Monday 14-11-2022 - 09:55

Diabetes. There, I’ve said it. I think it’s a word we often shy away from saying around students and younger people. Why is this I wonder? Is it because we associate this disease with simply being overweight or because we automatically think you must pass 50 to be eligible to develop diabetes? Well, that’s exactly what I am going to try and break down today. Diabetes can affect anyone, no matter your age, weight, or health. It's often considered an invisible illness, because you can never tell somebody's diabetic status just by looking at them. 

Almost 7,000 children and young people in the UK are living with diabetes. For a disease which a lot of people think only affects older people, that is a startling figure. We need more people to know about this so we can finally start taking diabetes in the younger population seriously. The only way to break down the stigma of diabetes is to talk about it openly. 

 

I come from a personal standpoint when discussing diabetes. Within my family, there are numerous people who are living with diabetes, and this has always made me consider how likely it might be that I could develop it in the future. I have been told that now is the prime time to sort out my health because the older I get, the more likely I am to suffer health complications. I have also been able to see first-hand the effects it can have on people who are living with it and how they need to adapt some of their day-to-day activities to better support their health-related needs.

For someone coming to university for the first time, Freshers’ week can be a daunting prospect regardless of who you are. However, if you are living with diabetes, this prospect can be 1000 times scarier. For one, there a lot more things which you need to think about which someone who does not have diabetes wouldn’t even have to consider. Most events are centred around alcohol, so there is often an added pressure to drink more than you usually would. Alcohol can affect people with diabetes in ways different to those without diabetes. You don’t have to let your diabetes hold you back, but your limits may be different to that of others, so it is important to know so that you can take advantage of the opportunities to the absolute best of your ability.

 

There are two forms of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is where the body's immune system attacks and destroys the cells that produce insulin. If someone has type 1 diabetes, they will be taking insulin to control your blood sugar levels. They will also have to be testing their blood glucose levels regularly. Another important element of managing this type is that carbohydrates will have to be counted from both food and drink.

 

Meanwhile, Type 2 diabetes is where the body does not produce enough insulin, or the body's cells do not react to insulin.  Type 2 is the more common form of diabetes. People with Type 2 diabetes need to eat a healthy diet and be active. These things will make it easier to manage weight, alongside the other symptoms of diabetes. But quite often people with type 2 also need to take medication. These medications include tablets as well as insulin.

Most importantly, if you are a student at university who is living with diabetes, you need to make sure you are registered with a local GP surgery. It is good to get in contact with them to speak to a specialist diabetes nurse, who will be your point of call throughout your time at university for any health-related matters. The two main surgeries in Ormskirk are Beacon Primary Care and Ormskirk Medical Practice.
 
Diabetes UK is also a national charity which specialises in supporting people living with both Type 1 and Type 2. They have an online support service, which includes a helpline manned by trained advisors. They also run local support groups, with the nearest to Edge Hill University being in St Helens & District, which can be accessed from Ormskirk via public transport.

 

This article was contributed by Arts & Sciences President Jack Richardson.