Dr Robert Moisey discusses diabetes and the impact it can have on your health
15 January 2020
In this article Spire Elland Endocrinologist Consultant, Dr Robert Moisey discusses how people in the UK are affected by type 2 diabetes in response to sugar awareness week.
The UK is experiencing a significant increase in the number of people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. This is partly due to people living longer but also because more people are overweight or obese. One in three adults are now obese, compared to one in five adults 20 years ago. People who are obese are five times more likely to develop diabetes.
The processed food we eat has more calories and more sugar in them than ever before and as a nation, we are doing less exercise. We need to eat better and exercise more.
Diabetes can cause eye, kidney and nerve damage as well as increase the risk of heart attacks and stroke. It is important to control diabetes to reduce the risk of this damage. Losing weight has a profound, positive impact on diabetes.
The great news is that there are more treatments available for type 2 diabetes than ever before. There are new tablet treatments that can help control diabetes and some can help people lose weight. There are also new injectable treatments that only need injecting once a week that can help control diabetes as well as lose weight.
Having a very low-calorie diet is suitable for many people with diabetes who have been diagnosed with diabetes in the last six years. After 12 weeks it can reverse diabetes and help weight loss for those who are overweight or obese.
At the Spire Elland, Dr Robert Moisey, a specialist in managing diabetes as well as other hormone conditions, can assess you fully and review your diabetes. Along with your GP, he can support you in choosing the best treatment to control your blood sugar levels and help you with losing weight.
