MSP Highlights Diabetes Week

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has lent his backing to Diabetes Week, which takes place from 11th – 17th June.

Commenting on the Awareness Week, Mr Stevenson commented:

“Diabetes is a serious condition and as the number of people with diabetes increases year by year, Diabetes UK's work is needed more than ever and here’s hoping that they have a successful week achieving their aim of increasing the public's knowledge of diabetes, its symptoms and effects, and to raise funds for research into a cure.

“Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which there's an excessive amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood and more than 2 million people in the UK have been diagnosed with the condition, and an estimated half a million people have diabetes without knowing it.  Glucose is produced when certain foods are digested.  These foods include starchy products such as bread, rice, potatoes, chapatis and yams, and sugar and other sweet foods.

“There are complications that may arise from diabetes. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in people of working age in the UK.  About a third of people with diabetes may go on to develop kidney disease, and about 1,000 people in the UK have to have dialysis because of their diabetes.  However, that said, diabetes can be managed by a combination of healthy diet, regular physical activity and sometimes tablets and insulin injections.

“For those wishing to find out more about this condition they should call 020 7424 1000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or go to the website www.diabetes.org.uk.”