What is diabetes?
When someone has diabetes, their body can’t maintain healthy levelsof glucose in the blood. Glucose is a form of sugar which is the main source of energy for our bodies. Unhealthy levels of glucose in the blood can lead to long term and short term health complications.
Diabetes is a serious complex condition which can affect the entire body. Diabetes requires daily self-care and if complications develop, diabetes can have a significant impact on quality of life and can reduce life expectancy. While there is currently no cure for diabetes, you can live an enjoyable life by learning about the condition and effectively managing it.
There are different types of diabetes; all types are complex and serious. The three main types of diabetes are;
Type 1
The onset of type 1 diabetes usually occurs in people under the age of 30, but it can happen at any age. About 15% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes are type 1. Symptoms are often sudden and can be life- threatening; therefore, it is usually diagnosed quite quickly and managed through Insulin injection replacement.
Type 2
In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas makes some insulin, but does not produce the right amount your body requires, and it does not work effectively. The risk is greatly increased when associated with lifestylefactors such as high blood pressure, being overweight or obese, insufficient physical activity, poor dietand the classic ‘apple shape’ body where extra weight is carried around the waist. Most people have no symptoms at all, while other signs can go unnoticed and by the time symptoms are noticed, complications of diabetes may already be present.
Gestational Diabetes -
Gestational diabetes can cause excessive growth and fat in the baby. If the mother’s blood glucose levels remain raised, the baby may be larger than normal. Following delivery, the baby may experience low blood glucose levels, particularly if the mother’s blood glucose levels were raised before the birth. After the baby is born, the mother’s blood glucose levels usually return to normal. Women are at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes after experiencing gestational diabetes.
Why is diabetes increasing?
All types of diabetes are increasing in prevalence:
Type 1 diabetes accounts for 10% of all diabetes and is increasing
Type 2 diabetes accounts for 85% of all diabetes and is increasing
Gestational diabetes in pregnancy is increasing
Why is diabetes increasing?
All types of diabetes are increasing in prevalence:
Type 1 diabetes accounts for 10% of all diabetes and is increasing
Type 2 diabetes accounts for 85% of all diabetes and is increasing
Gestational diabetes in pregnancy is increasing
Type 2 diabetes is increasing at the fastest rate. There are large numbers of people with silent, undiagnosed type 2 diabetes which may be damaging their bodies. An estimated 2 million Australians are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and are already showing early signs of the condition.
Type 2 diabetes is one of the major consequences of the obesity epidemic. The combination of massive changes to diet and the food supply, combined with massive changes to physical activity with more sedentary work and less activity, means most populations are seeing more type 2 diabetes.
Genes also play a part with higher risk of type 2 diabetes in Chinese, South Asian, Indian, Pacific Islander and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations.
The potential complications are the same for type 1 and type 2 diabetes including heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, limb amputation, depression, anxiety and blindness.
Managing Diabetes
Diabetes is managed by monitoring blood glucose levels, adopting a healthy eating plan and performing regular physical activity.
Early detection and diagnosis, optimal treatment and effective ongoing support and management can reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications.
Look out for common symptoms:
Being more thirsty than usual
Passing more urine
Feeling tired and lethargic
Always feeling hungry
Having cuts that heal slowly
Itching, skin infections
Blurred vision
Unexplained weight loss (type 1)
Gradually putting on weight (type 2)
Mood swings
Headaches
Feeling dizzy
Leg cramps
Discount Drug Stores Risk Assessment and Diabetes management clinics are to help patients calculate their risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes and give practical advice on how to decrease it or help patients with Type 2 Diabetes better manage their condition and reduce risk of complications.
