It’s time to be alert to diabetes and any alarm bells!

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic disease involving elevated levels of blood glucose (or blood sugar) which can lead, over time, to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves. It is caused by the body having insufficient insulin, the key hormone that allows your cells to use glucose as energy. There are two types of diabetes:

1. Type 1 Diabetes – once known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, this is where the body produces little or no insulin by itself.
2. Type 2 Diabetes – the most common form of the disease usually developed by adults, this where the body becomes resistant to insulin or does not make enough of it for healthy function.

In recent years, the prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes has risen so dramatically it is now widely regarded as “the epidemic of the 21st century” and one of the major challenges confronting our health system.

Why should I worry about diabetes?

Diabetes is a nasty disease requiring the need for constant management and treatment, including regular insulin doses for survival for sufferers of Type 1 Diabetes. It also greatly reduces the life expectancy of people who suffer from it – according to most estimates by an average of around 20 years. Nearly 2 million Australians currently have diabetes – over 7% of our total population! That includes 1.3 million known and registered sufferers of Types 1 and 2 Diabetes and an estimated 600,000 people who have undiagnosed Type 2 Diabetes. Over 300 Australians develop diabetes every day – that is one person every five minutes!

Who are the people most at risk?

The people most at risk of developing diabetes are those who:

1. Are overweight or obese
2. Have a poor diet – especially consuming too much sugar, fatty or fried foods and fast food
3. Do not do enough exercise or other physical activity
4. Have a family history of diabetes
5. Are First Nations people or have Asian or Southern European backgrounds
6. Are women with a history of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) or who suffered from gestational diabetes during pregnancy

How do I assess my risk?

To assess your risk of developing diabetes, there are various assessment tools available online including this one from Diabetes Australia, developed by the Baker IDI Heart Diabetes Institute on behalf of the Australian, State and Territory Governments. However, Diabetes Australia and Ochre Health recommend talking to your doctor as the simplest and best way to understand your risk and what to do about it.

If I am at risk, can I avoid developing diabetes?

Yes, you can definitely avoid developing diabetes! Evidence shows Type 2 Diabetes can be prevented in up to 58% of high risk cases. The keys are early risk identification and changes to diet and lifestyle.

What can I do to reduce my risk?

To reduce your risk, Diabetes Australia and Ochre Health recommend:

1. Regular visits to your doctor
2. Maintaining a healthy weight
3. Making healthy food choices as outlined here for adults and here for children
4. Regular physical activity as detailed here

I have diabetes – how do I manage it?

If you suffer from diabetes, your doctor and healthcare team are the key people to help and support you in managing your disease and any other health conditions. Your doctor will use an Annual Cycle of Care – a checklist designed to keep track of your management goals and to ultimately reduce your risk of complications. As part of your daily, weekly, monthly and annual diabetes management, your doctor and healthcare team will guide you through a series of regular checks and reviews, including:

1. Self-monitoring of your glucose levels and how to administer insulin when needed
2. HbA1c – a blood test used to monitor blood glucose control
3. Cholesterol levels
4. Eye checks
5. Foot care
6. Kidney health