Your Diabetes Handbook We realise that there is a lot of information to take on board in the first few weeks after diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. This handbook will be a useful guide both now and in the future. Sections are colour and symbol coded, which will allow you to identify the correct section quickly and add pages as required. An index of topics can be found at the front of your folder. Additional pages will be added as and when required in order to individualise your handbook. The Diabetes Team The Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh 2018 Diabetes Team, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, NHS Lothian Funded by donations from the RHSC Edinburgh Diabetes Fund Designed by Julie Robinson, Graphic Design Services, Information Services, The University of Edinburgh www.ed.ac.uk/is/graphic-design
Index Introduction to Diabetes Food and Drink Going Home Hypoglycaemia Clinic Sick Day Management Day-to-Day Diabetes Management Exercise and Sport Additional Support Travel, Leisure and Holidays Insulin Pumps Adolescent Diabetes Service Psychology Support
Contact List for Diabetes Team, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh Diabetes Nurse Specialists 0131 536 0375 (please leave message on answer phone) Diabetes Dietitians 0131 536 0400 (please leave message on answer phone) Diabetes Ward Emergency Helpline 0131 536 0701 or 0131 536 0704 Diabetes Secretary 0131 536 0611 Royal Hospital for Sick Children (switchboard) 0131 536 0000 Diabetes Team email Diabetes.RHC&YP@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk RHSC, Edinburgh Diabetes Team website www.edinburghdiabetes.com
Diabetes Team Members Medical Staff Dr Louise Bath Dr Harriet Miles Dr Daniela Elleri Dr Sarah Kiff Dr Kathryn Noyes Associate Specialist Dr Rod Mitchell Dr Raj Rashid Dietitians Caitriona Tulloch Leigh Owens Bethany Cairns Dietitians Telephone Number - See contact list
Psychologists Dr Sarah Ross Dr Andrew Gentil Diabetes Nurse Specialists Anna Freeden Elaine Hogg Morag McDonald Fiona McKenzie Cheryl Payne Jan Maxwell Diabetes Nurse Specialist contact number (see contact list): (Mon-Fri, answering machine) For urgent advice please contact: Emergency Help Line (see contact list) Senior Practitioner Children and Families Social Work Team Senior Secretary Louise Miller Marion Henderson
Glossary Basal insulin Bolus insulin Blood glucose (BG) Carbohydrate (carbs) Coeliac disease Glucagen kit Glucose Glycosuria Glycosylated haemoglobin HbA1c Hormone Hyperglycaemia Hypoglycaemia or hypo Hypothyroidism Insulin Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) Ketones Microalbuminuria This is the background or long acting insulin This is the very fast acting insulin given at mealtimes to cover carbohydrate intake The level or concentration of glucose in the blood One of the three main energy-giving nutrients in foods, composed mainly of sugars and starches A condition where there is an intolerance to wheat in the diet A box containing a syringe of fluid and a vial of glucagon powder to be injected to treat a severe hypo A sugar which is the main source of energy for the body The presence of glucose in the urine See HbA1c A blood test that measures how much glucose is attached to red cells in the blood. It gives a measure of the average blood glucose mainly over the previous 6-8 weeks. A chemical substance produced by one of the glands in the body. Hormones are carried by the blood to other cells in the body, to give messages to the cells. The messages have an effect on the function of other cells. A high blood glucose level A low blood glucose level <4 mmol/l Too low a level of thyroid hormone in the blood A hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas which keeps the glucose level of the blood constant during the day and night A serious and potentially life-threatening condition, caused by a lack of insulin and a build-up of ketones in the blood Acid chemicals which are formed when body fat is broken down to make energy Very small amounts of protein in the urine GLOSSARY PAGE 1
mmol/l mmol/mol Pancreas Partial remission phase or honeymoon period Subcutaneous Units of measurement of blood glucose and ketone levels Units of measurement of HbA1c A large gland situated near the stomach which produces digestive enzymes, insulin and other hormones A period of time during which the pancreas of someone who has recently been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes continues to make some insulin In the layer of fat tissue under the skin > Symbol meaning more than e.g. >15 mmol/l means more than 15 mmol/l (i.e. 15.1 mmol/l or any higher value) Symbol meaning more than or equal to e.g. 15 mmol/l means more than or equal to 15 mmol/l (i.e. any value of 15 mmol/l or higher) < Symbol meaning less than e.g. <6 mmol/l means less than 6 mmol/l i.e. any value up to 5.9 mmol/l) Symbol meaning less than or equal to e.g. 6 mmol/l means less than or equal to 6 mmol/l (any value of 6 mmol/l or lower) GLOSSARY PAGE 2