Alison Hammond reveals 'serious' prediabetes diagnosis and begs viewers to stop her buying sweets
Television presenter Alison Hammond has revealed that she is pre-diabetic.
Speaking on This Morning to co-hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, Hammond said on Wednesday: “I found out that I’m actually pre-diabetic so I need your help and I’ve really got to change my ways, and that includes you guys,” gesturing towards the camera.
Hammond, 45, was on the programme to speak about the latest episode of I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here! when she asked the nation to “stop” her if they see her buying chocolate and sweets.
She continued: “If you see me out there, buying any chocolate, sweets, please, I’m begging you, I’m not allowed to have it. I’ve really got to change my ways.”
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Hammond added that her pre-diabetic diagnosis is “serious” and that she is at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Schofield and Willoughby were quick to support Hammond, with Willoughby adding: “We’re right here beside you.”
What is prediabetes?
According to Diabetes UK, “Prediabetes means that your blood sugars are higher than usual, but not high enough for you to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
“It also means that you are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. You may not be experiencing any symptoms with prediabetes.”
If you’re worried you might be pre-diabetic, you can call your GP and arrange a blood test which will tell you if you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
It’s important to note that prediabetes doesn’t have any symptoms, if you are experiencing common symptoms of type 2 diabetes (more information on this below) you may have already developed diabetes.
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What is type 2 diabetes?
In the UK, over 3.8 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes and 90% of these cases are type 2 diabetes. Diabetes UK estimates that there are almost 1 million people unknowingly living with type 2 diabetes in the UK as well.
Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong condition where the insulin your pancreas makes can’t work properly which results in high blood sugar levels. This can put you at risk of hyperglycaemia - where your blood sugar levels are too high - and type 2 diabetes can also cause serious damage to your eyes, heart and feet.
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There are a number of risk factors involved when developing type 2 diabetes. Those of white ethnicity over 40 are more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes as are African-Caribbean, Black African, or South Asian people over 25.
Other factors include having parents with diabetes, high blood pressure and if you are overweight or obese.
What are the signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes?
According to Diabetes UK, the most common symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:
Going to the toilet a lot, especially at night.
Being really thirsty.
Feeling more tired than usual.
Losing weight without trying to.
Genital itching or thrush.
Cuts and wounds take longer to heal.
Blurred vision.
However 60% of people have no signs or symptoms when they are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. If you feel you do have any of the above symptoms, it’s best to make an appointment with your GP.
Can you get rid of type 2 diabetes once you’ve been diagnosed?
While there is no cure for type 2 diabetes, some people can put their diabetes into remission which means a healthy blood sugar level and no longer having to take diabetes medication.
The best way to go into remission is through weight loss. According to Diabetes UK: “If you have obesity, you are more likely to put your diabetes into remission if you lose a substantial amount of weight – 15kg (or 2 stone 5lbs) – as quickly and safely as possible following your diagnosis.”
To find out more about type 2 diabetes, visit diabetes.org.uk
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