Arden, Herefordshire & Worcestershire Diabetic Eye Screening Programme

15/11/2025

🩺 Diabetes Awareness Month – Daily Fact 💙
World Diabetes Day: From Despair to Hope 💙

In 1922, at the University of Toronto, scientists made one of the most life-changing medical breakthroughs in history — the discovery of insulin.

Before this discovery, a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes was a death sentence, especially for children. Strict starvation diets could only delay the inevitable.

🔍 The Moment That Changed Everything:
➡️ Scientists Dr. Frederick Banting, Charles Best, James Collip, and John Macleod entered a hospital ward filled with children in diabetic comas.
➡️ One by one, they injected the children with the new purified extract — insulin.
➡️ As they finished treating the last child, the first began to awaken — followed by the others.
➡️ A ward once filled with sorrow became a place of joy, relief, and hope.

✅ Why This Matters:
1️⃣ The discovery of insulin transformed diabetes from a fatal illness into a manageable condition.
2️⃣ It remains a lifeline for millions of people with diabetes around the world today.
3️⃣ This moment reminds us how science, compassion, and innovation can change lives.

📌 World Diabetes Day, celebrated every year on November 14th, honours this discovery and raises awareness to ensure everyone with diabetes has access to care, education, and support.

14/11/2025

14/11/2025

🌍💙 Happy World Diabetes Day 2025!! – Diabetes and Well-being at Work 💙🌍

November 14th | “Know More and Do More for Diabetes at Work”

Today, we unite across the globe to recognise World Diabetes Day — an annual campaign raising awareness about one of the world’s fastest-growing health challenges.

This year’s focus — “Diabetes and Well-being: Know More and Do More for Diabetes at Work” — highlights the impact of diabetes in the workplace and the importance of creating supportive, inclusive environments for everyone.

🔍 Why World Diabetes Day Matters:
➡️ Established by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the World Health Organization (WHO), it’s a global call to action to:

Improve the prevention, diagnosis, and management of diabetes.

Raise awareness of diabetes as a critical public health issue.

Ensure equitable access to affordable, quality care and treatment for all.

Promote education and self-management to help people live healthy, long lives and avoid serious complications like blindness, kidney failure, and heart disease.

💼 Let’s make the workplace part of the solution:
✔️ Encourage open conversations about diabetes and well-being.
✔️ Support flexible work arrangements for diabetes management.
✔️ Foster awareness through health checks, wellness programmes, and education.

💙 Together, we can build healthier workplaces and communities — where everyone has the support and understanding they need to thrive.

13/11/2025

🩺 Diabetes Awareness Month – Daily Facts 💙
Diabetes in the UK: The Numbers 💙

Diabetes is one of the fastest-growing health challenges in the UK — affecting millions and continuing to rise every year.

🔍 The Facts You Should Know:
➡️ 5.8 million people in the UK are currently living with diabetes — the highest number on record.
➡️ Around 90% have Type 2 diabetes, 8% have Type 1, and the rest have rarer forms.
➡️ An estimated 1.3 million people are living with undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes.
➡️ Over 6 million adults are at high risk of developing diabetes (prediabetes).
➡️ That means 1 in 5 adults in the UK are living with diabetes or prediabetes.

✅ Why This Matters:
1️⃣ Early detection prevents complications like heart disease, kidney damage, and vision loss.
2️⃣ Lifestyle changes — balanced diet, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight — can dramatically lower Type 2 risk.
3️⃣ Awareness reduces stigma and encourages testing, especially in high-risk groups.

📌 Take Action:
If you’re unsure of your risk, take the free online “Know Your Risk” test from Diabetes UK. Knowledge is power — and prevention starts with awareness.

12/11/2025

🩺 Diabetes Awareness Month – Daily Facts 💙
Diabetic Maculopathy: Protecting Your Central Vision 💙
Diabetic maculopathy is a complication of diabetic retinopathy that affects the macula, the part of the eye responsible for sharp, central vision. It can lead to serious vision loss if untreated.

🔍 What Happens?
➡️ High blood sugar damages tiny blood vessels in the retina.
➡️ Fluid leaks into the macula, causing swelling (macular oedema).
➡️ This blurs central vision, making reading and recognising faces difficult.

✅ Key Facts:
• It’s one of the leading causes of vision impairment in people with diabetes.
• Often develops gradually - regular eye screening is essential.
• Good blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol control can reduce risk.

📌 Early detection saves sight! Attend your diabetic eye screening appointments and report any changes in vision promptly.

11/11/2025

🩺 Diabetes Awareness Month – Daily Fact 💙
Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA): A Serious Diabetes Emergency 💙
DKA happens when the body doesn’t have enough insulin to use glucose for energy. Instead, it breaks down fat, producing ketones that make the blood acidic. This can be life-threatening if not treated quickly.

🔍 Why Is It Dangerous?
➡️ DKA can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and even coma.
➡️ It’s most common in type 1 diabetes, but can occur in type 2 during illness or stress.

✅ Know the 5 Key Warning Signs – The 5 Ts:
1️⃣ Thirst – Extreme thirst and dry mouth
2️⃣ Toilet – Frequent urination
3️⃣ Tired – Unusual fatigue or weakness
4️⃣ Thinner – Sudden unexplained weight loss
5️⃣ Test – High blood sugar and ketones
📌 If you notice these signs, seek urgent medical help. DKA is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.

11/11/2025

👁️ Mass Eye Screening at Worcestershire County Cricket Club! 🏏

Today we held a mass eye screening event at Worcester Cricket Club - and as always, it was a huge success! 💙

We received amazing feedback from both patients and staff, and it was wonderful to see our whole team working together to make a difference. A big thank you to Diabetes UK - Midlands and East of England for joining us, and to our Engagement Officer for setting up a fantastic World Diabetes Day display. 🌍💉

Today we were also remembering our colleague Julie, who sadly passed away last week. 💐 In her memory, we were raising money for St Richard's Hospice, to help them continue providing free, compassionate care for patients and their loved ones across Worcestershire. 💖

Events like this remind us how powerful community collaboration can be in promoting eye health and diabetes awareness. 👓✨

10/11/2025

🩺 Diabetes Awareness Month – Daily Facts 💙
Blood Sugar Balance: Why It Matters in Diabetes 💙
Diabetes affects the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar, leading to two key conditions:
🔴 Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar)
➡️ Caused by insufficient insulin production.
➡️ Glucose builds up in the blood instead of being used for energy.
➡️ Symptoms include:
• Headaches
• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Weight loss

🔵 Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)
➡️ Blood glucose drops too low to fuel the body.
➡️ Can occur as a complication of diabetes or other conditions.
➡️ Symptoms include:
• Shakiness
• Sweating
• Confusion
• Irritability
• Dizziness

📌 Important Note:
Type 1 diabetes symptoms can appear suddenly and progress rapidly. If left untreated, it can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis - a life-threatening emergency. Type 2 diabetes symptoms tend to develop more gradually but are just as serious.
If your child or loved one shows any of these signs, consult a healthcare professional promptly.

07/11/2025

🩺 Diabetes Awareness Month – Daily Fact 💙
Hybrid Closed-Loop Systems: The Future of Diabetes Management 💙
Hybrid Closed-Loop (HCL) systems - often called “artificial pancreas” technology - are transforming diabetes care.
🔍 What Do They Do?
➡️ HCL systems combine an insulin pump and a continuous glucose monitor (CGM).
➡️ The CGM tracks blood glucose levels in real time and sends data to the pump.
➡️ The pump automatically adjusts basal insulin delivery based on glucose readings, reducing highs and lows.
➡️ Users still need to bolus for meals, but the system handles background insulin adjustments.
📌 These systems help improve time in range, reduce hypoglycemia, and ease the daily burden of diabetes management. While not a cure, they represent a major step toward fully automated insulin delivery.

06/11/2025

🩺 Diabetes Awareness Month – Daily Fact 💙
👁️ Diabetes and Your Eyes: What You Need to Know 💙
Did you know diabetes can affect your vision? High blood sugar levels over time can damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina, leading to diabetic retinopathy - the leading cause of vision loss.
🔍 Key Facts:
➡️ Diabetic retinopathy often has no early symptoms, so regular eye screening is essential.
➡️ It can cause blurred vision, floaters, and even blindness if untreated.
➡️ Good blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol control can help prevent or slow progression.
➡️ Annual eye screening is recommended for everyone with diabetes.
📌 Protect your sight - book your screening and manage your diabetes effectively. Early detection saves vision!

05/11/2025

Diabetes Awareness Month Daily Facts.
🧬 Type 1 Diabetes: When the Body Mistakes Its Own Cells for a Threat 💙
In Type 1 diabetes, the immune system - designed to protect us - makes a critical error. It mistakenly identifies the beta cells in the pancreas (which produce insulin) as harmful invaders, like a virus. 🔬

➡️ These cells are attacked and destroyed, leaving the body unable to produce insulin - a hormone essential for regulating blood sugar.

Even if scientists find ways to replace or regenerate beta cells, the immune system still holds the “blueprint” to destroy them again. That’s why Type 1 diabetes is currently incurable, though research continues with hope for the future. 🌟

📌 Type 1 is not caused by lifestyle and can affect anyone, at any age. It requires daily insulin and constant management—but with the right support, people with Type 1 can live full, empowered lives.
Let’s raise awareness, share facts, and support those living with diabetes. 💙

04/11/2025

🩺 Diabetes Awareness Month – Daily Fact 💙
Understanding Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic condition where the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough to regulate blood sugar effectively. Unlike Type 1, it’s not caused by an autoimmune response, but by a mix of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors.

🔍 Key Causes Include:
➡️ Genetics – A family history of Type 2 diabetes increases your risk.
➡️ Weight – Excess body fat, especially around the abdomen, can lead to insulin resistance.
➡️ Physical Inactivity – Regular movement helps regulate blood sugar - lack of it can contribute to the condition.
➡️ Diet – Diets high in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats can increase risk.
➡️ Age - Risk increases with age, but Type 2 is now increasingly seen in younger people.
➡️ Ethnicity – People from South Asian, African-Caribbean, and Black African backgrounds are at higher risk.

📌 Type 2 diabetes develops gradually and can often be prevented or delayed with healthy lifestyle choices. But once diagnosed, it requires lifelong management and support.
Let’s keep the conversation going, reduce stigma, and empower people with knowledge. 💙