I don't know about you but where I am, the most common ailment that I encounter these days is diabetes and today, the anniversary of Frederick Banting's (one of those who developed insulin) birthday is the day set aside to bring the disease into the spotlight.
This year is the last in a five year cycle that dedicated to education and prevention and so mark the drawing to a close of that particular campaign.
But what do we know about the illness?
The shock statistics (for me at least) are the estimation that more than one in 20 people in the UK has diabetes (diagnosed or undiagnosed). That means that something around 6% (or higher) has this condition and it is predicted that around 5,000,000 (that's five million) people will be suffering from it by 2025!
The frightening statistic is that which says around 850,000 people in the UK have undiagnosed diabetes.
SO WHAT DO WE DO?
First and foremost read this (it's the key statistics and figures on UK Diabetes)
Then read this and if you think some of them apply to you - talk to your doctor;
Type 2 diabetes: Develops slowly over a period of time - often only picked by optician's visit (that's the puff of air on the eye!) or a general medical examination. The main symptoms of undiagnosed diabetes include:
- passing urine more often than usual, especially at night
- increased thirst
- extreme tiredness
- unexplained weight loss
- genital itching or regular episodes of thrush
- slow healing of cuts and wounds
- blurred vision
Asking someone who works in this area what the greatest prevention was - their answer was:
Watch your weight for type 2 and being overweight go hand in hand!
Please take a moment to have a think about this disease and your own health - being aware of it might stop you offering those you know who suffer from it biscuits and sweets!!!
Please pray for those who suffer from it and for those who work to find a cure to this debilitating and life-shortening illness.
