In recent years there has been a sharp rise in figures of type 2 diabetes among young adults and teenagers, especially those of a South Asian background. Previously called adult-onset because precisely as it implies, it used to be only commonly diagnosed among adults over the age of 30, the figures for type 2 diabetes have risen so much so that some medical experts are calling it an ‘epidemic’.
Researchers think these rising figures are for the most part due to obesity and unhealthy lifestyles amongst the young. This particularly applies to the lifestyle that some students lead at university, as it is much easier to get another take away rather than cook and getting some exercise can be the last thing on anyone’s mind when there’s an essay deadline to think about. Professor Alan Maryon-Davies says that being in the, ‘early stages’, of obesity can easily, ‘creep up’, on someone and,‘people do not realise how closely linked it is with serious conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes’. A quarter of the adults in the U.K are now obese, and according to an NHS report on obesity in England, Yorkshire is one of the regions where the statistics are higher than the national average.
However although smoking, drinking, a genetic history of the condition and an unhealthy lifestyle is thought to effect type 2 diabetes, researchers do still not fully understand the reason for this dramatic change in figures. ‘Diabetes (types 1 and 2) is thought to be due to genetic and environmental factors, not all of which have been identified’, states a paper written by the University of Iowa health and science department in 2000.
Some of the symptoms of diabetes include thirst, weight loss (even though the same amount of food is being eaten) and a lack of energy, but it can also show no symptoms and be present for years without the person realising or being diagnosed. Dr Sarah Frankton of the Royal London hospital states ‘the symptoms may not be very obvious- you might feel slightly more tired than usual or slightly more thirsty’.
Type 2 diabetes is caused by the body not being able to produce enough insulin which makes the it unable to use the glucose in the blood stream. Around 95% of people with diabetes have the type 2 variety, making by far the most common, and the most likely type for young people to be diagnosed with. This being the case it is vital for not only students and young people but everyone, to be more aware of the condition and its symptoms and most probable causes.
Contentious Cures
With these increasing numbers of young diabetics, the ever-tempting so called “miracle” cures for this condition appeal grows as well. Many are obviously false hopes but their appeal is still strong for many who suffer from diabetes and their influence and followers are often closer than we like to think. During a seemingly innocent taxi drive in Leeds, a York second year history and politics student was suddenly informed by the driver that he in fact knew the cure and was even kind enough to write it down. “It was so bizzare, he seemed so adamant and when we weren’t convinced he wrote it down to prove it to us.”
One of these leading theorists on these new age cures, is Rick Simpson. He pushes forward the idea of that canabis oil contains the greatest healing power of any plant in the world. It would have saved many by now if it was not being a used as a political and religious tool by those whose interests are vested elsewhere. Those who have impeded the progress of this cure are usually labelled as the pharmaceutical companies and then their political puppets enforce their demands upon society. Rick is Canadian born but is currently unable to return to his country due to a police raid on his home and feels he would be imprisoned without hope of bail or “medicine”. From this, he fears that the withdrawal would kill him and the death would be classified under natural clauses.
Another self-entitled expert is Jim Humble. He claims that the cure for all ills, including diabetes, is his own MMS, Miracle Mineral Supplement. This is not a drug. However, what MMS is or does is far harder to discover. Unless you are willing to pay $21.95 for his book. A very reasonable price to save the world. Jim claims that he successfully treated hundreds of people in non-US countries. Unfortunately he doesn’t have the before and after scientific papers but has looked at them and saw they were better.