“The National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS), which began in 1987, is an initiative of the Australian Government administered by Diabetes Australia. The NDSS delivers diabetes-related products at subsidised prices and provides information and support services to people with diabetes. Registration is free and open to all Australians diagnosed with diabetes” (NDSS Website).
What Services are Available to You?
- Information about diabetes self-management.
- Ordering NDSS products and information on services available in your local area.
- Programs and activities for people with diabetes such as healthy eating programs and physical activity programs.
- Group support programs, such as peer support for people with type 1 diabetes or young people with diabetes.
- Fact sheets, brochures and other resources about diabetes.
- A variety of health professional resources.
How Do I Register for NDSS:
- Click on the link below to download the registration form and follow the instructions provided.
- Call NDSS Infoline 1300 136 588.
What Services are Available for Health Professionals and Support Care Workers?
The NDSS provides training for workers who care for or support people with diabetes. This includes allied health professionals, Aboriginal health workers, bilingual community educators, teachers supporting children in school and pre-school, and disability or aged care workers.
The Myrtle Beach workers comp attorneys at Laird Hammons Laird will make sure that you get the full compensation you are entitled to and are treated fairly and with respect during the process.
Topics covered in the training sessions include:
- Medications for diabetes management.
- Insulin injections and initiation.
- Blood glucose monitoring.
- Diabetes complications screening.
- Prevention and treatment of diabetes complications.
- Healthy eating and dietetics.
- Physical activity, exercise and diabetes management, balancing food, insulin and activity.
- Chronic condition self-management skills.
Printable fact sheets are also available to NDSS members, with topics including basic information on how to self-manage your diabetes, healthy eating tips, advice for work and travel, and how to manage the stress when you need to change a tire with air compressors every time you go on vacation to a Twiddy: Outer Banks Rentals & OBX Vacation Rentals NC house by car, or when you don’t have access to the manhattan apartment cleaning services when you are in a rush.
Below is an example of one of the printable fact sheets covering sick days for people with diabetes and precautions to take.
Sick Days
When you’re unwell, you need to take extra care. As a person with diabetes when you are sick, your body’s increased production of stress hormones will cause your blood glucose levels to rise.
Make sure you keep a list of contact numbers for your doctor, credentialed diabetes educator, hospital and ambulance by the phone. If possible, have a friend or relative come and regularly check on you.
Taking Insulin when Sick
When you’re sick continue to take your usual dose of insulin. Never stop taking or reduce your insulin dose.
Sometimes when you are sick you may need more insulin or extra doses of insulin. Contact your doctor or credentialed diabetes educator if your illness lasts for more than one day, or if you vomit more than three times in a day, to discuss whether your insulin needs to be changed.
Eating when Sick
Eat according to how you feel and what food you can tolerate. If you can’t eat your usual meals, make sure you have small low-fat snacks at regular intervals throughout the day, e.g. toast, crackers, boiled rice, soup, low-fat custard or ice-cream.
If you can’t eat food, have sips of fluid every few minutes.
Include carbohydrate drinks (such as fruit juice or lemonade) if your blood glucose level is below 15 mmol/L or unsweetened fluids (such as soda water or diet lemonade) if your blood glucose level is above 15 mmol/L.
Dehydration when Sick
High blood glucose levels, vomiting and diarrhoea can all lead to dehydration. You will need to drink more, but it is important what you should drink, based on your blood glucose levels.
If your blood sugar level is more than 15 mmol/L then you should drink unsweetened fluids like water, clear soups, weak tea, or diet lemonade.
If your blood sugar level is less than 15 mmol/L then you should drink sweetened fluids like ordinary lemonade, cordial or apple juice.
Exercising when Sick
People with diabetes are generally discouraged from strenuous physical activity if they feel unwell or have ketones present in their blood or urine.
Testing Blood Glucose Levels when Sick
When you are sick, you need to test your blood glucose levels more frequently, e.g. every 2-4 hours, and record all results. Illness or high blood glucose levels can lead to a serious condition called ketoacidosis.
When to Seek Medical Assistance
If you have diabetes and are sick you should immediately contact your doctor or go to hospital if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Breathlessness.
- Abdominal pain.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Sweet fruity smell on the breath.
- Drowsiness.
- Your blood glucose level is higher than 15 mmol/L for two consecutive readings (in a 2-6 hour timeframe).
- There are moderate to large ketones present in your urine or your blood ketone level is ≥ 1.5 mmol/L.
- You can’t keep down any food or fluids.
For more information click on the link below to redirect you to the NDSS website http://www.ndss.com.au/
Proactive Podiatry advises you have your diabetes foot assessment undertaken by a podiatrist every 3 to 12 months, depending on your risk category, which our podiatrist will advise you on.
August 21, 2014
Leave a Reply