World health day: Halt the rise in Diabetes

 

We start by looking at some estraordinary statistics:

Today: 4 out of 10 Irish adults are overweight

                3 out of 10 Irish adults are obeses

The cause is simple: we are eating too many calories and not getting enough exercise.

The World Health Organistaion have estimated that by 2030:  9 out of 10 Irish adults will be overweight or obese……..the 2nd heighest in obesity rate in the world, just behind Uzbekistan.

Obesity and Diabetes are linked. Unfortunately, obesity triggers Type 2 diabetes. Our bodies simply can not break down the quantity of sugar abese people are eating. All this sugar builds up in our blood. This sugar overload in our blood has a detrimental effect on our bodies and can initially lead to symptoms such as:

·      Tiredness/sluggishness

·      Unquenchable thirst

·      Blurry vision

·      Going to the toilet frequently

·      Extreme hunger

·      Having more infections than usual

 

So what about Diabetes?

Its where the sugar build up becomes toxic, and you need to take medicine to artifically lower your blood sugar level, back to its normal range.

 

And what does it mean to be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes? Is it a serious illness?

 

So, if you are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and you are aged between 30 and 49, you can expect to have 15 years cut off your life.

 

This statistic is from the “Diabetes Natural History Study” carried out by the Joslin Clinic, which is affiliated to Harvard Medical School.

 

But that’s not all! Sugar is a toxin and also does terrible damage to our bodies over periods of time, and eventually with Type 2 Diabetes:

·      You could go blind

·      Have limbs amputated

·      Suffer from kidney failure

·      Have extensive nerve damage…..and much more besides……

And finally, you are put out of your misery by having a heart attack or a stroke.

That’s Diabetes!

 

The 2007 Slan Study, commissioned by the Department of Health, estimates there could be up to 500,000 Irish people with pre-diabetes and undiagnosed diabetes.

This is a ticking health timebomb. We simply do not have the resources or the capacity to deal with this coming Diabetes Tsunami.

What can Pharmacy’s do to prevent this oncoming Diabetes epidemic?

 

We can start to identify who these 500,000 high risk people are, through a simple blood sugar test. This can be carried out at any Pharmacy, and appropriate advice or refferal can then be made to those who who need it.

 

If you live in the south side of Cork City, you can contact me through our website, ring me or simply call in and we can test your blood sugar level, at no charge.

 

If your blood sugars are in the danger zone for pre-diabetes – we can help.

 

I have developed a “pre-diabetes reversal plan” that has been proven to reverse you out of pre-diabetes. How do I know my reversal plan works?

 

Because just over 3 years ago, I had a blood sugar level of over 7mmol, this figure “technically” diagnosed me, not with pre-diabetes, but as a full blown diabetic.

That shock motivated me to change the way I lived my life….small changes, but meaningful changes, and I lost 5 and a ½ stone and brought my blood sugar level to under 5mmol. It wasn’t easy, but I did it.

Why? Because I knew that my life literally depended on my success.

 

A key factor to the success of my reversal plan, was applying the Nobel Prize Winning research behind decision making, in order to better understand our decision making process, and help us make better decisions as a result, and lets face it, that’s all it is…….a decision. A decision on whether to eat a packet of biscuits or not to eat it. Ultimately, you decide.

 

If you are tired, sluggish or overweight contact us today. We can help.

 

Garvan Lynch M.B.A. (Public Health) D.I.C.