Diabetes Life & General Practitioner

07/01/2026

🦷 Did you know that high blood sugar can increase the risk of gum disease, dry mouth, and infections? Diabetes affects your oral health, making regular dental care essential. Brushing twice daily, flossing daily, and visiting the dentist regularly can help prevent complications. Watch for signs like bleeding gums, bad breath, or slow-healing sores in the mouth. Managing blood sugar levels protects your overall health and keeps your teeth and gums strong. A healthy smile starts with good diabetes care! 💙

05/01/2026

Stress can have a bigger impact on diabetes than many people realise, as it triggers hormones that can raise blood sugar levels and make management more difficult. Whether it’s work, relationships, or daily challenges, finding ways to reduce stress is as important as diet and medication. Practices like deep breathing, meditation, listening to music, or even taking a short walk can help lower stress levels and improve blood sugar control. Prioritising mental well-being isn’t just about feeling better, it’s a key part of staying healthy with diabetes. Taking care of your mind helps take care of your body!

01/01/2026

🎉 Wishing You a Healthy and Happy New Year! 💙

As we welcome 2026, thank you for being part of the Diabetes Life community. A new year is a great time to refocus, set achievable goals, and continue taking steps toward better health.

We’re here to support you on your journey and look forward to being part of your year ahead. Here’s to a fresh start and a year of progress and well-being.

Happy New Year to you and your loved ones!

29/12/2025

Protein is essential for managing diabetes as it helps stabilise blood sugar levels and reduces hunger between meals. Unlike carbohydrates, protein has minimal impact on blood sugar, making it a great addition to balanced meals. Good sources include lean meats like chicken and fish, plant-based options such as beans and tofu, eggs, dairy products like Greek yoghurt, nuts and seeds for added healthy fats. Pairing protein with fibre-rich foods and healthy fats can support steady energy levels throughout the day, helping with better blood sugar control. 💙

25/12/2025

🎄 Merry Christmas from Diabetes Life! 💙

Wishing all our wonderful diabetes warriors a joyful and blessed Christmas filled with love, laughter, and good health. 🌟 Whether you’re spending the day with family, friends, or enjoying some well-deserved quiet time, remember to celebrate how far you’ve come this year, you’ve done amazing! 💪

Stay safe, savour the little moments, and know that we’re here to support you on your journey. Here’s to a holiday season full of peace, happiness, and hope. 🎁✨

Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones! 🎅💙

22/12/2025

Diabetes can increase the risk of heart disease, making heart health a vital part of your care. To protect your heart, manage blood sugar levels, eat heart-healthy foods like whole grains, lean proteins, and vegetables, and stay active with regular exercise. Monitor cholesterol and blood pressure with your doctor’s help, and avoid smoking, which is a major risk factor. Small, consistent steps can go a long way in reducing the strain on your heart and supporting your overall well-being. 💙

15/11/2025

If you’ve ever wondered why your blood sugar isn’t always the same, even when your meals are, you’re not alone. Diabetes is influenced by much more than just food.

Your sleep, stress levels, hormones, hydration, activity, and even the time of day can all affect how your body processes sugar. For example:

😴 Lack of sleep raises stress hormones that make blood sugar climb.
💧 Dehydration makes glucose levels appear higher.
🏃 Exercise can lower sugar, but timing and intensity matter.
😔 Stress or illness can cause unexpected spikes.

So, if your numbers vary, don’t get discouraged; it’s normal. The goal isn’t perfection, but rather understanding your patterns so that you and your doctor can adjust as needed. 💙

14/11/2025

💙 14 November is World Diabetes Day

Today, we join the global community in raising awareness for diabetes and emphasising that everyone deserves support, treatment, and hope. Whether you’re living with diabetes, caring for someone who is, or checking your own risk, let’s commit to better knowledge, stronger habits, and a healthier future together.

What you can do today:

✔️ Check your blood sugar if you haven’t recently
✔️ Make one small change, a walk, a healthy meal, or a moment of stress-relief
✔️ Share this message and wear blue to show your support

With proper care and community support, you can live well with diabetes.

14/11/2025

World Diabetes Day💙

As deel van Wêreld-diabetesdag wat vandag aandag geniet, het ons dit goed gedink om met Dr. Nadia Joubert te gesels oor statistiek rondom diabetes en hoe dia...

14/11/2025

💙 World Diabetes Day

Today we honour World Diabetes Day, a powerful reminder of the millions of people living with diabetes and the importance of education, early detection, and supportive care. This morning, Dr Nadia joined Die GROOT Ontbyt to talk about diabetes awareness.

Here’s a little behind-the-scenes look from the studio.

Thank you to everyone who continues to learn, ask questions, and take charge of their wellbeing, you are the heart of what we do.💙

13/11/2025

Feeling dizzy, shaky, sweaty, or lightheaded can be a sign of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) when your glucose levels drop below normal. This can happen if you’ve taken too much medication, delayed a meal, exercised without eating, or skipped a snack.

💡 Here’s what to do:

🍬 If your sugar is low, have a small, quick source of glucose like half a glass of fruit juice, 3–4 glucose sweets, or a tablespoon of honey.
🥪 Follow up with a small balanced snack (like a slice of wholegrain toast with peanut butter).
📊 Always test your blood sugar if you can, and never ignore persistent dizziness or shaking.

If you often feel this way, your medication or meal plan may need adjusting please discuss it with your doctor. 💙

12/11/2025

🦶 If you’ve noticed tingling, burning, or numbness in your feet, it may be a sign of diabetic neuropathy, a condition caused by long-term high blood sugar that damages the nerves. This can make it harder to feel cuts, blisters, or changes in temperature, which is why daily foot care is so critical.

Here’s what helps protect your feet:

👣 Check them every day for redness, swelling, or wounds.
🧦 Wear comfortable, well-fitting shoes and clean socks.
🧴 Keep skin soft with moisturiser (but avoid between the toes).
📉 Keep blood sugar levels as stable as possible.

Early attention can prevent complications and keep your feet healthy for years to come. 💙