Diabetes Nhs

Nhs 'wastes Billions On Diabetes'

The majority of NHS spending on diabetes is avoidable, says a report in the journal Diabetic Medicine. It suggests that 80% of the NHS's £9.8bn annual UK diabetes bill goes on the cost of treating complications. Experts say much of this is preventable with health checks and better education - something the Department of Health says it is tackling. The report also predicts that by 2035, diabetes will cost the NHS £16.8bn, 17% of its entire budget. If this rise in diabetes is allowed to continue, it will simply be disastrous for NHS budgetsBaroness Barbara Young, Chief executive of Diabetes UK BBC Health: Diabetes treatment There are 3.8 million people living with diabetes in the UK. The study looked at annual direct patient care costs for both types of diabetes, with Type 2 at £8.8bn being far higher than that of Type 1 at £1bn. Both Type 1 diabetes, which tends to appear in childhood, and Type 2 diabetes, often linked to diet, lead to problems controlling the amount of sugar in the blood. Complications occur when people with diabetes sustain high levels of glucose over a long period. This can lead to increased chances of developing disease-related complications, such as kidney failure, nerve damage, damage to the retina, stroke and cardiovascular disease. Budget crash Baroness Barbara Young, from Diabetes UK - one of the charities involved in the Impact Diabetes report - said: "The report shows that without urgent action, the already huge sums of money spent on treating diabetes will rise to unsustainable levels that threaten to bankrupt the NHS. "If this rise in diabetes is allowed to continue, as is happening at the moment, it will simply be disastrous for the NHS and wreck NHS budgets. I think we have a car crash coming. "But the most shocking part of this report Continue reading >>

Nhs Risking People's Health By Rationing Test Strips, Diabetes Uk Says

The NHS is putting diabetic patients at risk of serious illness by rationing test strips that monitor blood glucose levels in an attempt to save money, a charity claims. A survey carried out by Diabetes UK found that one in four complained of restrictions placed on the number of test strips they were prescribed by GP practices. People with diabetes need to test their blood glucose regularly to monitor the condition. If not managed properly, diabetes can lead to health complications such as heart disease, strokes, blindness and amputations. More than half of those professing problems had type 1 diabetes. Government guidance says this group should test themselves at least four times a day. Older people and those on low incomes were also affected, the charity found. Many said they felt they needed to buy test stripsonline, where quality cannot always be guaranteed. People with diabetes were given a variety of reasons for the reduced number of strips prescribed, according to the charity. Some respondents to the survey said they had been told they should test less often. Some were told there were “budget constraints”, while others were told it was because they were testing too frequently. “They said I had my allowance for the month,” said one respondent. Another said: “I was told they were expensive and we should test less. Only need to test four times a day. We use a pump, so need to test every two hours.” Some said they were having to ask for repeat prescriptions more often. “I now need to order and collect a prescription monthly, or sooner, depending on any issues that crop up,” wrote one. Often when people complained to the practice, their normal prescription was reinstated. But Diabetes UK said they were concerned that people had to challenge the GP prac Continue reading >>

Diabetes

Watch Tom's story (NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme) This animation follows Tom who has been told he is at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. It looks at how Tom can prevent the disease from developing and how he got the help and support he needed from the Healthier You: NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme. News and blogs A flagship NHS diabetes prevention scheme has succeeded in signing up significantly more people than expected according to a comprehensive progress report published today (20 December) in leading academic health journal, Diabetic Medicine. The report which is co-authored by experts from NHS England, Public Heath England and the charity Diabetes UK, charts the positive impact […] Continue reading >>

Type 2 Diabetes

Symptoms The symptoms of diabetes include feeling very thirsty, passing more urine than usual, and feeling tired all the time. The symptoms occur because some or all of the glucose stays in your blood and isn't used as fuel for energy. Your body tries to get rid of the excess glucose in your urine. The main symptoms, which are common to both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, are: urinating more often than usual, particularly at night feeling very tired unexplained weight loss cuts or wounds that heal slowly blurred vision – caused by the lens of the eye becoming dry The signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes are usually obvious and develop very quickly, often over a few weeks. These signs and symptoms aren't always as obvious, however, and it's often diagnosed during a routine check-up. This is because they are often mild and develop gradually over a number of years. This means you may have type 2 diabetes for many years without realising it. See your GP as soon as possible if you think you may have diabetes. Early diagnosis and treatment for type 2 diabetes is very important as it may reduce your risk of developing complications later on. Hyperglycaemia Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas, a large gland behind the stomach, can't produce enough insulin to control your blood glucose level, or when the cells in your body don't respond properly to the insulin that is produced. This means your blood glucose levels may become very high, and is known as hyperglycaemia. Hyperglycaemia can occur for several reasons, including: eating too much being unwell ineffective diabetes medication, or not taking enough Hyperglycaemia causes the main symptoms of diabetes, which include extreme thirst and frequent urination. Next review due: 27/06/2018 Type 2 diabetes occurs when t Continue reading >>

Nhs Diet Advice For Diabetes

Tweet In the UK, current 2016 NHS diabetes diet advice is that there is no special diet for people with diabetes. Many people with diabetes focus on the carbohydrate content of their meals and prefer a low-carb diet for tight blood glucose level control. The NHS (and Diabetes UK) recommend a healthy, balanced diet that is low in fat, sugar and salt and contain a high level of fresh fruit and vegetables. This guide reviews the diet advice the NHS gives to people with diabetes and discusses to what degree the advice is sensible. What does the NHS advise? The NHS provides the following diet advice for people with diabetes: [147] [148] Eat plenty of starchy carbohydrates with a low glycemic index (low GI) Increase the amount of fibre in your diet Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables - at least 5 portions per day Cut down on fat and saturated fat in particular Choose foods with unsaturated fat instead - such as vegetable oils, reduced fat spreads, oily fish and avocados Choose low-fat dairy products Choose lean meat - such as skinless chicken Avoid fatty or processed meat Eat fish at least twice a week and ensure you have oily fish at least once a week Eggs and beans are other good sources of protein Cook food by grilling, baking, poaching or steaming instead of frying or roasting Avoid fatty or sugary snacks - such as crisps, cakes, biscuits and pastries Eat snacks such as fruit, unsalted nuts and low-fat yoghurts Cut down on sugar Eat less salt - have less than 6g of salt (2.4g of sodium) per day Cut down on alcohol Don’t skip breakfast Keep hydrated - aim to drink between 1.6 and 2 litres of fluid each day Is the NHS advice sensible? Whilst a number of these points are undoubtedly sensible, some of the recommendations have been criticised by patients and some leading UK h Continue reading >>

Symptoms

The symptoms of type 1 diabetes can develop very quickly (over a few days or weeks), particularly in children. In older adults, the symptoms can often take longer to develop (a few months). However, they should disappear when you start taking insulin and the condition is under control. The main symptoms of diabetes are: feeling very thirsty urinating more frequently than usual, particularly at night feeling very tired weight loss and loss of muscle bulk itchiness around the genital area, or regular bouts of thrush (a yeast infection) blurred vision caused by the lens of your eye changing shape slow healing of cuts and grazes Vomiting or heavy, deep breathing can also occur at a later stage. This is a dangerous sign and requires immediate admission to hospital for treatment. See your GP if you think you may have diabetes. When to seek urgent medical attention You should seek urgent medical attention if you have diabetes and develop: a loss of appetite nausea or vomiting a high temperature stomach pain fruity smelling breath – which may smell like pear drops or nail varnish (others will usually be able to smell it, but you won't) Hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose) If you have diabetes, your blood glucose levels can become very low. This is known as hypoglycaemia (or a "hypo"), and it's triggered when injected insulin in your body moves too much glucose out of your bloodstream. In most cases, hypoglycaemia occurs as a result of taking too much insulin, although it can also develop if you skip a meal, exercise very vigorously or drink alcohol on an empty stomach. Symptoms of a "hypo" include: feeling shaky and irritable sweating tingling lips feeling weak feeling confused hunger nausea (feeling sick) A hypo can be brought under control simply by eating or drinking somethin Continue reading >>

Diabetes: A Ticking Time Bomb For The Nhs?

Diabetes is one of the fastest growing conditions worldwide, with the International Diabetes Federation predicting that at least one in ten adults could have the illness by 2030. There are currently 3.8 million people living with diabetes in the UK. This is expected to rise to 6.25 million by 2035/6. But in spite of growing numbers developing condition, research shows that not enough is being done to tackle it in this country. A report published in May by the National Audit Office (NAO) reveals that many are still not receiving expected standards of care, leading to avoidable deaths, and increased expenditure for the NHS. Figures show that in 2009/10, just half of people with diabetes in the UK received the nine essential NICE-recommended checks and services for people with the condition. Furthermore, in some areas of the country a mere 6 per cent of people received these necessary checks. A separate report also underlines the costs that diabetes and its associated complications could pose to the NHS unless properly tackled. Published in the April edition of Diabetic Medicine, the report suggests that the total cost of diabetes, including indirect costs relating to death and illness, could rise to £39.8 billion by 2035/6. While the figures are projections based on current trends and so likely to change over time, they indicate the severity of the epidemic, and the need for awareness among healthcare professionals and the public alike. Carry out checks to prevent complications There are two forms of diabetes, with type 2 diabetes being the most common, accounting for 85 per cent of all adult cases. The Diabetic Medicine report says that around 79 per cent of the current NHS budget for the condition goes towards treating complications resulting from type 2 diabetes. It a Continue reading >>

How To Tell If You Have Type 2 Diabetes

Many people have type 2 diabetes and don’t realise. This is because symptoms don’t necessarily make you feel unwell. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include: peeing more than usual, particularly at night feeling thirsty all the time feeling very tired losing weight without trying itching around your penis or vagina, or you keep getting thrush cuts or wounds that take longer to heal blurred vision You’re more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes if you: are over 40 (or 25 for South Asian people) have a close relative with diabetes (parent, brother or sister) are overweight or obese are of South Asian, Chinese, African-Caribbean or black African origin (even if you were born in the UK) When to see your GP See your GP if you have any of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes, or you’re worried you may have a higher risk of developing it. Your GP can diagnose diabetes. You’ll need a blood test which you may have to go to your local health centre for if it can’t be done at your GP surgery. The earlier diabetes is diagnosed and treatment starts, the better. Treating diabetes early reduces your risk of other health problems. Type 2 diabetes is often diagnosed following blood or urine tests for something else. However, if you have any symptoms of diabetes you should see your GP straight away. To find out if you have type 2 diabetes, you usually have to go through the following steps: Speak to your GP about your symptoms. Your GP will check your urine and arrange a blood test to check your blood sugar levels. It usually takes about 1 to 2 days for the results to come back. If you have diabetes, your GP will ask you to come in again to explain the test results and what will happen next. If you’re diagnosed with diabetes What your GP will discuss with you during your appointme Continue reading >>

Type 2 Diabetes

Overview Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person's blood sugar level to become too high. The hormone insulin – produced by the pancreas – is responsible for controlling the amount of glucose in the blood There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 – where the pancreas doesn't produce any insulin type 2 – where the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin or the body's cells don't react to insulin These pages are about type 2 diabetes. Read more about type 1 diabetes. Another type of diabetes, known as gestational diabetes, occurs in some pregnant women and tends to disappear after birth. Symptoms of diabetes The symptoms of diabetes occur because the lack of insulin means glucose stays in the blood and isn't used as fuel for energy. Your body tries to reduce blood glucose levels by getting rid of the excess glucose in your urine. Typical symptoms include: feeling very thirsty passing urine more often than usual, particularly at night feeling very tired weight loss and loss of muscle bulk See your GP if you think you may have diabetes. It's very important for it to be diagnosed as soon as possible as it will get progressively worse if left untreated. Causes of type 2 diabetes Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body doesn't produce enough insulin to function properly, or the body's cells don't react to insulin. This means glucose stays in the blood and isn't used as fuel for energy. Type 2 diabetes is often associated with obesity and tends to be diagnosed in older people. It's far more common than type 1 diabetes. Treating type 2 diabetes As type 2 diabetes usually gets worse, you may eventually need medication – usually tablets – to keep your blood glucose at normal levels. Complications of type 2 diabetes Diabetes can cause serious long-term heal Continue reading >>

Type 2 Diabetes

Overview Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person's blood sugar level to become too high. The hormone insulin – produced by the pancreas – is responsible for controlling the amount of glucose in the blood There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 – where the pancreas doesn't produce any insulin type 2 – where the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin or the body's cells don't react to insulin These pages are about type 2 diabetes. Read more about type 1 diabetes. Another type of diabetes, known as gestational diabetes, occurs in some pregnant women and tends to disappear after birth. Symptoms of diabetes The symptoms of diabetes occur because the lack of insulin means glucose stays in the blood and isn't used as fuel for energy. Your body tries to reduce blood glucose levels by getting rid of the excess glucose in your urine. Typical symptoms include: feeling very thirsty passing urine more often than usual, particularly at night feeling very tired weight loss and loss of muscle bulk See your GP if you think you may have diabetes. It's very important for it to be diagnosed as soon as possible as it will get progressively worse if left untreated. Causes of type 2 diabetes Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body doesn't produce enough insulin to function properly, or the body's cells don't react to insulin. This means glucose stays in the blood and isn't used as fuel for energy. Type 2 diabetes is often associated with obesity and tends to be diagnosed in older people. It's far more common than type 1 diabetes. Treating type 2 diabetes As type 2 diabetes usually gets worse, you may eventually need medication – usually tablets – to keep your blood glucose at normal levels. Complications of type 2 diabetes Diabetes can cause serious long-term heal Continue reading >>

National Nhs Diabetes Initiative Launched In Major Bid To Prevent Illness

The NHS and Public Health England (PHE) are today (12 March 2015) starting a major national initiative to prevent illness by unveiling the first ever at-scale National NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme. Simon Stevens, NHS England’s Chief Executive, is to announce the move in a major speech at the Diabetes UK conference in London. The programme, which is a joint initiative between NHS England, PHE and Diabetes UK, aims to significantly reduce the 4 million people in England otherwise expected to have Type 2 diabetes by 2025. It is estimated that a big proportion of Type 2 diabetes could be prevented, and England will be the first country to implement a national evidence-based diabetes prevention programme at scale, delivering on the commitment set out in the NHS Five year forward view and PHE’s Evidence into Action last year. Well-designed randomised controlled trials in Finland, the USA, Japan, China and India show 30 to 60% reductions in the incidence of Type 2 diabetes over 3 years in adults at high risk through intensive lifestyle change programme interventions. If the national programme could replicate this success, it could save tens of thousands of lives in the future, and millions of pounds for the NHS. Simon Stevens, NHS England Chief Executive, said: It’s time for the NHS to start practising what we preach. The NHS already spends an estimated £10 billion a year on potentially avoidable illnesses, and the human toll is more than 100 amputations a week and around 20,000 early deaths every year. Yet for over a decade we’ve known that obesity prevention cuts diabetes and saves lives. If these results were from a pill we’d doubtless be popping it, but instead this programme succeeds by supporting people to lose weight, exercise and eat better. So today we Continue reading >>

The Nhs Is Turning To Tech To Help Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

Last year, the NHS launched a diabetes prevention programme aimed at helping high-risk patients stop or delay the onset of full-blown Type 2 diabetes. NHS England has now announced that it's turning to tech for the second phase of the project, and will pilot the use of digital tools and wearables to further the programme's goal. Eight regions in the UK will aim to recruit over 5,000 patients in total over the next six months to take part in a year-long trial of new ways to tackle obesity and high blood sugar levels, both of which are common precursors to Type 2 diabetes. Many of the resources on offer to participants revolve around promoting a healthier lifestyle to help bring blood sugar levels down. These include online personal coaching sessions, support groups, and various apps designed to help you set positive goals and achieve them. Some patients will also receive wearables as part of the programme. In one intensive six-week course by OurPath, a wearable will be paired with a smart weighing scale. A longer-term project will see participants wear Buddi's medical-grade Nujjer activity, sleep and eating tracker. The Nujjer wristband and app is specifically designed to decrease the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. The NHS has thought about how activity tracking could be used to promote healthier lifestyles before, but this diabetes prevention programme is the first time wearables have been made available to NHS patients. Encouraging people to lead healthier lives can help prevent any number of illnesses developing, but wearable tech is becoming increasingly valuable in treating diabetes. Rumor has it a future generation of the Apple Watch could even include glucose monitoring functionality to help diabetics better manage their chronic condition. Continue reading >>

Diabetes, Type 2

Introduction Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person's blood sugar level to become too high. The hormone insulin – produced by the pancreas – is responsible for controlling the amount of glucose in the blood There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 – where the pancreas doesn't produce any insulin type 2 – where the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin or the body's cells don't react to insulin These pages are about type 2 diabetes. Read more about type 1 diabetes. Another type of diabetes, known as gestational diabetes, occurs in some pregnant women and tends to disappear after birth. Symptoms of diabetes The symptoms of diabetes occur because the lack of insulin means glucose stays in the blood and isn't used as fuel for energy. Your body tries to reduce blood glucose levels by getting rid of the excess glucose in your urine. Typical symptoms include: passing urine more often than usual, particularly at night feeling very thirsty feeling very tired weight loss and loss of muscle bulk Read more about the symptoms of type 2 diabetes. It's very important for diabetes to be diagnosed as soon as possible as it will get progressively worse if left untreated. Read about how type 2 diabetes is diagnosed. See your GP if you think you have diabetes. Causes of type 2 diabetes Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body doesn't produce enough insulin to function properly, or the body's cells don't react to insulin. This means glucose stays in the blood and isn't used as fuel for energy. Type 2 diabetes is often associated with obesity and tends to be diagnosed in older people. It's far more common than type 1 diabetes. Read more about the causes and risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Treating type 2 diabetes As type 2 diabetes usually gets worse, you may event Continue reading >>

Nhs To Give Out Fitbit-style Gadgets In Bid To Cut Diabetes

More than 5,000 people are to test apps, gadgets and wristbands similar to Fitbits which will track sleep and their activities as part of a 12-month trial. Public Health England said the pilot scheme - which will run in eight areas of the country - is “the next logical step in diabetes prevention”. The technology being used includes a Buddi Nujjer device - which monitors activity, sleep and eating and has an app which can help with diet - while people will also be given educational software and personal coaching sessions. Professor Jonathan Valabhji, national clinical director for obesity and diabetes, said: “Tackling obesity and the rising prevalence of Type 2 diabetes are the major public health challenges of our time. “Through this initiative, we have the potential to establish the effectiveness of digital interventions to do the same, so that the reach of the programme will be even greater.“ Simon Stevens, the CEO of NHS England, said: “So much else in our lives is now about online social connection and support, and that now needs to be true too for the modern NHS. “This new programme is the latest example of how the NHS is now getting practical and getting serious about new ways of supporting people stay healthy.” Some 2.9 million people in England are already diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, with obesity seen as a key driver. Figures suggest that Type 2 diabetes leads to 22,000 early deaths every year and costs the NHS around £8.8 billion. Continue reading >>

Diabetes And The Nhs

National spotlight for York research into cost of diabetes treatment Research by the York Health Economic Consortium (YHEC) has projected that the NHS’s annual spending on diabetes in the UK will increase from £9.8 billion to £16.9 billion over the next 25 years - a rise that means the NHS would be spending 17 per cent of its entire budget on the condition. BBC Radio 4’s Today programme highlighted the Impact Diabetes report which also suggests that the cost of treating diabetes complications (including kidney failure, nerve damage, stroke, blindness and amputation) is expected to almost double from the current total of £7.7 billion to £13.5 billion by 2035/6. Developed in partnership with Diabetes UK, JDRF and Sanofi Diabetes, the report was published in the journal Diabetic Medicine. It highlighted the high percentage (79 per cent) of NHS diabetes spending that goes on complications – many of which are preventable – and speculates that investing in the checks and services that help people manage the condition and therefore reduce risk of complications could actually be less expensive than the current approach. The report quantifies the current costs of direct patient care for diabetes (which includes treatment, intervention and complications) and indirect costs of diabetes, such as those related to increased death and illness, work loss and the need for informal care, and also predicts the UK’s future costs of diabetes. According to the report, the total cost associated with diabetes in the UK currently stands at £23.7 billion and is predicted to rise to £39.8 billion by 2035/6. Diabetes is a prominent disease in the UK which has a significant societal and economic burden. Key findings from the report include: There are currently around 3.8 million peo Continue reading >>