Nearly 200 type 2 diabetes patients lose their eyesight or limbs every single day
NEARLY 200 type 2 diabetes patients a day are going blind or losing limbs, NHS figures show.
Health chief Simon Stevens today warns the nation’s expanding waistlines are “taking a growing toll”.
One person every three minutes is now diagnosed with type 2.
It is one of the leading causes of blindness, amputation, impotence and heart disease.
Surgeons are carrying out a record 25 amputations daily on type 2 diabetics.
Four out of five will die within five years of having a leg, foot or toe removed.
It develops when the insulin-producing cells in the body are unable to produce enough insulin.
It can also be triggered when the insulin that is produced doesn't work properly.
He said: “The key message is that the majority of these cases are preventable.
“What riles me is that zoo animals get an annual check-up, and we have to take our cars for an MoT.
"But regular checks for people, forget it.”
War on obesity
By Simon Stevens, NHS England Chief Executive
OUR ever-expanding waistlines are taking a growing toll.
Obesity is one of the greatest health challenges of our time. Hundreds of thousands a year get type 2 diabetes.
It is largely preventable. Research shows type 2 can sometimes even be reversed.
The Sun is right to say small lifestyle changes can add up to a big difference.
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