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Diabetes explosion – 504,000 in the North West to have the condition
by 2025
SHOCKING
new figures reveal that by 2025 there will be 504,000 people with
diabetes in the North West region, warns leading health charity
Diabetes UK. Currently 280,000 people in the region are
diagnosed with diabetes and an estimated 65,000 also have the
condition but are not aware of it. The dramatic new statistics, the
equivalent of a 46% increase, also show that the total number of
people with diabetes in the UK is set to rise from 2.8 million to
more than 4.2 million by 2025.
Most of the increase will be due to rising numbers of overweight or
obese people in the UK: 80% of people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes
are overweight at the time of diagnosis. The increase will have
major consequences on the general health of the UK population as
diabetes is a serious condition that can lead to devastating
complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney disease and
amputation.
It will also mean higher costs for the NHS which already
spends around £10,000 per minute treating diabetes and its
complications.
Julie Byron, Manager of the Diabetes UK North West office, said:-
“These new figures are shocking and confirm that diabetes is one
of the main health challenges facing the UK today.
Awareness and
prevention are crucial if we want to avert this future health crisis
and see the number of people with Type 2 diabetes fall.
We need to
encourage people to reduce their risk of developing the condition by
eating healthily, maintaining a healthy weight and leading an active
lifestyle.”
To help address the diabetes epidemic and as part of Diabetes Week,
8 June 2008 to 14 June 2008, Diabetes UK is releasing a series simple steps on
how to reduce your risk of Type 2 diabetes.The 5 top tips for
preventing Type 2 diabetes are:
* Eat well. Eat a healthy balanced diet low in salt, sugar and fat
with lots of fruit and vegetables.
* Be physically
active. Being physically active can reduce your risk of developing
Type 2 diabetes by up to 64%.
* Quit smoking.
Smoking can lead to high blood pressure which causes heart disease –
a significant risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetes.
* Watch your waist.
Weight around your waist increases your risk of Type 2 diabetes. If
you are male and your waist measures 37 inches or more (or 35 inches
or more for men of South Asian origin); or you are female and your
waist is 31.5 inches or over, then you could be at risk of Type 2
diabetes.
* Get checked out.
Type 2 diabetes can be undetected for up to 12 years, meaning that
50% of people already have serious complications by the time they’re
diagnosed. If you have a large waist, are over 40 (or over 25 if
you’re Black or Asian) and a close member of your family has
diabetes, you should see your doctor for a diabetes test.
Diabetes UK is committed to funding more than £7 million of medical
research every year to investigate the causes and prevention of
diabetes, to improve care and treatment of diabetes and ultimately
to work towards a cure. The charity is running a series of
fundraising activities throughout Diabetes Week to help raise much
needed funds.
Anyone wanting more information on how to get involved during
Diabetes Week can visit the Diabetes UK
website.
To do our online Measure-Up two-minute
test to find out if you are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes,
please visit our
website.
Circus Masquerade will be at New Pleasureland Southport!
THE Circus Masquerade will be visiting New Pleasureland
Southport throughout the Summer. They will be the First Circus
to Play a full Season in the resort since the 1980's. The 90
min Spectacular will be based in a Big Top inside the Park and
features amazing acts from around the World. The circus Takes
Place on the 5 July, 6 July, 12 July and 13 July 2008 then Daily
From 19 August 2008 through until 31 August 2008 (except 15 August,
16 August & 17 August 2008)!
Contact New Pleasureland Southport on 01704 532 717 for more
information... |
LOCAL CARERS SAY, "WE CAN'T AFFORD TO BE ILL"
NEW survey results from the North
West highlight health risks for carers, with significant problems on
the horizon, both for carers and those they care for.
The results of a new survey reveal that it's currently not "good
to talk" for carers living in the North West with around 36%
saying that they have not had the opportunity to discuss their
worries or wellbeing with anyone else over the past 12 months.
This does not compare well to other areas of the UK where emotional
support appears to be higher, over 50% of carers from Scotland and
the South West said they were often able to share their problems
with others. Indeed, carers across the country – who
tirelessly devote their time, effort and energy to looking after a
loved one, could be putting their own health at risk by ignoring
symptoms or not finding the time to visit their own GP for help and
advice.
Throughout the UK, 6 million carers look after an ill, frail or
disabled family member, partner or friend. Long-term health problems
amongst carers will lead to significant problems for:-
• carers themselves
• those they care for
• the state (carers save the country £87 billion a year on latest
estimates)1
The results of this new survey of 2,000 carers – also revealed that
77% of those questioned feel that their health is worse as a result
of the strain of caring (for many, up to 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week).
Launched today (9 June 2008) as part of Carers Week 2008, the survey
highlights the effect that caring – whether on a long or short term
basis – can have on the emotional and physical wellbeing of carers.
To help deliver the impact of a 'day in the life of a carer' a
'spoof' (yet realistic) job description* will also be released,
spelling out the lack of pay, perks and benefits for those taking on
the role of one of today's millions of carers.
Although the survey showed that a large majority of carers admit to
feeling ill, anxious or exhausted, a staggering 95% of those
questioned said they regularly cover up or disguise the fact that
their health was suffering in order to continue with their caring
responsibilities. Worryingly, 19% of these carers said they ignored
feeling ill "all the time". 24% of carers said they
frequently felt unable to cope with their day-to-day duties due to
the physical and emotional stresses of their caring role, and a
further 64% said they were occasionally unable to cope.
Carers Week supporter, and the North West's very own TV presenter
and actor, Paul O'Grady (who has personal experience of caring),
says:- "I was surprised to learn that around 6 in 10 of us -
from all walks of life - will become carers at some time in our
lives. Wanting to look after our loved ones is human nature -
but this sometimes comes at a price with many carers having to
sacrifice their own health and well-being. Taking a break, a
holiday or even time out to visit the doctor is just not an option.
I have the utmost respect for carers and believe they deserve all
the support and recognition as they can get - and more".
Based on the survey results, it is perhaps little wonder that the
health of so many carers is suffering, with:-
- 71% said that they hadn't been able to take at least 1 week of
"holiday"
or "free" time when they were not having
to care for someone
- 60% of carers who are also in paid employment, say they have used
part of their annual leave simply to allow them to devote more time
to their role as a carer
- 20% of those said they used more than 10 days of their holiday
allocation.
Paul Matz, Carers Week Manager, comments:- "Whilst we were
saddened to see the results of this survey so obviously highlighting
the fact that such a great number of carers from the North West are
"suffering" because of their role and responsibilities, we
were not surprised. The health and wellbeing of carers is always
there – it is not confined to one week a year when we all stop and
think about it. For many, it is 24/7. Who is caring for the carers?
It is vital that health professionals on
the ground recognise the needs of people who are caring for others
and ensure they are receiving the help and attention they deserve.
With the right support, caring shouldn't have to be a demoralising
and stressful experience. It can be rewarding and fulfilling, but
only if carers themselves are feeling mentally and physically well." |
