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On 14 April 2010 I will be setting off from London with a few equally unfit friends on a 300 mile bike ride to Paris.  The main reason for doing this is to raise money for DIRECT - The Diabetes Research Project, part of the Peninsula Medical School Foundation, supporting education and research into diabetes in the South West of England.

 

 

DIABETES THE FACTS

 

- Approximately 2.35 million people in the UK suffer from diabetes and this number is expected to double in the next 10 years. Currently, the number of undiagnosed cases is thought to be around 1 million

 

- More people die from diabetes each year than AIDS and breast cancer combined – it is the 4th main course of death in most developed countries

 

- People with diabetes may need to inject themselves up to 1000 times per year

 

- Eye disease-diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in people under the age of 65

 

- There is a significant increase in the risk of heart disease – the amount of body fat you have affects how sensitive the insulin is in your body. High blood glucose levels increases circulatory problems such as a stroke and heart disease. Physical activity strengthens the heart muscle, improves circulation, bone strength, joints and muscles and also reduces stress levels

 

- Peripheral Vascular complications affect circulation, in particular to the lower limbs. This is the leading cause of amputations within the NHS

 

- High blood sugars can affect other organs like the kidney, with the increased excretion of high levels of sugar. Diabetes is the commonest cause of kidney failure

 

- Neuropathy - there is often a loss of sensation due to nerve damage - particularly in the feet

 

- Diabetes affects the entire body both physically and emotionally and at any age causing different upsets not only to the person diagnosed but also to their families, at school and in the workplace. The bottom line is that Diabetes affects every minute of your everyday decisions.

 

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