Be Aware - Support Diabetes Week says UUP MLA
North Down Ulster Unionist Alderman Leslie Cree MLA has offered his support to Diabetes Week which takes place on 11th –17th June.
“Over the next few weeks Diabetes UK Northern Ireland will be raising awareness about the seriousness of the illness and the importance of living with and managing the condition. Over 51,000 people in Northern Ireland have been diagnosed with diabetes and another 25,000 have the condition and don’t know about it,” said the MLA.”
“These are alarming statistics, however, one of the main objectives of Diabetes UK Northern Ireland’s awareness campaign, is to call for the establishment of active programmes that will help identify those people who may be at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.”
Diabetes UK state “Type 2 diabetes develops slowly and the symptoms are usually less severe. Some people may not notice any symptoms at all and their diabetes is only picked up in a routine medical check up. Some people may in fact put the symptoms down to “getting older” or “overwork”.
They also advise that Type 2 diabetes, on average, can take between nine and twelve years to diagnose someone with this form of the disease with up to 50% of people having a serious complication at the point of diagnosis. The longer someone is undiagnosed the more they are at risk of a serious complication such as heart disease, kidney failure, amputation, stroke and blindness.
They stress that early identification coupled with access to structured education, information and support will help provide people with the support to deal effectively with their condition and keep themselves healthy.
Type 1 diabetes develops much more quickly, usually over a few weeks and the symptoms are normally very obvious.
“ I commend the invaluable work that that is being done in terms of offering support and information to people living with diabetes. Diabetes UK Northern Ireland’s work extends to working in partnership with healthcare professionals and local health service providers, voluntary groups across Northern Ireland, raising vital research funds through fundraising events and of course awareness campaigns such as Diabetes Week that educates us all about the disease and the potential impact that it may have on our health. I would urge anyone who is experiencing any of the following symptoms as indicated by Diabetes UK to consider visiting their G.P.” stressed Mr Cree.
Diabetes UK list the main symptoms of diabetes as:
§ Increased thirst
§ Going to the loo all the time – especially at night
§ Extreme tiredness
§ Weight loss
§ Genital itching or regular episodes of thrush
§ Blurred vision