Have you considered giving a healthy gift this Mother’s Day? A gift voucher for The Ashe Street Clinic is a very thoughtful and generous gift for your family, friends or loved ones.
It can be used for any services we offer in The Ashe Street Clinic. Why don’t you given you mum a healthy gift this mother’s day instead of flowers or an overpriced meal?
A ‘’Medicheck’’ takes one hour and will check for hundreds of different problems including six types of cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, etc. This costs only €195. The same check in Dublin costs €460! See our website www.theashestreetclinic.com for more details or see last month’s newsletter.
You might also consider giving your mum a gift voucher for our ‘’Solas Dermatology and Laser Clinic’’. She could use it for improving her skin (e.g. botox, fillers, chemical peels, laser, facial vein removal, removal of unwanted hair, etc.) Please see www.solasdermatology.ie for more services we can offer.
If you would like to purchase a gift voucher call into our reception or phone 066 712 5611. You can pay by cash, cheque, debit or credit card.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a serious global health issue. Worldwide, cases have doubled between 1980 & 2008.
It could be considered to be the most challenging health problem of the 21st century.
Type II Diabetes is the main driver of the epidemic, accounting for 90% of all cases. Rising levels of obesity, lifestyle factors and an ageing population, are increasing the burden of diabetes.
The International Diabetes Federation suggests that Ireland is in line with global trends in diabetes. A national register has been established to research latest statistics, with regards Type 11 Diabetes in Ireland.
Newly diagnosed diabetics are invited to attend their GP's for 6 monthly visits, to check and monitor bloods and to prevent complications.
Effects of Diabetes
Diabetes places a significant burden on the individual and their family, healthcare professionals and the wider health system.
People with diabetes are 2 to 4 times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease, which can result in damage to blood vessels, heart attacks and stroke, end stage kidney disease which could result in kidney dialysis or transplantation.
Damage to the retina in the eye can lead to blindness and lower limb disease can lead to amputations.
Types of Diabetes
Many people get confused about types of diabetes. There is an assumption that Type 11 diabetics are overweight and on tablets only. In fact, about 20% of people with Type 11 diabetes are thin and are on insulin. Type 1 diabetics are dependent on insulin injections and can manage quite well. Children as young as 3 years of age can be educated to manage their diabetes.
Type 1 and Type 11 Diabetes are both characterised by higher than normal blood sugar levels. Blood sugar levels can be managed through dietary changes, exercise, weight loss and medications.
- Type 1 is usually treated with insulin
- Type 11 is usually treated with oral medication and perhaps insulin
There is also a genetic component and some people are more predisposed to developing diabetes if there is a family history.
Gestational diabetes can occur in pregnancy – this means that the woman has to be extra careful of her diet whilst pregnant and eliminate sugar. However, she must be aware that it could come back later in life.
Older people are also at higher risk of developing Type 11 Diabetes, so monitoring by the GP should hopefully detect this early, should it occur.
Common differences between Type 1 and Type 11 Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes
Often diagnosed in childhood
Not associated with excess body weight
Often associated with higher than normal ketone levels at diagnosis
Treated with insulin injections or insulin pump
Cannot be controlled without taking insulin
Type 11 Diabetes
Usually diagnosed in over 30 year olds
Often associated with excess body weight
Often associated with higher blood pressure and/or cholesterol levels at diagnosis
Is usually treated initially without medication or with tablets
Sometimes possible to come off diabetes medication
Prevention of Diabetes
Sometimes, diabetes can not be prevented. It can develop in a person after an auto-immune illness, probably if they are predisposed or have a strong family history of diabetes.
Diet and Lifestyle
Maintaining a healthy diet without sugar and taking regular exercise can minimise the risk of developing diabetes. Processed foods, foods saturated with fat and fizzy sugar drinks are all tempting foods but they are causing obesity and diabetes. Portion sizes are getting larger and children are eating more convenience food
.
Tips to prevent or delay onset of Diabetes
• Exercise regularly – at least 30 minutes daily
• Avoid processed food, food with high sugar and fat content
• Eat more fruit and vegetables
• Learn to read food labels for sugar and fat content
• Watch portion sizes – scones are now huge!
• Vary foods and don't eat the same thing every day i.e., rice, pasta, potatoes, vegetables
• Learn to cook and look up recipes and avoid jarred sauces and packet soups
• Eat more fibre such as cereals like porridge, shredded wheat and weetabix
• Eat brown bread – avoid white bread such as French sticks and white sliced pan
• Alcohol has a high sugar content particularly white wine
Symptoms of Diabetes
Check with your GP if you have the following:-
• tiredness, fatigue and weakness
• excessive thirst
• excessive urination – up at night etc.
• blurred vision
• persistent infections – skin boils, candida
• weight loss
• excess sweating
• irritability, irrational
• sweet smell off breath
Nurse Catherine Doyle
The Ashe Street Clinic, Tralee