November is Diabetes Awareness Month. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas is no longer able to make insulin, or when the body cannot make good use of the insulin it produces. As a result, there is too much glucose (sugar) in the blood and over time, if untreated, can lead to a number of health problems.

Here are some important statistics on diabetes in the UK:

• It is estimated that just under 4 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes.
• A further 1 million adults are thought to have diabetes but are undiagnosed. 
• Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90% of all cases of diabetes with type 1 diabetes accounting for under 10% of cases.
• An estimated 12 million adults in the UK are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. 
• People with type 2 diabetes are 50% more likely to die prematurely than those without diabetes, mainly due to the increased risk of heart disease.
• Diabetes is a leading cause of kidney and eye disease.
• However, the good news is that more than half of cases of type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed through adopting a healthier lifestyle and losing weight if you are overweight.
• Similarly, people who have recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes can put their condition into remission if they lose excess weight.

Check your risk of developing type 2 diabetes HERE

Read some of the most common myths and facts about diabetes HERE

If you are living with Diabetes, I will be posting a number of articles in November for Diabetes awareness month.