Diabetes is not an obvious health condition, and roughly 30% of people in the UK don't know they have it.
There are perhaps two main issues.
The first issue revolves around around human nature. Few of us, I believe, really want to know if we have either the potential for, or already have, a non-curable disease. Why have the added stress of knowing that we have an incurable disease? I think this may be paticularly true of males like myself. I avoid going to the doctor at all costs - I think it's a pride thing. I don't want to be dependant on anything or anyone.
I may be going a little over the top here, but do we really want to know if we are seriously ill?
Even if we do go to see the doctor, it's often only if we feel really ill - and type 2 diabetes can take sometime for us to feel that way.
Given that some of the symptoms are tiredness, slightly impaired vision and stress, it's easy to put these things down to getting older (not old age as such, just "not being able to do what we used to do") and pressure at work.
Keeping fit and checking with our doctors every year becomes so important as we age.
One of the first noticable symptoms of type 2 diabetes is tiredness. This is because the body either has stopped producing insulin to the level needed, or the body has developed a resistance to insulin. Insulin is the "gatekeeper" to our cells which allows the cells to absorb the sugar we need to function properly. A lack of, or resistance to, insulin, then causes the sugars to remain in the blood and hence we feel tired because we are not converting that sugar into energy.
Type 2 diabetes can cause long term damage to the eyes, the central nervous system and our renal function.
It's a fact that in the UK a third of those undergoing dialysis have type 2 diabetes. The potential for kidney damage is the same for both type 1 and type 2 sufferers. Control of blood sugars, blood pressure and lowering your bad cholesterol are the main ways of preventing or slowing the onset of kidney disease.
Diabetes can also damage the optic nerve. Retinopathy and catarats are more common in diabetics, so it is vital to have an annual eye check which checks the back of the eye itself, as opposed to a simple vision check.
Approximately sixty percent of diabetics suffer from what is caled neuropathy. This is damage to the nerves the consequence of which is often a loss of feeling in the feet and legs. It can sometimes lead to amputation. If blood sugars are controlled, it can be avoided, but if sugars are ignored, neuropathy generally sets in after 10 years or so.
So don't let pride get in your way when it comes to the doctor. Try and get a yearly medical check up, and don't put feelings of tiredness down to old age.
There are perhaps two main issues.
The first issue revolves around around human nature. Few of us, I believe, really want to know if we have either the potential for, or already have, a non-curable disease. Why have the added stress of knowing that we have an incurable disease? I think this may be paticularly true of males like myself. I avoid going to the doctor at all costs - I think it's a pride thing. I don't want to be dependant on anything or anyone.
I may be going a little over the top here, but do we really want to know if we are seriously ill?
Even if we do go to see the doctor, it's often only if we feel really ill - and type 2 diabetes can take sometime for us to feel that way.
Given that some of the symptoms are tiredness, slightly impaired vision and stress, it's easy to put these things down to getting older (not old age as such, just "not being able to do what we used to do") and pressure at work.
Keeping fit and checking with our doctors every year becomes so important as we age.
One of the first noticable symptoms of type 2 diabetes is tiredness. This is because the body either has stopped producing insulin to the level needed, or the body has developed a resistance to insulin. Insulin is the "gatekeeper" to our cells which allows the cells to absorb the sugar we need to function properly. A lack of, or resistance to, insulin, then causes the sugars to remain in the blood and hence we feel tired because we are not converting that sugar into energy.
Type 2 diabetes can cause long term damage to the eyes, the central nervous system and our renal function.
It's a fact that in the UK a third of those undergoing dialysis have type 2 diabetes. The potential for kidney damage is the same for both type 1 and type 2 sufferers. Control of blood sugars, blood pressure and lowering your bad cholesterol are the main ways of preventing or slowing the onset of kidney disease.
Diabetes can also damage the optic nerve. Retinopathy and catarats are more common in diabetics, so it is vital to have an annual eye check which checks the back of the eye itself, as opposed to a simple vision check.
Approximately sixty percent of diabetics suffer from what is caled neuropathy. This is damage to the nerves the consequence of which is often a loss of feeling in the feet and legs. It can sometimes lead to amputation. If blood sugars are controlled, it can be avoided, but if sugars are ignored, neuropathy generally sets in after 10 years or so.
So don't let pride get in your way when it comes to the doctor. Try and get a yearly medical check up, and don't put feelings of tiredness down to old age.
About the Author:
Toby was living with diabetes for almost two years now, but lives a near normal life and has a number of interests. Have a look at his latest website offering great deals on tentsforcampingreview.comat http://www.tents for campingreview.com
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