Diabetes information evening

Diabetes researcher Ffion Curtis with Ronnie Maher, who has been taking part in a study into Vitamin D deficiency and diabetes.

The Department of Sport and Exercise Science at Aberystwyth University is hosting a Diabetes Information Evening at 7pm on Thursday 21 March 2013.

The evening, which takes place at the Department’s Carwyn James building on the Penglais Campus, is designed to enable local people living in mid Wales to find out more about the care they should expect, the support available and the type of research that is being conducted at the University.

As well as researchers from the Department itself, health experts will be on hand during the evening to answer questions about diabetes.

They include a Consultant Diabetologist from Hywel Dda Health Board, diabetic nurses who deliver the XPERT program, the coordinator of the Exercise for Life programme, Volunteer Development Officer from Diabetes UK, members of the Machynlleth Diabetes UK group and members of a local patient reference group.

Researchers at the Department of Sport and Exercise Science are working closely on health related research with a number of local health providers and voluntary organisations, work which includes a study into a possible link between vitamin D and type 2 diabetes.

The Department also hosts the weekly Retinopathy clinic on behalf of the Hywel Dda Health Board. The clinic forms part of the Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Service for Wales.

More than 160,000 people in Wales have been diagnosed with diabetes which is nearly 5% of the population.

On top of that it’s estimated that there are 66,000 more people that have the condition but have not yet been diagnosed.

In people with diabetes the body cannot make proper use of the glucose in the blood. This means the glucose cannot be used effectively as a fuel, and results in high blood glucose values.

Type 1 diabetes is treated with daily insulin injections. Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for between 85% and 95% of all cases, is treated by medication and/or insulin. The recommended treatment for all diabetes includes a healthy diet and regular physical activity.

The Information Evening is being organised by Ffion Curtis, who is studying the effects of vitamin D deficiency on diabetes. She said: “One of the primary reasons we are seeing an increase in the number of cases of diabetes is because of our changing lifestyles.”

“Our diets have changed and we are much less physically active than we used to be, spending more time sitting in our cars, and in front of computer screens. We are now also seeing an increase in the number of children that are developing type 2 diabetes. If not properly managed and treated, diabetes can lead to many complications including heart disease and strokes.”

“There are however, many small changes we can make to our lives, and the lives of our families that can help reduce the risk of developing diabetes, and help in the management of the condition.”

A warm welcome (with tea and coffee) is extended to all who would like to come along to find out more about diabetes, and research into diabetes.

If you would like to attend or would like some more information about the event, please contact Ffion Curtis by phone on 01970 622070, or by email fic7@aber.ac.uk.

AU9713

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