McGowan Travel S T R A B A N E
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Tel: 074 91 46151 (From NI 00353 74 91 46151)
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004477 0797 7770 from SOUTH
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OCTOBER 2011
DIABETES SURGE IN STRABANE already cost the NHS in Northern Ireland around £400m a year, 10% of its annual budget. With the numbers rapidly increasing it is now more important than ever that everything is done to prevent serious complications which cost the NHS millions and are absolutely devastating for the individuals and families involved.” By Kevin McAnena Around 85 per cent of people with diabetes (62,000) have Type 2 diabetes, which is often, but not always, The figures, which have been collected from GP linked to lifestyle factors. In many cases the conpractices in Strabane, show a 34% increase in the dition can be prevented by maintaining a healthy condition since 2006. In the last year there have weight, taking regular physical activity and eating a been 100 adults diagnosed with diabetes, a condi- balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables but low in tion which can lead to serious complications such as fat, sugar and salt. kidney disease, heart disease, amputation, stroke and According to the Northern Ireland Childhood Diabeblindness. tes Register there are also 1,000 children and young Diabetes UK Northern Ireland has warned of the people under the age of 17 diagnosed with Type 1 continuing growth of diabetes in the town, with the diabetes. The exact cause of Type 1 diabetes is still statistics showing that 1886 adults in Strabane are unknown but it is not in anyway linked to lifestyle now diagnosed with the condition. issues. Northern Ireland as a whole experienced an increase It is estimated that up to 10,000 people also have of over 5% on last year’s figures, with 72,693 adults diabetes but have not yet been diagnosed. The sympnow diagnosed. toms include urinating frequently especially at night, Iain Foster, Director of Diabetes UK Northern Ire- increased thirst, extreme tiredness, unexplained land, said: “We are in the middle of a diabetes epi- weight loss, genital itching or regular episodes of demic. An extra 21,000 people in Northern Ireland thrush, slow healing of cuts and wounds, and blurred are now living with diabetes since figures began to vision. be collected, less than a decade ago.” Anyone who has been diagnosed in the last year and “If we are going to seriously address this epidemic would like support is encouraged to visit the Diawe will need a regional approach which makes the betes UK website www.diabetes.org.uk/northerniremost of resources already being spent and ensures a land or the Diabetes UK Northern Ireland Facebook reduction in diabetes and its serious complications.” Group to make contact and find out what support is He added: “Treating diabetes and its complications available.
Shocking new figures have revealed that almost 2,000 adults in Strabane now suffer from diabetes.
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