'Polaroids for thought' were designed to to raise awareness of diabetes. The illustrations focus on the symptoms and aspects of diabetes that aren't talked about and were designed using inks and oil pastels.
Shown below is a digital version of the original piece created by the artist.
Not many people know there are 6 types of diabetes. Type 1 and type 2 are the most common. Type 1 is always treated with insulin and type 2 often requires medication to manage blood sugar levels. The number of people developing type 2 is increasing each year and it is one of the biggest costs to the NHS. It is important to look out for symptoms and look after your body through diet and physical activity.
Those who are constantly on the go often don't think about what they put into their bodies. Meal deals seem like the easy solution when you don't have time to cook. Take some time to look at the ingredients of the food you eat and not just the calorie content.
Every person's body is different, but, in general it is recommended that you walk around 10,000 steps per day. Taking the stairs or getting off the bus early and walking the rest of the journey home can increase your levels of physical activity. Those are small changes. You don't have to run a marathon to reduce your diabetes risk!
Exercise is one of the most obvious ways to help prevent diabetes but it doesn't count for much if you are overweight and not eating healthy.
Nowadays younger people are more at risk of developing diabetes. Most people assume that you can't be at risk unless you're over 40. Young people's body's are more resilient but not invincible!
People are allowed to give themselves a break. Spending more time in bed watching films can't affect you if you make sure its not something you do everyday.
Gestational diabetes affects those who are pregnant and then settles after giving birth. This puts both the parent and the baby at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Most people don't have symptoms diagnosis is based on routine blood tests.
Less than 100 people in the UK suffer from neonatal diabetes. 20% also develop some form of learning difficulties or epilepsy. The condition can often be treated with tablets.
Healthy foods like fruit contain a lot of sugar. Making sure your diet is balanced is extremely important.
Those with mental illnesses are at risk of developing diabetes because elevated hormones can increase blood sugar (glucose) levels. In addition to this, some medicines used to treat mental illnesses have glucose elevating effects.
Diabetes can cause blurry vision. If you have diabetes vision disability has to be taken into account when you apply for a drivers licence.
Kirsten Dolphin 2018
Email: kirstendolphinillustration@gmail.com
Instagram: kirsten.dolphin