Lifestyle

Travel

Travelling with diabetes requires a bit more planning to make sure that you have all the equipment and medications that you need to stay well when away. There are lots of things to think about before you go, such as health checks, travelling with insulin, the impact that entering different time zones, climate, diet and activity will have on blood glucose control, and what to do if you’re ill. You can find all of this information in the resources below.

Employment

Having diabetes shouldn’t prevent you from getting a job, but it’s important to make your employers and colleagues aware that you have diabetes, particularly insulin treated diabetes so that they know what a hypo is and how to treat it. Have a look at our employment resources below to read more about working with diabetes.

Menopause and Hormones

Going through the menopause when you have diabetes can be difficult. It’s important to know how your hormones can affect your blood glucose levels and what you can do to manage the symptoms of menopause. Having diabetes increases the risk of some of the health conditions that are associated with the menopause such as heart disease and bone problems.

Smoking

Smoking is one of the biggest causes of death and illness in the UK and when you have diabetes, it dramatically increases the risk of developing complications with your eyes, feet, heart, legs and kidneys. You can find out about smoking cessation services near you on our get local section or read below for further information.

Driving

Do you know what the law is about driving if you have diabetes? Our resources below give you practical information such as the implications for your car insurance and whether you should inform the DVLA that you have diabetes, as well as potential risks such as having a hypo when you are at the wheel.

Smoking and Diabetes

Video

This video explains the effect that smoking has on your diabetes.

Diabetes and the Menopause

Web Resource

This resource will explain some of the effects diabetes can have on the menopause.

Driving

pdf

This page explains what you need to know about driving if you have diabetes. It covers practical information such as the implications for your car insurance and whether you should inform the DVLA that you have diabetes, as well as potential risks such as having a hypo when you are at the wheel.