More than a million of us do not know that we have diabetes | Mail Online

More than a million of us do not know that we have diabetes

By DANIEL MARTIN
Last updated at 11:08 AM on 30th June 2010

More than a million Britons are unaware that they have diabetes, an alarming study has found.

Cases of the disease are soaring along with the rising tide of obesity - and experts warn the financial implications of diabetes-related illness could be ruinous for the Health Service.

The new data indicates that 5.5million people could be living with the condition by 2030, leaving the NHS to pick up the bill.

Hidden killer: Many people are unaware that they are suffering from the early stages of Type 2 diabetes. Regular check-ups can help Diabetics are at higher risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, leg amputation and blindness.

Around 2.6million people in Britain have type 2 diabetes, the form linked to obesity and inactive lifestyles.

And new figures from Diabetes Health Intelligence suggest 820,000 adults in England have undiagnosed diabetes.

Across the UK, this figure is likely to be 1.1 million, according to analysis by Diabetes UK.

This could push the number of sufferers of type 2 and type 1, which is not linked to unhealthy living, to 5.5million by 2030, the charity said.

Type 2 diabetes can go undetected for a decade or longer and around half of those diagnosed are already showing signs of complications.

Douglas Smallwood, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said: 'Avoidable in so many cases, the type 2 diabetes epidemic is a clear example of where the new government's rhetoric of tackling health problems through prevention must be turned into action.

'Failure to act now means a bleak future of spiralling NHS costs and worsening public health.'

He described the latest set of figures as 'truly alarming'.

'While screening of at-risk groups has started, notably through the NHS Health Checks programme, it is clear there needs to be greater emphasis on successful delivery throughout the country,' he added.

As well as being overweight, other risk factors for type 2 diabetes include being over 40 or having a close relative with the illness.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin - the hormone which enables sugar in the blood to enter the cells, where it can be converted into energy.

Too much sugar in the blood can damage the artery walls, leading to heart disease and stroke.

Care Services Minister Paul Burstow said last night: 'The increase in diabetes is extremely worrying.

'The Coalition Government has already signalled that public health is a priority.

'We must help people to tackle the causes of type 2 diabetes through dietary and lifestyle changes.

'Everyone should ensure they are aware of the symptoms of diabetes, which include thirst, tiredness, unexplained weight loss, passing urine frequently, blurred vision and frequent infection.

'If you or your child have any of these symptoms you must act immediately and contact your GP for a diabetes test. Delay may be dangerous, especially in children.

'Primary care trusts are also running risk-assessment programmes to identify and help people at high risk of diabetes.'

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