Diabetes

Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic condition, characterised by a raised level of glucose (sugar) in the blood. This arises when the pancreas, does not produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot use the insulin produced effectively.

There are three types of diabetes:

Type 1 - Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus requires insulin if the affected person is to survive

Type 2 - Non Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus requires insulin for metabolic control

Type3 -Gestational diabetes, which is a temporary condition that occurs during pregnancy; however women who suffer from gestational diabetes have a 50% risk of developing diabetes type 2

There are approximately 1.8 million people with diabetes in the UK and another million are estimated to have the condition but are not yet diagnosed. People are more at risk of the disease if they have a family history of diabetes, are over weight and suffer from hypertension.

Signs and symptoms include blurred vision, frequent urination, tiredness, thirst, dry mouth, weight loss, genital itching and slow healing cuts and wounds. There are several tests for diabetes one of the more commonly known is the fasting blood sugar test.

People with diabetes are more prone to bacterial infections e.g. boils, athletes foot. Other serious complications which may affect Diabetics are blindness, kidney disease, nerve damage especially in the lower limbs and amputations.

As with other chronic diseases, reducing smoking and alcohol intake, healthy eating and exercise will go a long way in preventing serious effects

Being compliant - that is taking medication as prescribed by your GP is also vital to the management of diabetes.

Key points

.....You are more at risk of diabetes

if you are overweight, especially if extra weight is around your stomach (apple shape)
are South Asian or African Caribbean
have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart disease

For your information

Diabetes Week 2008 takes place 8th -14th June 2008
More information will be available on the Diabetes UK website see link below

Useful links:

Diabetes UK

NHS Direct ** different languages available
NHS Choices

Who can help?

Your GP
Diabetes Nurses
Coventry Dietitians
based at University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire
Tel:024 7696 6161

Diabetes UK
10 Parkway
London NW1 7AA

infoscience@diabetes.org.uk

Please note some of the leaflets do come in different languages

Local Diabetes UK Group
Contact: Mrs Annette Green
100 Oxendon Way
Coventry
CV3 2GR
Tel 024 7644 9530

NHS Choices - Your health, your choices.