remember to watch out for the four Ts

Dr David Chaney, NI national director of the Diabetes UK charity, says more adults are being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes later in life.

He adds: “With the majority of Type 2 diabetes cases we can point to lifestyle and diet as contributing factors, but Type 1 diabetes is not related to lifestyle and diet. It is an auto immune condition which means that the pancreas ceases to produce insulin, therefore insulin must be injected daily for survival.”

The symptoms to look out for, particularly in children and young people, are the four Ts:

Tired — sleeping more than normal or lethargic

Thirsty — experiencing an unquenchable thirst day and night

Thinner — sudden, unexplained weight loss

Toilet — needing to go to the bathroom more often, notably through the night or wetter nappies on babies than normal

“If you think your child has these symptoms then act quickly and seek medical advice.

“Diabetes, whatever type you have, is a very serious condition with serious consequences if it is not managed well. The long-term complications associated with diabetes includes lower limb amputation, kidney failure and, in some cases, blindness.

“Diabetes is a lifelong and, sometimes, a life changing condition but it can be managed with the right information, support and services in place.”

For further information contact Diabetes UK Northern Ireland tel 028 9066 6646 or email n.Ireland@diabetes.org.uk