HALF the people with Diabetes in Munster are not aware that they have the condition while nationally, the number of patients with Diabetes is continuing to rise and it is now estimated at nearly 226,000.
In advance of World Diabetes Day, Dr James Ryan, Consultant Endocrinologist at Mater Private Cork, will host a FREE Public Information Lecture at the Mater Private Cork Orthopaedic and Spine Centre from 7pm on Monday 11th November.
The event will focus on diet and exercise for Diabetes and it’s open to Diabetes patients, their families or anyone who may be affected by the condition in any way.
Dr James Ryan, who is a specialist in Diabetes diagnosis and treatment at Mater Private Cork, said: “Diabetes represents the number one cause for admission to dialysis and kidney transplant programmes and is the leading cause of blindness in people of working age. It also accounts for a risk of lower limb amputation of 10 to 12 per cent. Ireland’s unparalleled economic success over the past decade has contributed to more sedentary lifestyles, fuelling the level of obesity and as a result, a big increase in the level of Diabetes is being seen nationwide. A big part of the problem is that many people with Diabetes don’t actually know they have the condition which is why education is so important.”
If left untreated, Diabetes can lead to heart disease, strokes, kidney failure, nerve damage, blindness and birth defects in babies born to women with Diabetes.
There is a diabetes crisis in Munster with one of the highest incidences of Type 2 Diabetes in Europe, while there has also been an upsurge in late diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes, which requires insulin at diagnosis.
The knock-on effect has resulted in a huge demand on hospitals in terms of the risk for heart attack and stroke caused by these metabolic diseases.
The International Diabetes Federation Diabetes Atlas (2013) estimates that there are 207,490 people with Diabetes in Ireland in the 20 – 79 age group (prevalence of 6.5% in the population) which is in line with previous estimates that by 2020 there would be 233,000 people with the condition, and by 2030 there would be 278,850 people with the condition.
Dr James Ryan, the Diabetes Nurse Specialist Alison McCaffrey and the team of Dietitians at Mater Private Cork offer a comprehensive range of services to patients living with or newly diagnosed with Diabetes.
“We believe that the key to managing Diabetes is with patient participation, education and empowerment and our services are based on the principal of comprehensive care in one setting, coordinated by one team,” said Dr Ryan.
The Public Lecture on Diabetes will take place at the Orthopaedic and Spine Centre, Mater Private Hospital, Citygate, Mahon, Cork from 7pm to 9pm on Monday 11th November 2019.
For queries please contact the Diabetes Nurse Specialist, Alison McCaffrey, by email on Alison.McCaffrey@materprivate.ie or call 021 6013328.
