Obesity-induced diabetes in the U.K. behind more than 160 amputations per WEEK; most die within 5 years
10/20/2017 // JD Heyes // Views

The obesity-related diabetes disaster continues unabated in the United Kingdom, triggering a rash of amputations that may be causing premature death in 80 percent of patients.

As reported by the U.K.’s Daily Mail, the obesity epidemic is feeding into a record-high 160 amputations per week, according to the most recent health figures, which adds up to more than 8,500 procedures throughout England each year. That works out to be something like 23 amputations per day.

In most cases — nine out of 10 — patients have Type 2 diabetes, which is mostly caused by obesity, which can be a result of inactivity and too little exercise.

The organization Diabetes U.K. is warning that out-of-control obesity rates are most definitely causing the elevated number of amputations, as two out of three adults in the country are considered obese.

And there’s this: The organization also said that the amputations are life-threatening in that eight out of 10 diabetic amputees die within five years of having their surgery.

The real kicker, says Diabetes U.K., a charitable group, is that four-out-of-five surgeries are completely preventable.

That said, there is a lack of understanding and knowledge about the severity of obesity and the diabetic conditions being overweight exacerbates. The organization noted that more than one-third of Brits, for instance, don’t know that foot ulcers are a major complication of diabetes and are the biggest causes of amputations.

Also, as in the United States, obesity-and-diabetes-related care is hugely expensive. In the U.K., £1 in every £140 (a Great British Pound is equal to $1.34) spent by the National Health Service, Britain’s socialized medicine authority, goes to foot care for diabetics. The U.S., by comparison, spent more than $83 billion on in-hospital care of diabetics in 2012. In 2014, care for foot ulcers alone added $9 billion to $13 billion to the nation’s healthcare tab.

Brighteon.TV

In England, Diabetes U.K. is calling for better diabetes foot care and services that are likely to include educating diabetics to the dangers foot ulcers and amputations can create.

“Diabetes-related amputations devastate lives,” said Dan Howarth, head of the organization. “But the quality and availability of services still varies significantly across England.

“We want to see greater commitment from government to improving diabetes foot services, ensuring routine, high-quality care to those who need it, regardless of where they live,” he added.

Howarth is urging all diabetic patients to be very mindful of the potential to develop ulcers, which occur with peripheral neuropathy and atherosclerotic peripheral arterial disease, both common in diabetics. He said if discovered, patients need to seek immediate care because “a matter of hours can make the difference between losing and keeping a limb.”

“While it’s positive that the majority of people are aware that amputation is a complication of diabetes, it’s very worrying that so many don’t know the dangers posed by foot ulcers,” he added. “That’s why it’s essential that people living with diabetes know how to look after their feet and that they check them daily.” (Related: How Hyperbaric Therapy can Help in Diabetic Foot Ulcer.)

Though the U.S. continues to spend billions treating obesity-related disease and illnesses, in 2012 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that diabetic-related amputations had fallen dramatically.

The health agency said that in adults aged 40 and older with diagnosed diabetes, amputations declined 65 percent between 1996 and 2008.

“The drop in rates of nontraumatic lower-limb amputations among U.S. adults with diagnosed diabetes is certainly encouraging, but more work is needed to reduce the disparities among certain populations,” said Nilka Ríos Burrows, an epidemiologist with CDC′s Division of Diabetes Translation and co-author of the study.

“We must continue to increase awareness of the devastating health complications of diabetes.  Diabetes is the leading cause of lower–limb amputations in the United States,” Burrows added.

J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for NaturalNews.com and NewsTarget.com, as well as editor of The National Sentinel.

Sources include:

CDC.gov

DailyMail.co.uk

NaturalNews.com



Take Action:
Support Natural News by linking to this article from your website.
Permalink to this article:
Copy
Embed article link:
Copy
Reprinting this article:
Non-commercial use is permitted with credit to NaturalNews.com (including a clickable link).
Please contact us for more information.
Free Email Alerts
Get independent news alerts on natural cures, food lab tests, cannabis medicine, science, robotics, drones, privacy and more.
App Store
Android App
eTrust Pro Certified

This site is part of the Natural News Network © 2022 All Rights Reserved. Privacy | Terms All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing International, LTD. is not responsible for content written by contributing authors. The information on this site is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice of any kind. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. Your use of this website indicates your agreement to these terms and those published here. All trademarks, registered trademarks and servicemarks mentioned on this site are the property of their respective owners.

This site uses cookies
Natural News uses cookies to improve your experience on our site. By using this site, you agree to our privacy policy.
Learn More
Close
Get 100% real, uncensored news delivered straight to your inbox
You can unsubscribe at any time. Your email privacy is completely protected.