Do you know the facts of diabetes?
Diabetes is something that we should all be aware of, even more so because Type 2 is something that we can help prevent. Yet, it would seem people are in the dark about the health condition, as new research on diabetes, revealed by Dr Hilary Jones, is estimating nearly a million British people think the condition is something you can ‘catch’ from other people.
The celebrity GP, who’s spent a large part of his time dealing with patients suffering from diabetes, is speaking out after the poll commissioned by HealthExpress showed over a quarter of British people are eating at least one chocolate bar every day – while the same number admit to drinking more than three cups of tea or coffee with sugar. The research of 2,000 people also shows nearly one in five are drinking at least one alcoholic drink every day, and a quarter admit they never exercise.
The disease affects nearly three million British people, although some figures suggest up to one million others could be living with diabetes without knowing it; eating high amounts of sugar, being overweight and a lack of exercise can increase chances of developing Type 2 of the condition.
According to the poll, 37% believe the condition is only something overweight people have while nearly one in ten don’t think they’ll get it because diabetes ‘doesn’t run in their family’.
Dr Hilary has been looking into how much the country knows about diabetes, especially as the Christmas season of indulgence gets underway, and he’s calling on people to consider the Four T’s; Toilet, Thin, Thirsty and Tiredness – four tell-tale signs of the condition.
In light of the new research, he’s been exploring the results in more detail and is providing help and advice on what can be done to reduce your chances of developing it.