Diabetes is dangerously on the rise and it is estimated that 4.6million people have the disease in the UK and that figure has doubled in the last twenty years.  What exactly is it and what can you do to control it or prevent it?  We mention control or prevent because there are two types of diabetes;  one (type 1 diabetes) that can be controlled and the other (Type 2 diabetes) can be prevented or even sent into remission.

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas in order to regulate sugars in the body which we ultimately need for energy.  Diabetes occurs when the  pancreas is no longer able to make insulin or when the body cannot make good use of the insulin it produces.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus accounts for around 10% of all people with the condition.  It is caused by an autoimmune reaction where the body’s defence system attacks the cells that produce insulin. As a result, the body produces very little or no insulin. The exact causes are not yet known, but are linked to a combination of genetic and environmental conditions. 

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the most common and accounts for around 90% of all    people with the condition and is usually down to environmental factors such as poor diet. With Type 2 diabetes, your body produces insulin but not enough to cope with your dietary intake. The pancreas responds to this by releasing insulin but because this insulin can’t work properly, blood glucose levels keep rising so more insulin is released. For some people with Type 2 diabetes this can eventually tire the pancreas out, meaning their body makes less and less insulin. This causes even higher blood sugar levels. 

How do you know if you are diabetic? Sufferers will experience thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, unintentional weight loss,  hunger and vision problems.  Children may experience bed wetting. Many will experience wounds and cuts that won’t heal. A consultation with your GP to answer a few questions, quick blood test and simple urine test can determine if you have diabetes and what type.  Once confirmed, a treatment plan can be put into place and your care will be overseen by your GP, diabetes nurse and Health Care Assistant. Left untreated, diabetes can cause sight loss, kidney damage, erectile dysfunction, heart disease or stroke and loss of circulation leading to possible limb amputation. 

In a nutshell, people with Type 1 were destined to get the condition mainly due to  genetics and Type 2 have the condition mainly due to an unhealthy lifestyle and being overweight.  So, are you part of the 90% who have Type 2 diabetes who can improve the condition through diet and exercise?  Staff at your surgery can help. Your GP will prescribe medication; this may take time to find the right medication and dose for you.  The diabetic nurse will educate you on dealing with day to day life, self-testing and yearly reviews.  The Health Care Assistant will help you with regular urine tests, diet advice and generally keeping on top of issues that arise such as dressing wounds that are slow to heal.

Type 2 diabetes cannot be cured but it can go into “remission” with a strict   diet, weight loss, exercise and maintaining a healthier lifestyle. It’s a wake-up call and we need to take action now. Ask your surgery for advice.

REMEMBER:  DO NOT IGNORE REMINDERS FROM THE SURGERY FOR YOUR DIABETIC REVIEW AND BE SURE TO GET YOUR FLU JAB IN THE WINTER!

DO NOT LET THE COVID-19 CRISIS STOP YOU FROM
SEEKING MEDICAL HELP. DO NOT DELAY IN CONTACTING
YOUR SURGERY IF YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL CONCERNS.