Do you suffer from diabetes without knowing it?
@owlwings (43897)
Cambridge, England
January 8, 2008 5:28am CST
There are 750,000 people in the UK who have Type 2 diabetes but don’t know it.
Today (7 January 08) Gordon Brown promised a more personal and preventative NHS as he spelt out plans for a new national health screening programme to provide patients with early warning of some of the most serious conditions.
His remarks came as he declared the Government's intention to set up the first national screening programme of its kind in the world, spotting the early signs of heart problems, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease.
In his first major speech on health since becoming Prime Minister last year, Mr Brown promised "deeper and wider reform" of the NHS, including screening for all at-risk patients and stronger sanctions against poor performance.
If you already know you or someone you know has diabetes or are wondering if you might have, there is information on this page:http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Of course, it doesn't matter if you are not from the UK. Wherever you are, if you feel you may be at risk from Diabetes, you should check with your doctor.
3 people like this
7 responses
@rsa101 (40952)
• Philippines
9 Jan 08
The website seems interesting.... I do have Type 2 and so far I kept it at bay at the moment since my blood sugar has returned to normal for the past six months or so. But the doctor said that this is just temporary while my body is still strong and because I am taking medications. I f I don't change my diet and stop my medications I might get the disease back again.
@owlwings (43897)
• Cambridge, England
9 Jan 08
Look at it this way. You have Type 2 diabetes and you are taking medication and watching your diet so your blood sugar is normal. PLEASE don't think that you are 'cured' (even temporarily) from diabetes! It's merely that you have it under control. It is not a disease (like a cold or cancer) that can be cured. It is a condition (where the body does not produce enough insulin or no longer responds to it).
There is NO cure for diabetes (as yet). There are good management systems which can help one lead a normal life if you have the condition.
1 person likes this
@rsa101 (40952)
• Philippines
10 Jan 08
That is true... I am just as lucky I was diagnosed early on when my blood glucose has crossed the borderline and now I was able to manage my glucose levels to normal again. It is very important that those who have it is aware that they have it than those people that have it but they are not aware of it.
@academic2 (7000)
• Uganda
8 Jan 08
I am not usually a fan of Mr. Brown, but on this one I feel the PM has moved on vey well, tackling the attendant problems of diebetes bedevilling the health Sector-Bravo Mr. Brown!
1 person likes this
@owlwings (43897)
• Cambridge, England
8 Jan 08
I'm not a big fan of Mr 'Golden' Brown, either. I think that screening for diabetes is very important, though. My daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 at the age of 20. She had actually gone to the doctor with flu symptoms and he happened to check her blood sugar level. It was so low, he said, that she should have been in a coma!
She now works for the organisation I gave the link for http://www.diabetes.org.uk/ supporting people her age. She appeared (briefly) on The One Show earlier this month.
1 person likes this
@dorypanda (1601)
•
8 Jan 08
I think it would be a very good idea to get screened for 'heart problems, diabetes and kidney disease'. I think all of those are much easier to deal with if they're found early enough. This is definatley one thing our new prime minister will be doing right. (if it goes ahead of course)
@nannacroc (4049)
•
8 Jan 08
Thanks for this link Owlwings. I haven't got diabetes at the minute but my mum, both my sisters and an uncle all have type 2 diabetes so there is a high chance tht I will get it. The link is useful as it is virtually impossible to get an appointment with my doctor so I only go if I realy need to.
1 person likes this
@badkat83 (1620)
• United States
8 Jan 08
I will have to check this out. Thanks. My dad has bad diabetes, and I know sometimes it can be passed down. I have to eat small meals, because if I don't, I get shaky. I have had my blood checked frequently but everything is ok. So I am eating healthy now.
@owlwings (43897)
• Cambridge, England
8 Jan 08
I would guess that your dad has Type 2 diabetes. I am not sure whether it can be passed on genetically (I don't believe there is any evidence as yet) but it's certainly worth having your blood sugar checked regularly.
Even if you don't have diabetes, your dad may need care and support. It would be worth your while joining a support group such as the one I mentioned.
1 person likes this
@wmaths (561)
• Italy
30 Jan 08
It could be a really big problem if you are diabetic and you don't know it. I was only 15 when I started feeling bad. The doctor noticed all the symptons of this desease and then I did the blood exams. It was then that I discovered that I had the diabet.
