Ishita Roy

1 In 5 UK Adults Are Diabetic Or Pre-Diabetic; Experts Raise Concern As Most Are Under 40

Diabetes in UK

Charity <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/diabetes">Diabetes</a> UK, a leading charity for people living with diabetes in UK has called diabetes a "hidden health crisis", asking the government to act immediately. The backdrop of this is the new data, which shows that 1 in 5 adults living in the UK are diabetic or pre-diabetic. This is an all-time high in the UK. A year ago, the number of people diagnosed with the condition were 4.4 million, which has increased to 4.6 million.

This number also include around 8% with type 1 diabetes which happens when a person is unable to produce insulin, a hormone that helps the body turn glucose into energy. Among them, 90% have type 2 diabetes, which happens when the body does not use the insulin produced in your body properly. The remaining 2% have different and rarer form of the condition. 1.3 million people are also estimated to be living with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes. 

The charity also estimated a further 6.3 million people who are living with non-diabetic hyperglycemia, many of them do not even know that they have the condition. As per the National Health Scheme (NHS), non-diabetic hyperglycemia means you have blood sugar levels above the normal range but not high enough to be diagnosed as having diabetes. This is also known as pre-diabetes. People with non-diabetic hyperglycemia are at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but the risk can be reduced through lifestyle changes.

People with such conditions are also recommended to have a blood test every year to monitor their blood sugar levels. 

The chief executive of the charity, Colette Marshall, said, "These latest figures highlight the hidden health crisis we’re facing in the UK and underline why the government must act now. There must be better care for the millions of people living with all types of diabetes, to support them to live well and fend off the risk of developing devastating complications. With more people developing pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes at a younger age, it’s also critical that much more is done to find the missing millions who either have type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes but are completely unaware of it. The sooner we can find and get them the care they need, the more harm we can prevent.”

An open letter is also sent to the government from the charity for those living with undiagnosed diabetes. The letter urges the government to urgently identify such patients and to invest more in prevention programmes which can also promote lifestyle changes.

This is concerning because as per the NHS data released last year, there has been a 54% increase in the number of people aged up to 25 diagnosed with type 2 diabetes between 2016-17 and 2022-23. The clinical lead for diabetes at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, Dr Dulmini Kariyawasam, told the Independent that the growing rate of type 2 diabetes among young people was "alarming", especially due to the long-term harms it could have on them. Most of them are under the age of 40, and younger people were also less likely to access adequate healthcare for their condition, felt experts. This is also because there is a huge stigma among young people with their diagnosis. To combat, the trust in collaboration with King's College Hospital also set up two clinics for young people, working with varied team of health specialists.

Health Conditions A-Z

health

diabetes

diabetic

pre diabetic

pre diabetes

sugar levels

hyperglycemia

non-diabetic hyperglycemia

Actor Danny Dyer To Undergo Surgery For Hydrocele; What Does This Condition Mean?

Traffic Jams Lead To Unhealthy Cravings And Fast Food Habits, Study Reveals

Health News

10 Exercises You Should Do For Arm Strength

10 Ways You Can Maximize Your Gym Exercises

10 Exercises You Can Do While Walking

10 Healthy Savoury Pancakes To Have For Breakfast

10 Herbal Tea Mixes For Winters

10 Habits To Ensure Your Teeth Health

10 Detox Juices You Should Try

10 Low Impact Exercises For Weight Loss

10 Foods That Should Be Part Of A Runners Diet

10 Gym Exercises Basketball Players Should Do

10 Light Foods You Can Eat Before Exercises

10 Ways To Beat The Sleep Spell In Office

10 Tips To Help Muscle Recovery

6-6-6 Walking Routine Can Help You Stay Fit

10 Breathing Exercises To Try When You’re Feeling Anxious

10 Ways To Beat Morning Fatigue

10 Type Of Squats You Can Do For Weight Loss

Soaked vs. Roasted Chickpeas: Which One is Healthier?

10 Ways For Busy People To Stay Active

10 High-Calorie Foods to Watch Out For At Gatherings

10 Brain Exercises to Improve Your Focus and Memory

Creative Ways to Complete Your 10,000 Steps Indoors

10 Best Carb Choices for Managing Type 2 Diabetes

10 White Foods to Avoid for Better Weight Loss Results

10 Delicious Mediterranean Diet Dinners: Low-Carb and High-Protein Options

Healthy and Protein-Packed Late-Night Snacks to Satisfy Your Cravings

10 Negative Habits That Drain Your Mind’s Power

10 Brain-Boosting Activities to Sharpen Your Mind

10 Protein-Rich Breakfast Dishes To Try

10 Signs Your Heart Is Healthy

10 Foods To Improve Your Brain Health

10 Foods That Boost Your Metabolism

10 Exercise To Improve Grip Strength

10 Staple Foods To Make Eating Healthy Easier

10 Foods You Should Eat If You Are Weight-Training

10 Basics Rules Of Weight Training

10 Ways To Deal With Winter Dry Skin

Workout Week: 10 Back Exercises To Do At Gym

10 Healthy Chicken Recipes For Winter

10 Morning Habits That Can Make You Sick

Charity Diabetes UK, a leading charity for people living with diabetes in UK has called diabetes a "hidden health crisis", asking the government to act immediately. The backdrop of this is the new data, which shows that 1 in 5 adults living in the UK are diabetic or pre-diabetic. This is an all-time high in the UK. A year ago, the number of people diagnosed with the condition were 4.4 million, which has increased to 4.6 million. This number also include around 8% with type 1 diabetes which happens when a person is unable to produce insulin, a hormone that helps the body turn glucose into energy. Among them, 90% have type 2 diabetes, which happens when the body does not use the insulin produced in your body properly. The remaining 2% have different and rarer form of the condition. 1.3 million people are also estimated to be living with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes. The charity also estimated a further 6.3 million people who are living with non-diabetic hyperglycemia, many of them do not even know that they have the condition. As per the National Health Scheme (NHS), non-diabetic hyperglycemia means you have blood sugar levels above the normal range but not high enough to be diagnosed as having diabetes. This is also known as pre-diabetes. People with non-diabetic hyperglycemia are at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but the risk can be reduced through lifestyle changes.People with such conditions are also recommended to have a blood test every year to monitor their blood sugar levels. Call For ActionThe chief executive of the charity, Colette Marshall, said, "These latest figures highlight the hidden health crisis we’re facing in the UK and underline why the government must act now. There must be better care for the millions of people living with all types of diabetes, to support them to live well and fend off the risk of developing devastating complications. With more people developing pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes at a younger age, it’s also critical that much more is done to find the missing millions who either have type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes but are completely unaware of it. The sooner we can find and get them the care they need, the more harm we can prevent.”An open letter is also sent to the government from the charity for those living with undiagnosed diabetes. The letter urges the government to urgently identify such patients and to invest more in prevention programmes which can also promote lifestyle changes.Diabetes In Young PeopleThis is concerning because as per the NHS data released last year, there has been a 54% increase in the number of people aged up to 25 diagnosed with type 2 diabetes between 2016-17 and 2022-23. The clinical lead for diabetes at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, Dr Dulmini Kariyawasam, told the Independent that the growing rate of type 2 diabetes among young people was "alarming", especially due to the long-term harms it could have on them. Most of them are under the age of 40, and younger people were also less likely to access adequate healthcare for their condition, felt experts. This is also because there is a huge stigma among young people with their diagnosis. To combat, the trust in collaboration with King's College Hospital also set up two clinics for young people, working with varied team of health specialists.