Latest news with #DiabetesUK
South Wales Argus
6 days ago
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Penallta parkrun set to host diabetes awareness event
Donna, a dietitian with type 1 diabetes, and Karen, a respiratory nurse, helped to organise an event at the Penallta parkrun on Saturday, June 21. The event is a partnership between Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Diabetes UK, and parkrun. They want to raise awareness of the illness, especially among the 8 per cent of adults with the condition in Gwent. Diabetes can lead to serious complications, including disability and death. Donna, who manages Community Dietetics at the Health Board and lives with type 1 diabetes, said: "I cannot wait to do the full parkrun at Penallta on the 21st June in support of Diabetes." Karen balances her roles as a grandmother and respiratory nurse, with helping out at her local parkrun. (Image: Aneurin Bevan University Health Board) She said, "I'd encourage anyone to go to their local parkrun, meet new people, get a bit fitter and live a longer, healthier life." Professor Tracy Daszkiewicz, director of public health for Gwent, said: "We are delighted to collaborate with Diabetes UK and parkrun to raise awareness about diabetes across Gwent".
Daily Record
27-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Inspiring Scot with chronic illness completes Edinburgh Marathon while vlogging experience
The inspiring runner completed the marathon with type one diabetes. An inspiring Scot completed the Edinburgh Marathon while vlogging about the challenges of a chronic illness. Callum, who has type one diabetes, completed the marathon on Sunday. He was diagnosed with the condition after he drastically began losing weight and his eyesight "fell off a cliff". The influencer shared his story on TikTok, saying: "But here I am today - the fittest I've ever been, probably the healthiest I've ever been aside from having type one diabetes." Type one diabetes is a condition where the body cannot produce insulin, the hormone which breaks down sugar to use as energy. Edinburgh Live reports that as a result, blood sugar levels become too high in the blood and lead to complications. Throughout his impressive four-hour marathon race, his blood sugar ranged from low to high - showcasing the daily ups-and-downs that come with living with type one diabetes. For healthy individuals, normal fasting blood sugar levels are between 4.0 to 5.4 mmol/L, and up to 7.8 mmol/L two hours after eating, according to Diabetes UK. Callum's ranged from 11.1 mmol /L to much lower. When Callum was 33km into the race, he shared an update when his blood sugar was at 4.5 mmol/L. He said: "Thirty-three kilometers in, blood sugar still dropping, so I'm just going to walk for a bit to see if I can level this out because I've had so much sugar. Still not going up." He completed the race with a time of around four hours, saying: "That was tough" upon crossing the finish line. The video garnered over 46,000 views in less than 24 hours. Callum has previously posted on social media saying "Doing any type of long distance running when you have type one diabetes can be pretty annoying due to the amount of extra stuff you have to bring. "The main things to bring with you are a ton of emergency sugar and to make sure you're carrying your insulin pen with you." He added in his post: " Edinburgh Marathon 2025 with my blood sugar levels throughout. "I met a lot of other people with type one diabetes as well as a lot of people raising money for it which is always amazing to see. "It really was a four season kind of day from beautiful sunshine to really heavy winds to rain and hailstones at one point which were absolutely awful. Still good, still happy. I ran a marathon with type one diabetes."
Edinburgh Live
26-05-2025
- Health
- Edinburgh Live
Man with a chronic illness completes Edinburgh Marathon while vlogging his experience
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A man with a chronic illness completed the Edinburgh Marathon while vlogging about the challenges of undertaking the massive challenge. Callum, an influencer with type one diabetes, posts videos online about living with the illness. He was diagnosed with type one diabetes when he began drastically losing weight and his eyesight "fell off a cliff" and he suddenly could not "read the number plate in front of him". The influencer shared his story on TikTok, saying "But here I am today - the fittest I've ever been, probably the healthiest I've ever been aside from having type one diabetes." Type one diabetes is a condition where the body cannot produce insulin, the hormone which breaks down sugar to use as energy. As a result, blood sugar levels become too high in the blood and lead to complications, according to the NHS. On Sunday, May 25, he completed the 26-mile Edinburgh Marathon and shared a vlog about completing the enormous physical effort while sharing his blood sugar levels every five kilometers. Throughout his impressive four-hour marathon race, his blood sugar ranged from low to high, showcasing the daily ups-and-downs that come with living with type one diabetes. For healthy individuals, normal fasting blood sugar levels are between 4.0 to 5.4 mmol/L, and up to 7.8 mmol/L two hours after eating, according to Diabetes UK. Callum's ranged from 11.1 mmol/L to much lower. When Callum was 33km into the race, he shared an update when his blood sugar was at 4.5 mmol/L, saying: "Thirty-three kilometers in, blood sugar still dropping, so I'm just going to wlak for a bit to see if I can level this out because I've had so much sugar. Still not going up." Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. He completed the race with a time of around four hours, saying "That was tough" upon crossing the finish line. The video garnered over 46,000 views less than 24 hours. Callum has previously posted on social media saying "Doing any type of long distance running when you have type one diabetes can be pretty annoying due to the amount of extra stuff you have to bring. The main things to bring with you are a ton of emergency sugar and to make sure you're carrying your insulin pen with you." On his post from the Edinburgh Marathon on Sunday, he posted with the caption: "Edinburgh Marathon 2025 with my blood sugar levels throughout. "I met a lot of other people with type one diabetes as well as a lot of people raising money for it which is always amazing to see. "It really was a four season kind of day from beautiful sunshine to really heavy winds to rain and hailstones at one point which were absolutely awful. Still good, still happy. I ran a marathon with type one diabetes."
Edinburgh Live
15-05-2025
- Health
- Edinburgh Live
Experts reveal the five foods to avoid to reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Millions of Brits are currently living with diabetes, with type 2 being the most prevalent form of the condition. Experts have highlighted that there are ways to lower your risk of developing diabetes, with weight loss and diet playing crucial roles. But what food should we be consuming? Those aiming to reduce their risk of developing diabetes should limit their intake of high fat meat such as fatty cuts of pork, beef, lamb, and poultry skin. Consuming more red and processed meats like bacon, ham, and sausages is linked with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, according to Diabetes UK. They also have connections to heart issues and certain types of cancer. Instead, you should aim to get your protein from healthier sources such as eggs, pulses, chicken and turkey, and fish. Oily fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines contain omega-3 fatty acids which work to enhance circulation, lower blood pressure, and prevent blood clots. Those with type 2 diabetes should also cut down on sweet treats like sweets, ice cream, and desserts. These foods are high in calories, can elevate blood sugar levels, and are detrimental for your cholesterol levels and heart. If you fancy a snack, you should choose healthier alternatives like unsalted nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables, and unsweetened yoghurts. Remember to monitor your alcohol intake closely, as overindulgence can lead to a heightened chance of developing type 2 diabetes. Alcohol has a high calorie content, posing challenges for weight loss if consumed excessively. Current advice suggests that you should not regularly knock back more than 14 units per week, and these should be spread out across various days; binge drinking is particularly risky as it ups the likelihood of other health issues. Watch out for fizzy pop too, as this also carries a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. "Cutting down on these can help to reduce your risk and support keeping your weight down. If you are finding it hard to cut down, look out for diet or low calorie versions of soft drinks and check there's no added sugar," according to Diabetes UK. But don't swap sugary beverages for fruit juices or smoothies, as these still pack a hefty punch of free sugar. Your best bet would be to stick with water, milk, tea, or coffee, just hold the extra sweetness. Steering clear of refined carbohydrates like white bread, white rice, and sugary breakfast cereals is a smart move. On the other hand, wholegrains such as brown rice and whole wheat pasta can slash the danger of diabetes, so they're excellent additions to your meals. Picking foods rich in fibre is another important consideration, since a high-fibre grub plan can cut down risks associated with obesity, heart disease, and certain types of cancer. Diabetes UK offers some advice: "When you're out shopping remember to check food labels to see if a food is high fibre. Compare different foods to find the ones with the most fibre in them."
The Guardian
13-05-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Almost a third of deaths from heart disease in England occur in diabetes patients, report finds
Almost a third of deaths from cardiovascular disease in England occur in people with diabetes, according to analysis by a leading charity. A report by Diabetes UK has found that 29% of deaths from the disease in England occurred in people with diabetes, out of a total of 144,590 deaths in 2022, according to analysis of the National Diabetes Audit. This figure has risen dramatically in recent decades. In 2009 only 15% of deaths from cardiovascular disease occurred in people with diabetes, out of a total of 147,820 deaths. The report also found the UK spends £10.7bn on diabetes care each year, with the figure set to rise to £18bn by 2035, while just 61.3% of people received all of the recommended care processes for people living with diabetes in 2023-24. More than a third of these missed at least one of these checks. An estimated 5.8 million people across the UK are living with diabetes, and about 90% of these cases are type 2 diabetes. The report called for the government's upcoming 10-year health plan to confirm the target of reducing death and disability from cardiovascular disease by a quarter, and that clear metrics should be outlined on how this target will be reached. Colette Marshall, the chief executive of Diabetes UK, said: 'Diabetes shouldn't be a gateway to ill health but, right now, this is the devastating reality facing millions of people living with the condition. Diabetes leads to 812 strokes, 568 heart attacks and 2,909 cases of heart failure each week in England alone. But this can and must change. 'The government has already laid out its aims for the 10-year health plan, which is focused on switching the dial from sickness to the prevention of ill health. If they are to succeed in this aim, diabetes must be an integral part of their plans. 'We already have the tools and knowledge to successfully make this shift. Now we need the political will to fully deliver it. The government must act now, so no life is cut short by diabetes.' Kamlesh Khunti, a professor of primary care diabetes and vascular medicine at the University of Leicester, said: 'The findings of this report underscore the critical importance of cardiovascular health management in individuals with diabetes. We now have ample evidence that if we do the simple things well – like controlling blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose – we can significantly reduce complications and improve both the quality and length of life for people with diabetes. 'However, this report shows that one in three people do not receive the simple care processes that every person with diabetes should receive. This is just not good enough with the evidence that we have. We also now have specific therapies that prevent cardiovascular diseases and kidney disease in people with type 2 diabetes.' NHS England have been approached for comment.
