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Diabetes

Who suffers from diabetes and why is it relevant to me?

As the number of people with diabetes continues to increase and as thousands still walk around undiagnosed it is a big health problem.

What symptoms should I look for ?

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.

If you are in any doubt it is best to check as early treatment will also reduce the chances of developing serious health problems. You can visit your doctor and also Lloyds pharmacy offer free testing, for your nearest store visit http://www.lloydspharmacy.co.uk

Why should I worry about diabetes?

Approximately 1.4 million people in the UK are known to have diabetes, and there are an estimated one million people in the UK who have diabetes but don't know it. There are two types of diabetes, the most common form is Type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes develops much more quickly, usually over a few weeks, and symptoms are normally very obvious.
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 put the symptoms down to 'getting older' or 'overwork'. People who are overweight are particularly likely to develop Type 2 diabetes. It tends to run in families and is more common in Asian and African-Caribbean communities.

People at an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes include:

People who are overweight
People who have a family history of diabetes
White people aged over 40 and
People from black and minority ethnic groups aged over 25
Increasingly, many more people are being diagnosed at a much younger age.

What are the complications ?

The reason diagnosis is so important is that diabetes can affect other parts of the body. As so many people are undiagnosed for years , other complications can have arisen by the time they are aware they have diabetes. Complications include heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, and nerve damage .

Nutritional consultant Jessica gives some suggestions for people with diabetes. To arrange for a personal consulation please click here

Nutrition and diabetes

As with all aspects of nutrition the relationship between eating carbohydrates (cereals, fruits and vegetables) and type 2 diabetes, (late onset diabetes) is complex. Diabetes disrupts the mechanisms by which the body controls blood sugar. Eating refined carbohydrate-containing foods, whether high in sugar or high in starch (refined cereals, potatoes, etc), sharply raises blood sugar and insulin levels. The blood sugar–raising effect of a particular food, called its “glycaemic index (GI) or glycaemic load (GL),” depends on how rapidly its sugar is metabolized. People eating large amounts of high glycaemic index foods have been reported to be at increased risk of type 2 diabetes and on the other hand, eating a diet high in carbohydrate-rich foods with low glycaemic indexes is associated with a low risk of type 2 diabetes. Beans, peas, fruit, and oats have low glycaemic indexes, despite their high carbohydrate content, due mostly to the health-promoting effects of soluble fibre. A high-fibre diet has been shown to work better in controlling diabetes and focus should be placed on fruits, vegetables, seeds, oats, and whole-grain products. Eating fish and white meat also may protect from diabetes. Incorporating extra virgin olive oil, chicken or turkey and oily fish into a weight-loss regime is a very effective way for improving glucose and insulin metabolism and high cholesterol. Saturated fats from red meat and dairy worsen glucose tolerance and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes. It may also contribute to cardiovascular disease, the leading killer of people with diabetes. Dairy products have also been implicated in playing a major part in the development of type 2 diabetes due to a molecule they contain called IGF-1, which disrupts our hormone cycle.

Other suggestions are:
• EXERCISE since people who exercise are less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who do not
• AVOID ALCOHOL since alcohol worsens glucose tolerance
• STOP SMOKING since people with diabetes who smoke are at higher risk for kidney damage

Most people with type 2 diabetes are overweight and studies have shown that diabetes improves with weight loss, so what are you waiting?

How do I find our more about living with diabetes?

You should get some support from your doctor but also do your own research. Diabetes UK has a host of information on their site. Details below.

Type 1 diabetes is treated by injections of insulin for the rest of your life but also needs you to eat a healthy diet that contains the right balance of foods.

Type 2 diabetes is treated mainly by diet, with a need to eat a healthy diet that contains the right balance of foods. Sometimes the doctor may feel this is not enough to keep your blood glucose levels normal so you may also need to take tablets.

Books available:

A range of diabetic monitoring strips and meters are available online from many chemists including

For more information

Diabetes UK

Aims to improve the lives of people with diabetes and to work towards a future without diabetes

Diabetes UK
10 Parkway,
London NW1 7AA

Diabetes UK Careline 0845 120 2960
Diabetes UK Customer Services 020 7424 1010
Textphone 020 7424 1031
Website : www.diabetes.org.uk

Children with diabetes

This is an American based site designed to promote understanding of the care and treatment of diabetes, especially in children.
The site includes an email support group for UK parents of children with diabetes, accessible via the website. For more information on the UK group contact jackie.jacombs@childrenwithdiabetes.com

http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com