Campaign for health (From Free Press Series)

Campaign for health

SOARING LEVELS of chronic disease in Torfaen resulted in a new task force dedicated to combating a range of chronic illnesses.

Torfaen Local Health board's Chronic Disease Management Team were launched to lead an assault against poor health.

The team were set up following a successful funding bid to the Welsh Assembly with a remit to develop services for people with chronic illnesses.

Jean Hughson from the local health board said: "As well as improving services it's important that people living with chronic illness, and their carers, have access to information and education to enable them to do everything possible to keep themselves well and prevent further ill health."

The team tackles illnesses like heart disease, asthma, diabetes and lung disease, and are urging people to make changes to prevent the early onset of those conditions. Their advise is to maintain a normal weight, take regular exercise and stop smoking.

The message is that serious illnesses, like diabetes can be managed more effectively with a few healthy lifestyle changes.

Lead Nurse for Primary Care Angela Powell said: "The importance of a healthy lifestyle cannot be over-emphasised. If we can reduce the complications people who have diabetes can live a long and healthy life."

The number of people living with diabetes in the UK is dramatically increasing and Torfaen reflects national statistics.

Roger Saunders, 60, from Cwmbran was diagnosed with diabetes two decades ago and has developed a positive attitude in dealing with the necessary changes he had to make in his life. He has to inject insulin four times a day, but refuses to let the illness control his life.

He said: "Once you understand diabetes it is something you can manage. "I eat fruit and vegetables, exercise reasonably well, and I walk into town every day. If people manage their diabetes they should be able to live a normal life."

Roger also be-lieves that diabetics should not try to hide their illness. He said: "Don't be afraid to let people know that you are a diabetic.

People who know you will notice if something is wrong, for example, if you go a bit vague, and will remind you to eat."

Research has shown that although diabetes is a progressive disease, a healthy lifestyle will slow down the progression in the majority of patients.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DIABETES

Increased thirst

Frequent need to urinate

Tiredness

Weight loss

Feeling unwell

AT RISK

People with a family

history of Diabetes

Aged over 40

Asian or African-Caribbean origin

People who are very overweight and have had a sedentary lifestyle

Women who have had diabetes during a pregnancy

People with high blood pressure and/or heart disease.