We all know the common symptoms of low glucose levels – the `hypos’ that often lead to sweating or shivering. But what happens if the brain loses its ability to detect a hypo? As you will read below, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is supporting research which will help raise awareness of this.

Sir Michael Hirst is President-Elect of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). He will take the office of President at the end of 2012. He became interested in diabetes 25 years ago when his youngest child was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at a very young age.

One of Bayer’s partners, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is encouraging supporters to help raise funds and awareness throughout November.

Sue Marshall is a freelance writer with Type 1 diabetes. She also runs Desang.net, an online resource and directory of diabetes products, including kitbags she designs.

Sue Marshall gives some of the alternatives to a spoonful of sugar!

Mark Austin, who uses Bayer’s CONTOUR USB glucose monitor to check his blood sugar, explains how you can make the most of the GLUCOFACTS Deluxe software which can be used with it, to analyse your results at Christmas time.

You don’t need to let diabetes stand in your way if you love your sports - Fact!

What regular challenges and issues do you face on a day to day basis? Do you have any fresh ideas about how the Bayer Diabetes Care team could be providing you with more product support? Would you like a chance to sound off from time to time and give us some constructive ideas or feedback on a current issue or problem?

When Phillip and Helen Higginson discovered their daughter Amelia had type 1 diabetes, it came as a huge shock. She was diagnosed at the tender age of just 21 months, despite there being no history of diabetes in the family.

CONTOUR USB user Mark Austin knows a thing or two about Bayer’s newest meter so we asked him to give us his tips on how to make best use of it at Christmas time.