‘Huge epidemic’ of diabetes due to poor lifestyle Major health crisis as medics try to cope with 600,000 cases in region
DIABETES in Birmingham is at crisis point following figures showing an alarming rate of people suffering from the disease.
Statistics more than nosed with region.
Ninety per cent of them are suffering from the preventable Type 2 – and Diabetes UK has warned the situation is getting worse.
“There is a huge epidemic of diabetes,” said Pete Shorrick, from the charity. “People are not eating healthily or exercising.
“Not doing this regularly will mean that some will go on to develop the condition.
“They need to eat better and instead of frying food, they need to grill or oven-bake things. Diet is the most important thing in controlling Type 2 diabetes.
“There is a real ignorance out there and unless people see how serious the problem is, it will only get worse.
“It has point.” show that there are 600,000 people diagthe condition in the already reached crisis
He added that more is needed to be done by the NHS to educate people about the illness.
“GPs and nurses need to make sure patients take on some responsibility in terms of diet and exercise,” he said.
“We know that there are 100,000 people with pre-diabetes in Birmingham, who are potentially developing life-threatening conditions as a result.
“The longer people go untreated, the more dangerous it gets. People can have Type 2 for 10 years before they are diagnosed.”
Diabetes UK is holding an awareness event at Edgbaston cricet stadium on August 4, in a bid to try to stop the crisis and raise funds for the charity.
It will be held during the England vs Pakistan test match. Go to www.edgbaston.com/news/edgbaston-diabetes-uk-partner-thirdinvestec-test-match.