Dr Ellie’s diabetes Q&A
DO I have to pay for my medicines if I’m treated for pre-diabetes on the NHS?
PRE-diabetes is not a condition that warrants free NHS prescriptions in England, I’m afraid.
I HAVE been taking the diabetes drug metformin for a few weeks now and I am constantly running back and forth to the bathroom with diarrhoea. Is this a side effect?
IT MOST likely is. Metformin is a drug with well-known gut side effects. Although diarrhoea is common when high doses are given, it does not usually persist in everyone, so it may be worth continuing to see if it settles down. Other tummy side effects are also seen a lot – pain, some nausea and even a change in taste can happen.
IF I have too much sugar in my blood, is it because I’ve been eating too much sugar?
NO, IT isn’t. Having too much sugar in the blood means your cells do not respond well to insulin, the hormone that should keep blood sugar levels normal. For some people that is due to obesity and a lack of exercise. For others it is down to genetics and age.
I HAVE pre-diabetes, but due to a hectic work schedule I’m not in a position to overhaul my lifestyle. Can I just take pills to control my blood sugar?
MEDICATION is not normally prescribed at the pre-diabetes stage. Drugs that lower blood sugar come with side effects so are only prescribed when strictly necessary.
An overhaul of lifestyle is not needed – pre-diabetes can improve with even small tweaks of diet, an increase in exercise or weight loss. This could be achieved by taking the stairs at work rather than the lift.
MY MUM has pre-diabetes but she’s too frail for a calorie-restricted diet or lots of exercise. How can she best tackle it?
IT MAY be that nothing needs to be done. If she is low-risk for cardiovascular disease or has had prediabetes for a long time with no progression, there may be little need to do anything. If something does need to be done, start with some gentle walking, little and often.
A calorie-restricted diet would not be recommended for someone frail, rather just a tweak here or there, such as cutting down on sugar in tea.