Diabetes is a condition where there is too much sugar in the form of glucose present in the bloodstream. Your body obtains its glucose from a wide variety of foods containing carbohydrate (these are food types that contain starch or sugar), this glucose travels through your blood to your muscles and your brain where it is used by your body as fuel. Your pancreas produces insulin which your body uses to control the amount of glucose in the bloodstream. Insulin is needed by your body to allow glucose to enter the muscle where it is used as fuel.
There are nearly one million Australians over the age of 25 with diabetes . . . approximately 7.5% of the Australian population. In the last 20 years the number of Australian adults with diabetes has trebled. For every known case of diabetes there is one undiagnosed. Nearly 1 in 4 Australian adults has either diabetes or impaired glucose metabolism. This condition is associated with substantial increased risk of future diabetes and heart disease.
Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational Diabetes. There is also a related condition known as impaired glucose tolerance. |
An
important message for people who are at risk
of Type 2
diabetes . . . An
important message for people who have
Type 2
diabetes . . . |
Where does your body obtain its glucose? Your body obtains glucose comes from foods that contain carbohydrate. Carbohydrate is another name for starch and sugar. What types of foods contain starch or sugar?
What types of foods contain sugar?
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People with a specific genetic risk are most often at risk from Diabetes. It is thought an environmental trigger, such as a 'flu virus, is the cause of Diabetes in many people.The immune system starts destroying your bodies beta cells (the cells that produce Insulin). Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, an organ that lies close to the stomach. Insulin is a hormone produced in the Pancreas and is needed to transport your body's glucose to the cells that manufacture your body's energy. Blood glucose levels rise without insulin and the following symptoms will occur . . .
How common is it? Type 1 diabetes can occur at any age but is mainly found in children, adolescents and young adults.. Type 1 diabetes accounts for 10-15% of all people with diabetes. How is it treated? Medical support from a diabetes team, consisting of a specialist physician, dietitian, GP, diabetes educator, ophthalmologist and a podiatrist as well as lifelong daily insulin injections and a healthy lifestyle is the recommended treatment. |
 Type
2 diabetes is thought of as a lifestyle disease and is often associated
with poor nutrition, excessive weight (particularly around the abdomen)
and inactivity.Type 2 diabetes is a disease of insulin resistance and is a progressive condition. The management of your body's blood glucose will change, over time, and can range from diet and exercise to oral medications, and possibly insulin injections. Type 2 diabetes normally will develop slowly over a period of many years. Quite often symptoms are not apparent or may simply go unnoticed until blood glucose reaches a high level. Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes are insidious and often not detected . . .
Type 2 diabetes is also associated with the Metabolic Syndrome. The Metabolic Syndrome is a combination of high blood pressure, high cholesterol or triglycerides, as well as raised blood glucose levels. How common is it? Type 2 diabetes mostly occurs in adults over 45 years and is the most common form of diabetes, with 85-90% of people diagnosed having Type 2 diabetes. People who have a history of diabetes in their immediate family are most at risk of Type 2 diabetes. Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are most at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. People from certain ethnic backgrounds also face a significantly greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. How is it treated? A combination of regular physical activity combined with a healthy diet, as diabetes progresses, oral medications and then insulin may be necessary. |
 Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. Around the 24th - 28th week of pregnancy approximately 3 - 8% of pregnant women will develop gestational diabetes, in most cases this will disappear after the birth. Although gestational diabetes brings with it an Increased risk of pregnancy complications, when the diabetes is well controlled these risks are considerably reduced. Also present is a significant increase in a woman's long term risks of developing Type 2 diabetes later in her life. |
Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is a condition that occurs when your blood glucose level is higher than it should normally be, but is not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Testing for IGT Often there are no symptoms associated with IGT. Diagnosis of IGT can only be made after an Oral Glucose Tolerance test (OGTT) This involves having your blood tested when fasting and then two hours after consuming a concentrated glucose drink. Associated Risks
 People
at RiskPhysically inactive and overweight people. People who carry excess weight around the waistline are most at risk. Similar to Type 2 diabetes, IGT is a result of insulin not working effectively. Also known as insulin resistance. |
Hypoglycaemia or low blood glucose can occur in people with diabetes using insulin, sulfonyureas or repaglinide. People using these medications must be aware of hypoglycaemia, the symptoms and signs of hypoglycaemia and the importance of not delaying treatment. If someone you know is suffering
frequent hypos or have questions about hypos, refer them to the nearest
diabetes education service or to their family doctor. |
Further detailed information on Diabetes can be found at the following organisations:
International Diabetes Institute 250 Kooyong Road, Caulfield 3162 Phone: 03 9258 5030 www.diabetes.com.au
Diabetes Australia-NSW 26 Arundel Street Glebe, NSW 2037 Ph: 02 9552 9900 www.diabetesnsw.com.au
