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Understanding diabetes
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When you consider that an estimated 275 Australians develop diabetes every day, it’s hardy surprising that it’s the fastest growing chronic disease in Australia. But how much do you really know about diabetes?
What is diabetes?
Food is essential to our lives but we need to be able to convert the glucose in our food into energy in order to function. Our bodies require a hormone called insulin to be able to do this. For people with diabetes, this is where the problem lies.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that is often with those diagnosed for life. People with diabetes have unnaturally low levels of insulin, the hormone that is needed to turn glucose into energy. Insulin is produced by the pancreas, a gland behind your stomach and if this isn’t working properly, it might not be producing enough insulin – or any at all.
So when people with diabetes eat foods that have high glucose levels, the glucose that cannot be turned into energy stays in the blood. This is why people with diabetes have a blood glucose level (called glycaemia), and if too high, can be life-threatening.
What are the two main types of diabetes?
Type 1
10-15% of people with diabetes
Typically called juvenile diabetes, Type 1 diabetes is most common in children but can occur at any age. Often Type 1 diabetes is developed suddenly because the pancreas stops making insulin. Without insulin, the body has no energy stores, and it turns to burning fat in order to function. People with Type 1 diabetes must test their blood glucose levels several times a day and self-administer daily injections of insulin to survive.
Type 2
85-90% of people with diabetes
Type 2 diabetes usually occurs in adults but is becoming more and more common in children. People with Type 2 diabetes still produce insulin but not nearly the amount that their bodies need. Early on, Type 2 diabetes can be managed by living a healthier lifestyle. But later on, tablets or insulin injections will be required to manage the disease.
Who is at risk?
Type 1
Type 1 diabetes has no known cause but it is highly linked to genetics. There is no known cure or prevention at this stage.
Type 2
You are at risk of Type 2 diabetes if you:
• Have a family history of diabetes
• Are older than 45 years of age
• Are overweight or carry most of your weight around the middle
• Have high blood pressure
• Are of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander heritage
• Had gestational diabetes when pregnant, or polycystic ovaries
If you are concerned that you may be at risk, your waist circumference is a simple indicator of your overall health.
For men:
Your waist circumference should not exceed 94 cm.
For women:
Your waist circumference should not exceed 80 cm.
Get more information:
For more information, click on the link for your state.
Victoria
