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| DIABETES |
| Workers
who present at our clinics will be offered a diabetes test.
It will be carried out by appointment on Thursdays and Fridays
each week. |
The
test requires that the worker come to work fasting from the
night before - but don't panic, we only intend carrying out
these tests where there is a decent canteen available. And
after the test we'll buy you your breakfast. |
In
Ireland, it is estimated that there are 200,000 people with
diabetes and a further 200,000 who have diabetes but are unaware
that they have the condition. The majority of these people
will only be diagnosed through an acute medical event of the
complications of long term untreated hyperglyceamia. A further
250,000 people have impaired glucose tolerance or "pre-diabetes"
of which 50% will develop diabetes in the next 5 years if
lifestyle changes are not made. |
There
are two types of diabetes - type 1, or insulin dependent diabetes,
which usually occurs before the age of 35. A person with type
1 diabetes makes no insulin and therefore needs to inject
insulin to regulate blood sugar levels and remain healthy.
Type 2, or non-insulin depdendent diabetes usually occurs
in adults after the age of 40 and is extremely common in old
age. In this case, the person with diabetes makes some insulin,
but this does not function properly. Usually associated with
being overweight, this condition responds well to weight loss
through dietary regulation. Sometimes weight loss is not enough
and tablets are required to help the person's own insulin
to work. This type of diabetes is also known as adult-onset
or maturity-onset diabetes. |
With
an average of seven years between onset and diagnosis, the
earlier the condition is detected the easier it will be to
manage. Early detection gives the ability to protect against
heart attack.
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