There are an estimated one million people in the UK who have diabetes but don't know it.
Don't be one of them - know the risk factors
So what if you are at risk of diabetes? What if you are one of the million people walking round completely unaware that they have it?
"Diabetes is no big deal - it's something to do with sugar, isn't it?"
Unfortunately, there's a lot more to diabetes than this common misconception. Diabetes is serious - you need to know about it. Read on and make sure you know the risk factors.
In a nutshell, diabetes occurs when the body can't use glucose (sugar) properly. As a result, people with diabetes have abnormally high levels of glucose in their blood. Diabetes can be treated with a healthy balanced diet alone, tablets or insulin injections.
What makes diabetes so serious is that the condition can affect other parts of the body, including the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart.
If you are at risk of having diabetes, it is vital you take steps now.
Many adults have had diabetes for several years before their symptoms are recognised. By the time they are diagnosed, a great many have already started to develop the complications of diabetes - blindness, kidney failure, heart disease, stroke and nerve damage that could lead to amputations.
Spotting diabetes early means that it can be treated and the risk of the serious complications can be greatly reduced.
There are two types of diabetes - Type 1 which typically affects people under 40 and Type 2, usually found in people aged 40 or more.
Do yourself a favour. Make sure you know about diabetes and who's at risk - just in case it's you.
The vast majority of people with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes. This type usually occurs in people over the age of 40. The older you are, the greater your risk of diabetes.
Research has shown that people are more at risk if there is a history of diabetes in close family members. The closer the relative, the greater your risk of diabetes.
People from African-Caribbean or Asian cultures living in this country are four to five times more likely to have diabetes than white members of the population.
Over 80% of people with Type 2 diabetes are overweight. The more overweight you are, the greater your risk of diabetes.
Some women when they are pregnant develop a temporary type of diabetes called 'gestational diabetes'. Having this, or giving birth to a large baby (4kg/8½lb or greater) can increase a woman's risk of going on to develop Type 2 diabetes.
The symptoms of diabetes will usually be very obvious in younger people, but may not be obvious or not appear in older people.
Older people will often put any symptoms down to 'getting on a bit' and not realise that they are displaying signs of having diabetes.
Know the following symptoms and take action if these apply to you:
If you feel some of the risk factors apply to you, or if you want to know more about diabetes, contact Diabetes UK. They are there to help.
Diabetes UK can help you understand more about the condition. Make sure you're fully informed about diabetes, particularly if you think you may be at risk.
Diabetes UK, Central Office. London: 020
7323 1531
Diabetes UK Northern & Yorkshire. Darlington: 01325
488606
The charity for people with diabetes
10 Queen Anne Street,
London
W1M OBD
Telephone: 020 7323 1531
Fax: 020 7637 3644
Email: info@diabetes.org.uk
Website
http://www.diabetes.org.uk
Registered charity no. 215199
For guidance on the use of rosiglitazone for
Type 2
diabetes go to:
http://www.nice.org.uk/nice-web/Docref.asp?d=8077&ss=rosiglitazone
This information is courtesy of Diabetes UK (the charity for people with diabetes) who kindly agreed to its publication on this website.