Lions club mark World Diabetes Day
CLAREMORRIS & District Lions Club are joining with 44,000 clubs throughout the world to mark World Diabetes Day on Sunday, November 14, with the continuation of their strategy adopting Type 2 diabetes as a signature project.
This is a huge issue with over 225,850 Irish people suffering from diabetes. These numbers are growing at an alarming rate, with 1 in 3 families affected.
There are two main types of diabetes.
Type 1 is where the body is unable to produce any insulin, which has to be treated with medication and cannot be prevented. Most children who have diabetes have Type 1.
Type 2 develops when the body still makes some insulin, or when the insulin that is produced does not work properly.
Diabetes does have certain risk factors or 'signposts' that we can look out for. Some include a family history of diabetes, previous high blood pressure, those over 45, who are overweight and inactive are at risk. Also, you might experience increased thirst, tiredness and passing a lot of urine.
If you experience these potential side affects seek help from your pharmacy, GP, hospital diabetes team or for information visit the Diabetes Ireland website, https://www.diabetes.ie.
President of Claremorris & District Lions Club, James Preston, said: “With National Diabetes Awareness Day falling on Sunday, November 14, our club is encouraging the local community to be aware of the symptoms and side effects of diabetes.
“We have been actively promoting early detection through a far-reaching social media campaign, coverage in local newspapers, distribution of information leaflets through our pharmacies and bookmarks through our local libraries, and we are very grateful for the cooperation and support to all involved in getting this important message delivered.”
See the club's Facebook page where there is a very simple online risk assessment you can take via the Diabetes Ireland website which informs and educates about your risk factors and how to overcome them. See https://www.diabetes.ie/living-with-diabetes/are-you-at-risk-of-type-2-diabetes/.
Mr. Preston added: “It is important to remember that through adopting a healthier lifestyle, Type 2 diabetes can be put into remission, so our advice is to eat healthy, stay active and make positive lifestyle changes that ensure your good health long after the coronavirus has moved on.”
Lions Clubs Ireland, with 102 clubs and 2,300 members in the 32 counties, are organising a variety of projects and events aimed at raising awareness of Type 2 diabetes and promoting healthy lifestyles.