We are an increasingly unhealthy nation despite the fact mortality rates are reducing. We are on average living longer because of advancements in medical treatments but quality of life is in a vast number of cases is diminishing.
One issue increasingly being flagged up is the phenomenon of common place obesity and its direct link to Type 2 diabetes and many other ailments.
Figures recently released show that Type 2 Diabetes leads to 22000 premature deaths in the UK every year and costs the NHS £8 billion per year. In the UK 3.2 million people have Type 2 diabetes and that number is predicted to rise to 5 million by 2025.
This is a vast issue - a huge expense that could break the NHS.
How to deal with it? Some people argue that people have an obligation to society to make an attempt to help themselves by reducing their weight as a condition of treatment. Type 2 diabetes is after all mainly self inflicted. It is mainly caused by eating too much and not exercising enough. Some argue it is a result of laziness, slothfulness and ignorant behaviour in the face of well understood health advice. Others see it as more complex. Of course one can argue similar statistics can be flagged against the use of cigarettes and alcohol and this is true - but it does not diminish the issue.
Whatever the strategy employed the fact is this massive problem exists and is increasing. I think society DOES need to take a firmer line on its view towards obesity. Smoking has become anti social, as has using mobile phones while driving and excessive drinking (while still a major problem) is not considered acceptable behaviour anymore. You can argue obesity is anti social behaviour too and should be viewed as such. Right now however it seems to be going the other way and obese body shapes are becoming normalised and we no longer recognise them for what they are. This might be catastrophic both at a personal and societal level because of its long-term health implications.
I have downloaded some information about the impact of avoidable (self inflicted) Type 2 Diabetes :
TYPE 2 DIABETES
High glucose levels can damage blood vessels, nerves and organs. Even a mildly raised glucose level that doesn't cause any symptoms can have long-term damaging effects.
Prolonged, poorly controlled blood glucose levels increase the likelihood of atherosclerosis, where the blood vessels become clogged up and narrowed by fatty substances.
This may result in poor blood supply to your heart, causing angina, which is a dull, heavy or tight pain in the chest.
It also increases the chance that a blood vessel in your heart or brain will become blocked, leading to a heart attack or stroke.
This can cause a tingling or burning pain that spreads from your fingers and toes up through your limbs. It can also cause numbness, which can lead to ulceration of the feet.
Damage to the peripheral nervous system, which includes all parts of the nervous system that lie outside the central nervous system, is known as peripheral neuropathy.
If the nerves in your digestive system are affected, you may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation.
Blood vessels in the retina can become blocked or leaky, or can grow haphazardly. This prevents light fully passing through to your retina. If it isn't treated, it can damage your vision.
Annual eye checks are usually organised by a regional photographic unit. If significant damage is detected, you may be referred to a doctor who specialises in treating eye conditions (ophthalmologist).
The better you control your blood glucose levels, the lower your risk of developing serious eye problems.
Diabetic retinopathy can be managed using laser treatment if it's caught early enough. However, this will only preserve the sight you have rather than improve it.
It's usually associated with high blood pressure, and treating this is a key part of management.
In rare, severe cases, kidney disease can lead to kidney failure. This can mean a kidney replacement, treatment with dialysis or sometimes kidney transplantation becomes necessary.
About 1 in 10 people with diabetes get a foot ulcer, which can cause a serious infection.
If you have diabetes, look out for sores and cuts that don't heal, puffiness or swelling, and skin that feels hot to the touch. You should also have your feet examined at least once a year.
If poor circulation or nerve damage is detected, check your feet every day and report any changes to your doctor, nurse or podiatrist.
Read more about foot care and diabetes.
Women with diabetes may experience:
If your blood glucose level isn't carefully controlled during the early stages of pregnancy, there's also an increased risk of the baby developing a birth defect.
Pregnant women with diabetes will usually have their antenatal check-ups in hospital or a diabetic clinic, ideally with a doctor who specialises in pregnancy care (an obstetrician).
This will allow your care team to keep a close eye on your blood glucose levels and control your insulin dosage more easily, as well as monitoring the growth and development of your baby.
The Diabetes UK website has more information about diabetes complications.
Everyone who is on a diabetes register will be given the opportunity to have a digital picture taken of the back of their eye. Speak to your GP to register.
One issue increasingly being flagged up is the phenomenon of common place obesity and its direct link to Type 2 diabetes and many other ailments.
Figures recently released show that Type 2 Diabetes leads to 22000 premature deaths in the UK every year and costs the NHS £8 billion per year. In the UK 3.2 million people have Type 2 diabetes and that number is predicted to rise to 5 million by 2025.
This is a vast issue - a huge expense that could break the NHS.
How to deal with it? Some people argue that people have an obligation to society to make an attempt to help themselves by reducing their weight as a condition of treatment. Type 2 diabetes is after all mainly self inflicted. It is mainly caused by eating too much and not exercising enough. Some argue it is a result of laziness, slothfulness and ignorant behaviour in the face of well understood health advice. Others see it as more complex. Of course one can argue similar statistics can be flagged against the use of cigarettes and alcohol and this is true - but it does not diminish the issue.
Whatever the strategy employed the fact is this massive problem exists and is increasing. I think society DOES need to take a firmer line on its view towards obesity. Smoking has become anti social, as has using mobile phones while driving and excessive drinking (while still a major problem) is not considered acceptable behaviour anymore. You can argue obesity is anti social behaviour too and should be viewed as such. Right now however it seems to be going the other way and obese body shapes are becoming normalised and we no longer recognise them for what they are. This might be catastrophic both at a personal and societal level because of its long-term health implications.
I have downloaded some information about the impact of avoidable (self inflicted) Type 2 Diabetes :
TYPE 2 DIABETES
High glucose levels can damage blood vessels, nerves and organs. Even a mildly raised glucose level that doesn't cause any symptoms can have long-term damaging effects.
Heart disease and stroke
If you have diabetes, you're up to five times more likely to develop heart disease or have a stroke.Prolonged, poorly controlled blood glucose levels increase the likelihood of atherosclerosis, where the blood vessels become clogged up and narrowed by fatty substances.
This may result in poor blood supply to your heart, causing angina, which is a dull, heavy or tight pain in the chest.
It also increases the chance that a blood vessel in your heart or brain will become blocked, leading to a heart attack or stroke.
Nerve damage
High blood glucose levels can damage the tiny blood vessels in your nerves.This can cause a tingling or burning pain that spreads from your fingers and toes up through your limbs. It can also cause numbness, which can lead to ulceration of the feet.
Damage to the peripheral nervous system, which includes all parts of the nervous system that lie outside the central nervous system, is known as peripheral neuropathy.
If the nerves in your digestive system are affected, you may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation.
Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is when the retina, the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye, becomes damaged.Blood vessels in the retina can become blocked or leaky, or can grow haphazardly. This prevents light fully passing through to your retina. If it isn't treated, it can damage your vision.
Annual eye checks are usually organised by a regional photographic unit. If significant damage is detected, you may be referred to a doctor who specialises in treating eye conditions (ophthalmologist).
The better you control your blood glucose levels, the lower your risk of developing serious eye problems.
Diabetic retinopathy can be managed using laser treatment if it's caught early enough. However, this will only preserve the sight you have rather than improve it.
Kidney disease
If the small blood vessels of your kidney become blocked and leaky, your kidneys will work less efficiently.It's usually associated with high blood pressure, and treating this is a key part of management.
In rare, severe cases, kidney disease can lead to kidney failure. This can mean a kidney replacement, treatment with dialysis or sometimes kidney transplantation becomes necessary.
Foot problems
Damage to the nerves of the foot can mean small nicks and cuts aren't noticed and this, in combination with poor circulation, can lead to a foot ulcer.About 1 in 10 people with diabetes get a foot ulcer, which can cause a serious infection.
If you have diabetes, look out for sores and cuts that don't heal, puffiness or swelling, and skin that feels hot to the touch. You should also have your feet examined at least once a year.
If poor circulation or nerve damage is detected, check your feet every day and report any changes to your doctor, nurse or podiatrist.
Read more about foot care and diabetes.
Sexual dysfunction
In men with diabetes, particularly those who smoke, nerve and blood vessel damage can lead to erection problems. This can usually be treated with medication.Women with diabetes may experience:
- a reduced sex drive (loss of libido)
- less pleasure from sex
- vaginal dryness
- less ability to orgasm
- pain during sex
Miscarriage and stillbirth
Pregnant women with diabetes have an increased risk of miscarriage and stillbirth.If your blood glucose level isn't carefully controlled during the early stages of pregnancy, there's also an increased risk of the baby developing a birth defect.
Pregnant women with diabetes will usually have their antenatal check-ups in hospital or a diabetic clinic, ideally with a doctor who specialises in pregnancy care (an obstetrician).
This will allow your care team to keep a close eye on your blood glucose levels and control your insulin dosage more easily, as well as monitoring the growth and development of your baby.
The Diabetes UK website has more information about diabetes complications.
Looking after your eyes
The NHS diabetic eye screening programme will arrange for you to have your eyes checked every year.Everyone who is on a diabetes register will be given the opportunity to have a digital picture taken of the back of their eye. Speak to your GP to register.
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