National Diabetes Week

This week marks National Diabetes week, did you know that Diabetes is one of the 8 major chronic diseases Australians live with?  A chronic disease is acknowledged as a long lasting condition with persistent effects and social and economic consequences.

If you are living with diabetes and need help at home please visit Karista to find services in your local area.

Facts About Diabetes

• 280 People develop Diabetes every day - that's one every five minutes
• Around 1.7 million Australians have diabetes which includes all types of diagnosed diabetes and a silent, undiagnosed type 2 diabetes
• For every person diagnosed with diabetes there is usually a carer or family member who also lives with Diabetes

What is Diabetes?

When you have diabetes, your body can't maintain healthy levels of glucose (a form of sugar) in the blood.  For our bodies to work properly we need to convert glucose from food into energy. A hormone called insulin is essential for the conversion of glucose into energy. In people with diabetes, insulin is no longer produced in sufficient amounts. When people with diabetes eat glucose, which is in foods such as breads, cereals, fruit and starchy vegetables, legumes, milk, yoghurt and sweets, it can’t be converted into energy.

Instead of being turned into energy the glucose stays in the blood resulting in high blood glucose levels. After eating, the glucose is carried around your body by your blood; blood glucose level is called glycaemia. Blood glucose levels can be monitored and managed through self care and treatment.

Different Types of Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune condition in which the immune system is activated to destroy the cells in the pancreas which produce insulin.  We don't know why this happens, Type 1 diabetes is not linked to lifestyle factors.  There is no cure and it cannot be prevented.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the body becomes resistant to the normal effects of insulin and or gradually loses the capacity to produce enough insulin in the pancreas.  We do not know what causes Type 2 diabetes but do know that lifestyle, genetics and family are related risk factors.

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes mellitus (sometimes referred to as GDM) is a form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. Most women will no longer have diabetes after the baby is born. 

Gestational diabetes is the fastest growing type of diabetes in Australia, affecting thousands of pregnant women. Between 12% and 14% of pregnant women will develop gestational diabetes  usually occurring around the 24th to 28th week of pregnancy. All pregnant women should be tested for gestational diabetes at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy (except those women who already have diabetes). 

Source: Diabetes Australia and Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

Where can I get help?

If you are concerned that you or someone you care for may develop Diabetes, please see your GP for a check up.

If you're interested in reading more about the three main types of diabetes, a good place to start is Diabetes Australia website, or the Baker Institute 

Karista if you are looking for support and services in your local area.