Experts are issuing a warning to anyone with diabetes as deaths from the disease have tripled over the last 12 months.
Between January and March, more than 1,461 people with diabetes sadly lost their life, an increase of 456 from last year. Total excess deaths from diabetes since January 2022 hit 8,586, according to Diabetes UK, with the charity warning that 1.9million patients are missing out on routine check ups that could prove life saving.
The concerning figures come as the NHS continues to battle through a crippling backlog with lots of appointments postponed and waiting lists lengthened. Additionally, it is important for anyone suspecting they have the disease to know the symptoms to look out for and seek medical attention when required.
What is diabetes?
There are two forms of diabetes, type 1 and type 2.
Diabetes causes the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood to become too high. This happens when your body is unable to produce enough insulin - the hormone that controls blood glucose levels.
If you have diabetes you are required to take insulin each day to keep your blood sugar levels under control. The condition can be managed and everyday life can still be enjoyed if medication is taken correctly.
Type 1 is a lifelong conditions where the body's immune system attack and destroys the sells that produce insulin whereas type 2 diabetes is when the body is unable to produce enough insulin or the body does not react to insulin properly.
Type 1 diabetes is not linked with bodyweight, whereas type 2 diabetes can be related to weight.
Type 2 is far more common across the UK compared to type 1, with 90 per cent of sufferers having type 2 diabetes.
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
According to the NHS, symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:
- peeing more than usual, particularly at night
- feeling thirsty all the time
- feeling very tired
- losing weight without trying to
- itching around your penis or vagina, or repeatedly getting thrush
- cuts or wounds taking longer to heal
- blurred vision
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes include:
- feeling very thirsty
- peeing more than usual, particularly at night
- feeling very tired
- losing weight without trying
- thrush that keeps coming back
- blurred vision
- cuts and grazes that are not healing
- fruity-smelling breath
Type 1 diabetes symptoms can come on very quickly, especially in children.
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