500,000 People In The UK Have Type-2 Diabetes And They Dont Know It
12/11/2011
NHS report reveals some shocking findings.
Type-2 diabetes is a chronic health condition caused by having too much glucose (sugar) in the blood.
Nearly 2.3 million people in the UK currently have diabetes, but an estimated 500,000 people have type-2 diabetes and don’t know they do, because they ignore or are unaware of its early signs.
A late diagnosis of diabetes enhances the risk of serious complications such as kidney failure, stroke, heart disease, amputation and blindness.
Reports show that middle aged men are twice as likely to have diabetes compared with women, but are less likely to visit their GP.
Diabetes risk assessment
As part of the NHS Health Check Scheme for people aged 40 – 74, GPs will assess whether you are at risk from developing, or may have type-2 diabetes.
Some elements of the assessment that will be taken into account will be your blood sugar levels, Body Mass Index (BMI), blood pressure and family history.
After the assessment if you are at an increased risk of developing diabetes, your GP will advise you on the necessary steps you should take to lower your risk of developing the disease.
Who is the most at risk?
Being overweight or obese is a key risk factor. Almost 80 per cent of people with type-2 diabetes are overweight. Other risk factors include having a large waist, having a family history of the condition and being over the age of 40, or over 25 if you’re Black or of South Asian descent.
At risk waist measurements are 37 inches or more for men, except those of south Asian origin who are at risk at 35 inches or more, and 31.5 inches or more for all women.
The warning signs of Diabetes
- Extreme tiredness
- Increased thirst
- Blurred vision
- Having to urinate all the time, especially at night
- Wounds which are slow to heal
- Genital itching or regular episodes of thrush