As more and more people are being diagnosed with diabetes, HSE services are being simply overwhelmed and are struggling to cope with the number of patients seeking diabetes treatment. Meanwhile, people with diabetes have to manage their condition on a day to day basis. Without proper education and understanding of the condition, this is not easy.
Diabetes is a 24/7 condition and left unmanaged or poorly controlled can have a detrimental effect on a person’s quality of life. Uncontrolled or poorly managed diabetes is the primary cause of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, blindness and amputation, most of which can be avoided with effective self-management and treatment.
The meeting, organised by Diabetes Ireland, which will be held in the Sligo Park Hotel on Thursday April 3rd 8pm will see Ms Pauline Dunne, Senior Dietitian and Regional Development Officer, Diabetes Ireland cover the topic of Diet and Diabetes with a specific focus to dispel the many myths and misconceptions of diet for people with diabetes. Also presenting on the night will be Ms Noreen McHale, Diabetes Clinical Nurse Specialist, HSE Sligo/Leitrim Area who will be updating us on the new National Diabetic Retinopathy (eye) Screening Service and her new role as an Integrated Care Diabetes Nurse in the local community.
“Good self-management on a daily basis will enhance quality of life. The reality is that people with diabetes need to look after themselves each day and need to know and understand how and where to get help. Therefore, I would urge people with diabetes to come along to this meeting and hear from the experts.

For further information please contact:
Regina Patton on 071 9146001 or email [email protected]

Tips for media commentators and journalists
1. Make sure to distinguish between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
2. Refer to diabetes as a “Condition” not a “disability”.
3. Do not use the word “diabetic” or “sufferer” as it is labelling, instead say “person with diabetes” or “people with diabetes”.

About Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition in which the amount of glucose in the blood is too high. In Type 1 diabetes this is due to an absolute lack of insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas which enables glucose in the blood to enter the cells where it can be used for energy. Type 1 diabetes is managed with diet and exercise and multiple daily insulin injections. In Type 2 diabetes there is a lack of insulin or there is insulin resistance, it can be managed with diet, exercise, tablets and sometimes insulin injections. Poorly controlled diabetes over many years can lead to damage to the eyes, kidneys and the heart. For more information please visit our website www.diabetes.ie.

About Diabetes Ireland
Diabetes Ireland is the national charity dedicated to providing support, education and motivation to all people affected by diabetes. It also raises public awareness of diabetes and its symptoms and funds Irish-based research into diabetes.