The number of people diagnosed with diabetes is growing faster than ever as new figures show there are 10 cases diagnosed in Northern Ireland every single day — double that of the previous year.

Diabetes UK Northern Ireland is urging the Health Minister Michael McGimpsey and his department to put diabetes at the top of the health agenda this year amid dire warnings of an explosion of new cases in coming years.

The charity’s report, Diabetes in the UK: Key Statistics, found that there were 10 new cases diagnosed in Northern Ireland every day between February 2007 and February 2008, the latest figures available. There were five cases per day the year before.

Nationally, the report found that there were almost 150,000 people diagnosed with diabetes in the year up to February 2008. This marks a jump of 50% on the year before when there were 100,000 cases.

Iain Foster, director of Diabetes UK Northern Ireland, said:

“We want the Health Minister and the Department of Health to put diabetes at the top of the health agenda in 2009. A clear indicator of this would be the introduction by the Health Minister of a Diabetes Service Framework as Northern Ireland continues to be the only area of the UK without one.”

There are 62,000 people in Northern Ireland diagnosed with diabetes.

It is estimated that some 20,000 more have the condition but do not know it.

How to recognise the symptoms

WHAT IS DIABETES?

Diabetes is a long-term condition caused by too much sugar in the blood. There are two types of the condition — Type 1 and Type 2.

WHAT IS TYPE 1 DIABETES?

Type 1 occurs when the body produces no insulin at all. It is far less common than Type 2. Type 1 sufferers will need to take insulin injections for life.

WHAT IS TYPE 2 DIABETES?

Type 2 diabetes occurs when there is too little insulin produced by the body to work, or when the body does not react properly to insulin. Type 2 patients may be able to control their symptoms by eating a healthy diet and monitoring their blood glucose levels.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS FOR BOTH?

Main symptoms include feeling very thirsty, going to the toilet a lot, extreme tiredness and weight loss and muscle wasting.

WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS TO LOOK OUT FOR?

A loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting and a high temperature, among other things.