Monday, 1 October 2018

Diabetes Awareness


Diabetes Awareness


DIVERSITY LIVING SERVICES (DLS) is pleased to invite you to attend a free Diabetes Awareness Workshop
The workshop will cover the following topics:
  • What is Diabetes ?
  • What are the causes of Diabetes ?
  • What are the symptoms of Diabetes ?
  • How to prevent or manage Diabetes ?
Training Day Information
Date:    Wednesday 17th October 2018
Time:   10.30am – 12.30pm
Venue:  Edmonton Green Library ( 1st floor), 36-44 South Mall,
              London N9 0TN

The number of places are limited, so book your place on this workshop to avoid disappointment. Refreshments will be provided and travel expenses can be reimbursed, so let us know and bring the receipts if you require this.

To book for this workshop please call us on 0208 803 6161 or alternatively you can email us at healthinfo@diversityliving.org

We hope to see you there!!


What causes Type 1 diabetes?

About 10 per cent of people with diabetes in the UK have Type 1 diabetes. It’s got nothing to do with diet or lifestyle, it just happens. We're still not sure what causes it.
When you have Type 1 diabetes, your body attacks the cells in your pancreas that make insulin, so you can't produce any insulin at all.
And we all need insulin to live. It does an essential job. It allows the glucose in our blood to enter our cells and fuel our bodies.
When you have Type 1 diabetes, your body still breaks down the carbohydrate from food and drink and turns it into glucose (sugar). But when the glucose enters your bloodstream, there's no insulin to allow it into your body's cells. More and more glucose then builds up in your bloodstream.
What causes Type 2 diabetes?
About 90 per cent of people with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes. We all need insulin to live. It does an essential job. It allows the glucose in our blood to enter our cells and fuel our bodies. When you have Type 2 diabetes, your body still breaks down carbohydrate from your food and drink and turns it into glucose.
The pancreas responds to this by releasing insulin. But because this insulin can’t work properly, blood glucose levels keep rising. So more insulin is released. For some people with Type 2 diabetes this can eventually tire the pancreas out, meaning their body makes less and less insulin. This causes even higher blood glucose levels.
When to see a doctor
Visit your GP as soon as possible if you experience the main symptoms of diabetes, which include:
  • feeling very thirsty
  • urinating more frequently than usual, particularly at night
  • feeling very tired
  • weight loss and loss of muscle bulk
  • itching around the penis or vagina, or frequent episodes of thrush
  • cuts or wounds that heal slowly
  • blurred vision
Type 1 diabetes can develop quickly over weeks or even days.
Many people have type 2 diabetes for years without realising because the early symptoms tend to be general.



IN THE NEWS

Study casts doubt on 'healthy obesity'
Women who are overweight or obese but otherwise healthy are still at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, a large study suggests.

Diabetes blood test 'could mean end to daily insulin jabs'

Fruit and veg: For a longer life eat 10-a-day

Five ways to spot if someone has Alzheimer’s

Obesity-related hospital admissions 'double in four years'



WHERE TO FIND US:

Diversity Living Services
54-56 The Market Square (1st Floor, The Artzone)
Edmonton Green
N9 0TZ


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Thursday, 24 May 2018

Stand Up For Good Health & Well-Being (Issue No.060518)



Blood Pressure Measurement Month
Diversity Living Services (DLS) is supporting the Blood Pressure Measurement Month this MAY, which is a worldwide screening initiative aimed to increase blood pressure awareness. This awareness campaign is led by the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) and the World Hypertension League (WHL).

DLS is holding regular blood pressure checks at Edmonton Green Library every Tuesday and Friday from 11:00am - 4:00pm.

We will issue you with a card that shows the results of your blood pressure reading for you to keep as a record.
Come and visit us and get your FREE!! blood pressure check.

 - Over 42,000 people in Enfield have been diagnosed with high blood pressure.
 
 - An estimated 31,000 people in Enfield have high blood pressure but don't know it

(Source: Enfield Council).

High blood pressure is a long term medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is constantly elevated. High blood pressure is also known as Hypertension which is a silent killer as the symptoms are difficult to tell as usually it does not cause symptoms. It’s good to check your blood pressure regularly. If your blood pressure is too high, it puts extra strain on your blood vessels, heart and other organs such as the brain, kidneys and eyes

There isn’t always an explanation of high blood pressure but mainly these can play a part:
  • Being Overweight or Obese
  • Having a family history of high blood pressure
  • Not carrying out enough physical activity
  • Drinking too much alcohol and having too much salt in your diet
Persistent high blood pressure can increase your risk of a number of serious and potentially life-threatening conditions, such as:
  • heart disease
  • heart attacks
  • strokes
  • heart failure
  • peripheral arterial disease
  • aortic aneurysms
  • kidney disease
  • vascular dementia

For More Information Visit:

http://www.bloodpressureuk.org/Home
https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/risk-factors/high-blood-pressure
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-pressure-hypertension/
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/high-low-blood-pressure-symptoms.html

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Friday, 20 April 2018

Stand Up for your Good Health and Well-being (Issue No 050418)



What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose (blood sugar), is too high. Blood glucose is your main source of energy and comes from the food you eat. 
Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose from food get into your cells to be used for energy.
Sometimes your body doesn’t make enough or any insulin, or doesn’t use insulin well. Glucose then stays in your blood and doesn’t reach your cells.
Normally your pancreas senses when glucose has entered your bloodstream and releases the right amount of insulin, so the glucose can get into your cells. But if you have diabetes, this system doesn’t work. Over time, having too much glucose in your blood can cause health problems.
Although diabetes has no cure, you can take steps to manage your diabetes and stay healthy.



There are a number of variations of diabetes but the most common types of diabetes are type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes


Type 1 Diabetes

About 10% of people with diabetes in the UK have Type 1 diabetes. When you have Type 1 diabetes, your body attacks the cells in your pancreas that make insulin, so you can't produce any insulin at all. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day to stay alive.

Type 2 Diabetes
About 90% of people with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes. When you have Type 2 diabetes, even though your body is able to make insulin you don’t make enough or what is made does not work properly. This can cause glucose levels to keep rising 

Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes develops in some women when they are pregnant. Most of the time, this type of diabetes goes away after the baby is born. However, if you’ve had gestational diabetes, you have a greater chance of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Sometimes diabetes diagnosed during pregnancy is actually type 2 diabetes.



Essential Healthcare checklist for individuals living with Type 2 Diabetes


1. Get your blood glucose levels measured
2. Have your blood pressure measured 
3. Have your blood fats measured
4. Have your eyes screened for signs of retinopathy
5. Have your feet and legs checked
6. Have your kidney function monitored annually
7. Get individual, ongoing dietary advice
8. Get emotional and psychological support
9. Be offered a group education course in your local area 
10. See specialist diabetes healthcare professionals to help you manage your diabetes
11. Get a free flu vaccination
12. Receive high-quality care if admitted to hospital
13. Have the opportunity to talk about any sexual problems 
14. If you smoke, get support and advice on how to quit
15. Get information and specialist care if you are planning to have a baby

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Our Vision and Services

Our vision is of a society where no one should experience discrimination on the grounds of their mental health.

Mental health problems are extremely common across society, with one in four of us experiencing them in any year. Despite being so common, people from all communities will still experience discriminatory attitudes and behaviours that can prevent people from speaking out, seeking support and playing full and active roles in our communities. The impact of mental health stigma and discrimination will vary between communities as mental health has a cultural context that affects the way communities talk about the subject and engage with people who have mental health problems. In some cultures depression, for example, doesn't exist and in others an experience of a mental health problem can be attached to a sense of shame.

For the African and Caribbean communities a key issue is the overrepresentation of young African and Caribbean men in mental health services. Misconceptions and stereotypes have led to a perception that this group is more likely to pose a risk of violent behaviour and, as a result, they are more likely to be treated as inpatients and sectioned when compared to other groups. It is well documented that this has led to a fear of talking about mental health issues more openly and a fear of using mental health services. Research by the Race Equality Foundation (2011) also highlighted fears that discrimination against Black & Minority Ethnic (BME) communities and migrant service users will increase in the austerity climate and whilst commissioning arrangements change.

Our Services

· Provide information, advice, advocacy

· Represent diversity communities in Health Care services, policies and strategies

· Organise training in health and social care in collaboration with local colleges

· Provide human resources ( including interpreters) who are suitable to the diversity communities especially to break language and cultural barriers

· Provides domiciliary care and support

· Provide services such specialised support for people with mental health needs, including people who suffer from short-term memory problems, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.

· Provide visits to elderly people and help them with outings and home services

· Participate in local authority and NHS consultations , research events and programmes to voice the needs of diversity communities.

· Increase access to services and rights for disadvantaged people and the most vulnerable of our society

· Help and support unemployed people to look for work, including training and job preparation

· Provide legal advice in a range of issues from on Immigration and Asylum , welfare benefits, housing, health, education, community care, and training, employment, etc.

· Provide advice and guidance, information and practical help so that our service users can access opportunities they are entitled to

· Organise training and other community learning opportunities that provide new skills, increase confidence and motivation

· Support our service users to overcome barriers to learning, employment and training

· Provide support for young people with their education, training, confidence building, employment and social needs.

Objectives of our Diversity Living Programme:

· To promote the inclusion and participation of diversity communities* in integrated care.

· To inform policy, locally and nationally, and assisting in the formulation of effective policies, strategies and good practices in integrated care in order to contribute to improved health outcomes for the people from the diversity communities (e.g. Black and minority ethnic communities) and to ensure health services are able to meet their specific needs.

· To improve the quality of life for diversity people with disability, mental health problems and their families and carers through integrated care by providing inclusive advocacy and information.

· To provide service that enable diversity groups and individuals with disability /elderly and their carers to make the right choice for themselves and have an influence on decisions made about their future.

· To promote the rights of diversity people with disability, their families and carers and make sure their rights are safe and protected.

· To promoting access to information regarding healthcare issues and to raise awareness of the needs of diversity disabled children, young people, older people and their families.

· To promote the rights of older and disabled diversity people, helping them overcome and enable them to participate in decisions about their future

· To provide support and information to those suffering the isolation and loneliness that can be associated with disability and old age

· To fight against mental health stigma in refugee, black and minority ethnic communities and ensure no one should experience discrimination on the grounds of their mental health or disability.

*Diversity communities are older people, disabled people, Black, Asian, refugees, migrants, asylum seekers and other ethnic minorities.