N.Wales diabetes cases top 30,000; Call for more checks to find thousands of missed sufferers.Byline: MARTIN WILLIAMS THE number of people with diabetes in North Wales has risen above 30,000. The figure has increased by over 1,500 people to 30,471 in the last 12 months. Health chiefs are concerned thousands more have yet to be diagnosed with the condition. Overall in Wales, 7,000 more people were diagnosed with diabetes in the last year - many of them Type 2, which is also known as late-onset diabetes. Diabetes UK Cymru said obesity rates and poor lifestyle choices have sent the numbers soaring to a total of 146,000 diabetics across the country, while around 305,000 Welsh people are registered as obese. This compares to nearly 139,000 diagnosed with diabetes and more than 300,000 being registered obese the year before. Shockingly, the data mean that one in nine people are being treated for obesity in Wales and around one in 20 for diabetes, with this country having more people diagnosed than Scotland and Northern Ireland. Dai Williams, National Director of Diabetes UK Cymru, told the Daily Post: "These latest figures are extremely worrying. "Diabetes is a serious condition that causes heart disease, stroke, amputations, kidney failure kidney failure or renal failure Partial or complete loss of kidney function. Acute failure causes reduced urine output and blood chemical imbalance, including uremia. Most patients recover within six weeks. and blindness, and more deaths than breast and prostate cancer prostate cancer, cancer originating in the prostate gland. Prostate cancer is the leading malignancy in men in the United States and is second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer death in men. combined. He added: "Many, but not all, people with Type 2 diabetes type 2 diabetes n. See diabetes mellitus. are overweight or obese. "Therefore we need to do all we can to raise awareness of diabetes and help people understand how following a balanced diet balanced diet n. A diet that furnishes in proper proportions all of the nutrients necessary for adequate nutrition. balanced diet and leading an active lifestyle can help reduce their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. "If we don't stop the rising tides of obesity and diabetes, millions will face a future of ill-health and will put an ever-growing strain on NHS NHS abbr. National Health Service NHS (in Britain) National Health Service resources." People in Dolgellau can check if they are at risk of developing diabetes as the Diabetes UK Measure Up Roadshow arrives at the Marian car park on October 26, for two days between 9am and 5pm. The roadshow, which is travelling across Wales, encourages people to measure their waistline to see if they are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Mr Williams added: "It's frightening that there are around 850 people in Gwynedd alone who may have Type 2 diabetes but have no idea they do. "I would urge everyone who can to visit the Measure Up Roadshow in Dolgellau. "It could be the best thing you ever did for your health." Volunteers are needed to give out information at the Dolgellau roadshow. If you would like to help out call 02920 668276 or e-mail wales@diabetes.org.uk. Visit www.diabetes.org.uk/measureup to find out if you are at risk of Type 2 diabetes. martin.williams@dailypost.co.uk |
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