Diabetes: An Introduction
By: Syed Hassan (Maqbool) Public Speaker
Agenda
• What is Diabetes?
• What Diabetes UK does?
• How you can get involved?
What is Diabetes?
• Diabetes is a common life-long condition
• The amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood becomes too high because the body cannot use it properly
The Pancreas
Main Types of Diabetes
• Type 1: – Normally diagnosed under 40 years old
– Treated with Insulin, diet control and physical activity
• Type 2: – Normally diagnosed over 40 years old
– Treated with diet control and physical activity
– Tablets and/or Insulin may also be prescribed
Facts and Figures
• 3 million people diagnosed in the UK
• 850,000 undiagnosed people
• £9 billion spent by NHS annually on treating Diabetes and its complications
Diabetes UK figures 2012
Type 1 Diabetes Facts
• Body cannot produce Insulin
• Cells producing Insulin get damaged
• Cause is under medical research
• Possible cause is body’s abnormal reaction
• Maybe triggered by a viral or other infection
• You are more at risk if it runs in your family
Type 2 Diabetes Facts
• When body cannot produce enough Insulin
• Insulin already produced by body cannot work properly
• Cells producing Insulin get damaged
• You are more at risk if it runs in your family
Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors
• Caucasian/White: over 40 years of age
• Black and South Asian: over 25 years of age
• Family history of Diabetes
• Obese or overweight
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Blood circulation problems in extremities
• High blood pressure
Symptoms of Diabetes
• Feeling very thirsty
• Going to the toilet very frequently (esp. night)
• Feeling very tired
• Weight loss
• Loss of body muscle
• Blurred vision
If Diabetes is Left Untreated?
Why Awareness is Important?
• Early diagnosis and control of blood glucose level can reduce complications
• Diabetes UK help is at hand…
What Diabetes UK does?
• Reduce the spread of Diabetes on society using available methods
• Connect with, care for and improve the lives of people affected by Diabetes
• Create a better positive future for the Diabetic patients
• Campaign for all people affected by and at risk of Diabetes
• Work towards the cure of Diabetes
More about Diabetes UK?
• Largest patient organisation in the UK
• Largest charity fund provider to Diabetes research:
– More than £5.8m in 2012
– More than £6m in 2011
• Improving lives for more than seventy five years
• National and eight regional offices
How Diabetes UK Helps?
• Information - Publications, Web site, Care Line
Telephone: 0345 123 2399 (Local Rate Call)
• Support - Children's holidays, Family weekends, Peer
support service and Voluntary groups
• Research - Funds research towards finding better
treatments and ultimately its cure
• Campaigning - For better services of care, To help
prevent discrimination by Diabetes Voices
Current Diabetes UK Campaigns
More Campaigns for Better Care
How You can Get Involved?
• Become Supporting Member – Flexible and comes with bi-monthly magazine and access to information and services
• Join Diabetes Voices:
‒ Lots of different ways to make a difference ‒ Quick and easy online actions and
campaigning to improve services in your area ‒ Opportunities available for Diabetes Voices
members to receive training and support
Membership and Benefits
Thank You
• Diabetes UK Care Line:
– 0345 123 2399 (Local Rate Call)
• Web Site:
– www.diabetes.org.uk
• Regional Office:
– Tel: 01922 614500
