Do you have diabetes?  Or do any of your friends or family have diabetes?

Have you heard or read anything about diabetes and Covid-19?

Having diabetes does not mean you are more likely to get Covid-19. You are no more likely to catch coronavirus than somebody without diabetes.

But some research has shown that if you do catch Covid and you have diabetes then you could be at higher risk of becoming more seriously ill.

The good news is that if your diabetes is well controlled then your risk of becoming more seriously ill is significantly reduced.

Top Tips to help get and keep your diabetes under control

• Be active – Being physically active helps to control your blood sugar levels. Try and do some physical activity every day. It doesn’t have to be going to the gym or playing sport. A short walk or some energetic housework each day will really make a difference.

• Lose weight – If your doctor has told you that you are overweight then losing even a small amount of weight can help to control your diabetes. A moderate amount of weight loss can even put your diabetes in remission (This is when your blood sugar levels are below the diabetes range).
• Take your medication – If you have been prescribed medication to control your diabetes make sure  you take the right dose at the right time of day as advised by your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

• Attend appointments – you might be invited by your GP practice to have a check up appointment. It is important that you accept the appointment so that the health care professionals can see how you are doing and make sure you are in the best possible health. If you are invited for a face to face appointment the doctor/nurse will be wearing PPE and there will be appropriate social distancing to keep you safe. You might be offered a telephone appointment instead.

If you or a loved one have been told that you don’t have diabetes yet but that you are at high risk of developing diabetes then the tips above to be more active, lose weight and attend any appointments you are offered are just as important.  There is also a service available to help people at risk of diabetes to move out of the ‘high risk’ zone. Google Diabetes UK Know Your Risk to find out more and see if you are eligible.