overwhelming – this is quite normal. In this section, find out more about how diabetes may affect your emotions and how you feel.

Free prescriptions

If you use insulin or medicine to manage your diabetes you're entitled to free prescriptions – but those under 60 and living in England must have a medical exemption certificate before you can claim them.

Dealing with illness

It’s important to know how to manage insulin or other diabetes medications, blood or urine tests, and diet during illness.

Travel

Diabetes is no barrier to travelling, as long as you make the right preparations. In this section, you’ll find out about things to check before you go, what to consider when you’re flying, travelling to hot and cold climates, and eating different foods.

Insurance

Some people with diabetes have found it difficult to arrange insurance – including life assurance, income protection and family income benefit insurance, or travel insurance. This section aims to give you some information that can help.

Employment

Whether you're taking your first step onto the job ladder or looking to change jobs, having diabetes shouldn’t get in the way. This section covers employment equality law, applying for jobs and managing diabetes at work.

Driving

Having diabetes doesn’t mean you have to give up driving, but it’s important to plan in advance before you get behind the wheel.

Sex

Sex is an important part of relationships for adults of all ages, but levels of sexual desire can vary and change over time. Find out more about what to do when you’re experiencing sexual problems, and how to identify, discuss and treat sexual dysfunction.

Pregnancy

Deciding to have children is a big decision and when you have diabetes, it requires a lot more thought and careful planning. In this section, find out all you need to know about planning to have a baby.

Help with giving up smoking

If you smoke, giving up is one of the best things you can do to improve your health and reduce your risk of long-term diabetes complications. Here, we give you information on where to get support.

Diabulimia

Diabulimia is an eating disorder that is thought to affect 40 per cent of all women between the ages of 15-30 with Type 1 diabetes. Find out more about the condition, and where to seek help for yourself or someone you know.

Diabetes burnout

There’s no off-switch with diabetes, so it’s no surprise that people living with the condition, or caring for someone who has it, can experience diabetes burnout. Find out more.

Hypo anxiety

Hypos aren’t nice, and feeling anxious about them is a completely normal reaction. Dr Jen Nash gives some advice on managing hypo anxiety and where to find help.