Diabetes
Diabetes is the fastest-growing chronic condition in Australia, with one Australian developing the disease every five minutes. It’s a serious condition that affects the body in many ways. Without correct management, diabetes can lead to serious health complications.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes (diabetes mellitus) is a condition that causes high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood because the body can’t process it effectively.
Glucose and insulin
Glucose, which comes from the food we eat, is a key source of energy for the body. During digestion, glucose is converted into energy with the help of a hormone called insulin, which is produced by the pancreas (a gland located behind the stomach).
When you eat, your body releases insulin to help move glucose from the bloodstream into your cells for energy. As blood glucose levels drop, insulin production also decreases.
For someone with diabetes, this process doesn’t work properly. They may produce too little insulin, none at all, or their body may not respond to it effectively. This results in high blood sugar levels, a condition known as hyperglycaemia.
Types of diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. It accounts for around 10% of all diabetes cases. Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented and currently has no cure. Management requires daily insulin injections or the use of an insulin pump to regulate blood glucose levels.
Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition that usually occurs later in life. The pancreas still produces insulin, but the body becomes resistant to its normal effects. Eventually, the pancreas is not able to produce enough insulin. Insulin resistance or not enough insulin causes blood sugar levels to remain high. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 85-90% of all cases.
Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that can occur during pregnancy as a result of hormonal changes. The condition usually disappears once the baby is born. However, women who develop gestational diabetes are at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes later on.
What causes type 2 diabetes?
There is no single cause of type 2 diabetes. Instead, there are several risk factors - some you can prevent, and some you can’t.
Risk factors you can’t prevent⁴:
Family history of diabetes
Age - the risk increases as you get older
Ethnicity - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Pacific Islanders, and people from the Indian subcontinent, or Chinese cultural backgrounds, have a higher risk⁵
Being a woman who:
Gave birth to a child over 4.5kg
Had gestational diabetes
Has Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Risk factors you can change:
Weight - the risk increases if you are overweight
Inactivity - the less active you are, the higher the risk
Blood pressure - high blood pressure increases your risk
Cholesterol levels - low levels of ‘good’ (HDL) cholesterol increase your risk, while high levels of Triglycerides (fats) also increase your risk
Smoking- the risk increases if you are a smoker. While not all cases of diabetes can be prevented, research shows that type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed in up to 58% of cases by maintaining a healthy weight, following a healthy eating plan, and being physically active.
Signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes
Diabetes has many symptoms. Some people with diabetes notice several symptoms, while others may notice none.
Typical symptoms include:
Excessive thirst
Passing more urine (usually as a result of drinking more)
Tiredness and lethargy
Unexplained hunger
Cuts that are slow to heal
Itchy skin or skin infections
Deteriorating vision
Gradual weight gain
Mood swings
Leg cramps
Complications of type 2 diabetes
Diabetes can lead to long-term complications that can potentially be life-threatening. The longer you’ve had diabetes and the less controlled your blood sugar levels are, the higher the risk of complications.
These may include:
Cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and stroke
Kidney damage and kidney failure
Vision problems and blindness
Nerve damage, which can lead to digestive problems, erectile dysfunction, poor blood flow, and amputation
How to manage your type 2 diabetes
Complications of diabetes are related to how well you control your blood sugar levels. This means that it’s important to manage your diabetes and keep your blood sugar levels as close to your target range as possible.
Your doctor will advise what levels you should aim for. However, Diabetes Australia recommends the following as a general guide:
Positive lifestyle changes
You can manage your diabetes by making changes to a healthier lifestyle.
These include:
Eating a healthy diet, in particular following the Australian Dietary Guidelines
Participating in regular physical activity
Quitting smoking
Monitoring your blood pressure and cholesterol levels
Monitoring your blood glucose levels
In some cases, or as the disease progresses, lifestyle changes may not be enough to keep your blood sugar levels within the recommended range.
This is when you may need to take medication or insulin, as prescribed by your doctor.
Can you still live a normal life with diabetes?
Diabetes is a long-term condition, but with the right care, you can live a long and healthy life. Managing diabetes is important to reduce the risk of diabetes complications and the risk of developing other health conditions linked to diabetes.
Management involves monitoring and controlling blood glucose levels through healthy eating, regular exercise, and in some cases, medication.
It’s important to work with your health practitioner if you have diabetes.
Holistic management
Diabetes is associated with several serious complications, including:
Blindness
Lower limb amputation
Heart disease
Kidney disease
Depression, anxiety and stress
For this reason, it’s important to maintain regular health checks with a multidisciplinary team. Your team includes your GP, diabetes educator, podiatrist, optometrist, endocrinologist, Pharmacist, and others there to support you.
Health checks for people with type 2 diabetes, include:
HbA1c – a blood test that reflects your average blood glucose over the past 10-12 weeks
Blood pressure – checked by your GP or nurse at each visit, or at least every six months
Foot health – to look for changes in blood supply and sensation
Eyes – to check for damage to small vessels that can occur without us realising it
Kidneys – urine and blood tests to check kidney function and health
Blood fats – a blood test determines levels of healthy fats, which help reduce diabetes-related complications
I don't have diabetes. How can I manage my risk?
The first step is to manage your risk factors through lifestyle changes. You can also book a Health Check to get an overall idea of your health and well-being. This includes checking your weight, waist and BMI, blood pressure, cholesterol and random glucose levels.
Book your Health Check
Managing your diabetes is important to reduce the risk of complications. At MediADVICE, we can help you manage it with our Diabetes Medication Review, where one of our Pharmacists will review your medication and discuss the best ways to manage your condition. If you have type 2 diabetes, book your Diabetes Medication Review at your nearest MediADVICE today.
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