15 June 2017

The following message is from our colleagues at Shropshire Council

Health and social care organisations across Shropshire are joining forces in support of a annual national diabetes campaign to urge local residents to get to know the disease and learn how to fight it.

The call to action is part of national Diabetes Week, led by Diabetes UK, running until Saturday 17 June 2017.

Diabetes is a serious life-long health condition that occurs when the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high because the body can’t use it properly.

If left untreated, high blood glucose levels can cause serious health complications such as heart disease, Retinopathy (which can lead to blindness), kidney disease and circulation problems and ulcers which can lead to amputations. There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. They’re different conditions, caused by different things, but they are both serious and need to be treated and managed properly.

Around 90% of those diagnosed with diabetes have type 2. However the risk of developing type 2 can be reduced by:

  • eating more healthily
  • losing weight (if you’re overweight)
  • becoming more physically active

In Shropshire, more than 15,000 people are diagnosed with the disease, with around 100 people being diagnosed each month. Also an estimated 35,000 people are living with pre-diabetes. People often have higher than normal blood sugars and are on their way to becoming type 2 diabetic; this is known as pre-diabetes. It is possible to reduce your risk of becoming type 2 diabetic, even if you have pre-diabetes.

Lee Chapman, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health, adult social care and housing, said: “Diabetes is a serious condition, but there are things you can do to help yourself from developing diabetes, manage the condition should you be diagnosed with it and avoid developing serious complications.

“I hope people take heed of the advice from Diabetes Week, and if need be seek further support from our local services.”

Shropshire Council’s public health “Healthy Lives” programme is helping to reduce the number of people at risk of getting type 2 diabetes, by offering more information sessions to help people to know their risk.

Shropshire’s Help2Change service also offers many programmes such as a free weight management service and a free stop smoking service, to help either reduce or manage the condition.

For further information on these programmes and other advice to help improve your health and well-being, contact Help2Change on 0345 678 9025 or visit Healthy Shropshire at www.healthyshropshire.co.uk

To find out whether you may be at risk of developing diabetes, Diabetes UK has developed a calculator to help you assess your risk here.

For more information about diabetes and national Diabetes Week campaign visit Diabetes UK.