PEER GROUP MEET – NOVEMBER 2022

A meeting of the “Friends Forever” peer support group for type 1 diabetes was conducted on 27.11.2022 with the intention of alerting participants to the complications of diabetes. Dr Rajalakshmi, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre, who has a special interest in eye complications in young diabetes, addressed the children with type 1 diabetes and their parents.

Dr Rajalakshmi spoke in detail about on common eye conditions and their symptoms, early cataract formation and development of retinopathy in young individuals with diabetes. She spoke on the need for limiting screen time and precautionary measures to protect the eyes from being affected. She emphasised on the importance of eye follow up and its frequency based on severity of retinopathy.

Ms.Aiswarya, dietitian and certified type 1 diabetes educator gave a brief description of insulin and its action in the body. She discussed the timing of insulin injections, its peak of action and the duration. The importance of setting the right dose of basal and bolus insulin and consequences of skipping insulin were addressed.

To make the programme more interesting, games were organised by Mr. Rahul, Certified Diabetes Educator. Pinwheel games were conducted where each participant had to spin the wheel and tell us if the food on which the needle stopped was healthy or unhealthy to consume.

Mr Akbar, gave a talk on how his HbA1c was brought to 5.6-6.0% and what keeps him motivated every day to maintain it at this level.