ITV's Dr Hilary Jones warns against symptomless health condition over six million Brits have
Dr Hilary Jones has sounded the alarm over a growing health crisis that could soon overwhelm the NHS. In a recent appearance on ITV's Lorraine, he highlighted that 6.3 million people in the UK are currently living with prediabetes, a largely symptomless condition that poses a serious risk to long-term health.
This hidden condition occurs when blood sugar levels are elevated but not yet high enough for a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Dr Jones warned that, if left unchecked, prediabetes can lead to devastating complications such as heart failure, heart attacks, strokes, sight loss, and kidney failure, Surrey Live reports.
Although prediabetes might not seem alarming at first glance, it is a "serious health condition that increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke." Thankfully, it can be easily detected with a simple blood test from your doctor, offering an opportunity for early intervention before the condition worsens.
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Dr Hilary said: "There are 6.3 million people living with prediabetes. They're not aware of it, they have no symptoms, which is why we need regular checks to screen for it. All the time they're building up a risk - a high risk - of developing full-blown diabetes and a high risk of developing those complications down the line, which include heart failure, heart attacks, strokes, sight loss, (and) kidney failure.
"It's really serious and it's costing 10 percent of the entire NHS budget. In the next 10 years, if we don't stop this, if we don't find those missing millions who've got prediabetes, we're going to be spending about £18 billion on something that could be put back into remission if we can identify it and help people to lose weight and get fit again."
Prediabetes often flies under the radar as it has no noticeable symptoms. However, if you’re already experiencing signs of diabetes, such as increased urination, fatigue, weight loss, thirst, slower healing cuts, or blurred vision, it’s likely you have already progressed to diabetes.
The good news is that prediabetes can be detected early through a simple blood test. And by taking action now, you can lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Simple lifestyle changes, such as adopting a healthier diet and losing weight, can make a huge difference. Studies suggest that shedding just five per cent of your body weight can “significantly reduce” your risk.
To start, focus on eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and yoghurt. At the same time, cutting back on sugary drinks, red and processed meats, refined carbs, and especially French fries, can help lower blood sugar levels. Regular physical activity is also key in managing prediabetes.
According to the latest figures from Diabetes UK, a record 4.6 million people in the UK have been diagnosed with diabetes, up from 4.4 million last year. The charity also estimates that 1.3 million people have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes, while 6.3 million are living with prediabetes.
Diabetes comes in several forms, but type 1 and type 2 are the most prevalent. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body's immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells, meaning no insulin is produced at all.
On the other hand, type 2 diabetes is not autoimmune. It occurs when the body either produces insufficient insulin or the insulin it does produce isn’t functioning properly. This can stem from various factors. While type 1 diabetes affects 8 per cent of those living with diabetes, type 2 is much more common, impacting 90 per cent of people with the condition.
Type 1 diabetes is typically diagnosed at a younger age, with genetics playing a significant role. Type 2, however, is often linked to lifestyle factors and is generally diagnosed in older individuals.
