RTÉ’s Operation Transformation highlights dangers of type 2 diabetes
Diabetes Ireland welcomes focus on type 2 diabetes and launches dedicated microsite to coincide with RTÉ show
RTÉ’s flagship health promotion show, Operation Transformation, aired the first episode of its fifth season last night and highlighted the possible consequences and complications of having undiagnosed or poorly managed type 2 diabetes.
The programme showed that the general public needs to be more aware of the risk factors and symptoms of type 2 diabetes to avoid developing the condition.
To coincide with the show the advocacy body has launched a dedicated microsite where people can find out more about the risk factors, symptoms and complications that can be caused by undiagnosed or poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes.
The number of people with diabetes in Ireland is growing each year. At present there are 191,000 people with the condition, 30,000 of whom are undiagnosed.
More worryingly, a recent VHI study estimates that there are a further 146,000 Irish people with pre-diabetes – a quarter of these people with develop type 2 diabetes in the next 5 years unless they change their lifestyles.
“Type 2 diabetes is increasing at an alarming rate with 33% of people in Ireland reporting a family member with the condition. One of the main contributory factors to this epidemic is increasing obesity and that is why we welcome the focus being put on type 2 diabetes by the Operation Transformation team”, said Professor Seamus Sreenan, Consultant Endocrinologist and Medical Director of Diabetes Ireland.
People living with undiagnosed diabetes are running the risk of damaging their long term health and quality of life as testified by Mr. Kelly on last night’s programme.
Many people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes have already had up to 12 years exposure to high blood glucose levels and have health complications on diagnosis. Knowing the symptoms and risk factors of diabetes provides people with essential knowledge about the state of their own health.
Type 2 diabetes usually develops slowly in adulthood. It is progressive and can sometimes be treated with diet and exercise, but more often type 2 diabetes may require anti-diabetic medicine and/or insulin injections along with healthy eating and taking regular physical activity. .
The possible complications of type 2 diabetes are very serious and in some cases can be life threatening. So if people are worried they should go to their GP (family doctor) who can quickly and easily find out if they have the condition.
Undiagnosed or poorly controlled diabetes can damage someone’s heart, arteries, eyes, nerves and kidneys leading to serious health problems for them and their family to cope with. These risks were highlighted in last night’s programme through the Liam Kelly interview. This is why the earlier people are diagnosed, the more they can prevent or control these health problems from occurring.
Type 2 diabetes risk factors:
People are more at risk of getting type 2 diabetes if they:
• Are over 40 years of age
• Have a parent or brother/sister with diabetes
• Had diabetes during a pregnancy
• Are overweight for their height
• Do not take 30 minutes of physical activity daily
• Have high blood pressure
• Have high cholesterol.
And/or recognize any of these symptoms:
1. Blurred vision
2. Fatigue or lack of energy
3. Extreme thirst
4. Frequent trips to the bathroom (urination) especially at night
5. Rapid and unexplained weight gain or loss
6. Frequent infections
7. Numbness, pain or tingling in their hands or feet.
The more risk factors or symptoms someone has the more likely they are to have undetected diabetes or pre-diabetes. If someone is worried, they should speak to their GP and tell them why they think they may have type 2 diabetes. A simple diabetes test will ease any worries they may have.
“Diabetes is everywhere in Ireland. It’s in urban and rural communities, in rich areas and less well-off areas. We’re facing a national crisis and we need to act now”, Professor Sreenan added.
Diabetes Ireland, in partnership with MSD, has set up a micro site on www.diabetes.ie ‘A New Year – A New You’ where people can find out more about the risk factors, symptoms and complications that can be caused by undiagnosed or poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes.
