Eyes wide open

Over the last week or so I've been reading up as much as I can about diabetes. I thought I understood the basics but I've really had my eyes opened. Hypos aside I never really understood why diabetes was such a bad thing.

The consequences of untreated diabetes are hard core ... cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, blindness and amputation of lower limbs.

I've come to realise that my Pa, who passed away back in the '80's, died of a heart attack brought on by diabetes. I had previously thought that he just happened to be diagosned with the disease at the same time.

Apparently it's very common, more so in men than women as men are generally worse at looking after their health, for your diabetes to be diagnosed when it has already wreaked havoc on your heart and you end up in hospital with a heart attack. That is why it is called the silent killer.

I am one of the lucky ones in that respect.