50,000 in Wales Not Aware they Have Diabetes

Wed, 20 Jan 2010
A recent report states that 50,000 people in Wales are unaware they have diabetes .

More than 50 per cent of those diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2009 were not aware that they had the condition, so the report highlights today.

The Diabetes UK report shows widespread ignorance of the symptoms of this potentially life-threatening disease.

It shows that 56% of people were unaware that they had this chronic condition as they failed to identify its early symptoms.

Late diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes leaves individuals at risk of developing serious complications of the condition, such as, heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease and amputation .

50% of diabetics show signs of complications by the time of their diagnosis.

Most individuals are diagnosed with the condition accidentally whilst undergoing routine medical tests or whilst being treated for other conditions or medical issues.

Only 16% of people were diagnosed after they proactively asked for a diabetes test, the report said.

Poor diets, lack of exercise and our increasingly sedentary lifestyle all contribute to people developing diabetes .

Type 2 diabetes is often associate with being overweight and being over 40.

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