Identifying Diabetes
There are three major types of Diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes and Gestational diabetes mellitus.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, affecting 85-90% of all people with the disease. This type of diabetes, also known as late-onset diabetes, is characterised by insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency. The disease is strongly genetic in origin but lifestyle factors such as excess weight, inactivity, high blood pressure and poor diet are major risk factors for its development.
Symptoms may not show for many years and, by the time they appear, significant problems may have developed. People with type 2 diabetes are twice as likely to suffer cardiovascular disease. Type 2 diabetes may be treated by dietary changes, exercise and/or tablets. Insulin injections may later be required.
Symptoms usually develop gradually. They are due to high blood glucose levels (hyperglycaemia) and changes in metabolism and include:
- Excessive thirst
- Passing more urine
- Tiredness
- Blurred vision
- Frequent infections (e.g., thrush, cystitis). Blood glucose levels may be raised for a long time before symptoms appear.
- Kidney damage
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Nerve pain or numbness (neuropathy)
- Slow healing wounds (e.g., leg and foot ulcers)
- Erectile dysfunction (male impotence). Early and strict control of blood glucose levels can limit these complications.
Treatment of diabetes aims to do what your body would normally do - maintain a proper balance of insulin and glucose. Living well with diabetes means keeping the level of glucose in the blood as close to normal as possible.
The three elements for controlling diabetes are food, exercise and medicines. In many people with Type 2 diabetes, diet and exercise alone can control blood glucose levels. A doctor or dietitian will be able to suggest a specific lifestyle or exercise plan depending on age, lifestyle and overall health.
In patients where this doesn’t normalise their blood sugar, medicines may be required. There are several different types of diabetes tablets that work in different ways to improve glucose metabolism and lower blood glucose. Some people need to take more than one type of tablet and some people eventually need insulin injections.
Regardless of whether a patient takes medicine or insulin or nothing, a healthy lifestyle and self care can help manage Diabetes.
- Eat regular, healthy meals, including plenty of fruit, vegetables and grain foods. Limit or avoid foods high in fat, sugar or salt.
- Choose food and drink products with no added sugar, or sweetened with a sugar substitute (diet food and drinks). For example some fruit juices are sweetened with sucralose, a sugar substitute that does not add kilojoules (calories).
- Exercise at a moderate level for at least 30 minutes on all or most days of the week.
- Keep to a healthy body weight.
- Limit alcohol and eat carbohydrate foods when drinking.
- Don’t smoke – it contributes to diabetic complications.
- Monitor your blood glucose levels regularly.
- Follow the use and care instructions for your home blood glucose monitor.
- Follow the instructions for your diabetes medicines.
- Have regular checks for blood pressure, cholesterol, eyes and kidneys.
- Take extra care of your feet and have them checked regularly by a doctor or podiatrist.
- Always have some quick-acting carbohydrate (glucose) with you.
- Teach your friends, family and co- workers how to recognise and treat a ‘hypo’.
- Develop a ‘sick day plan’ with your doctor and follow it when unwell.
- Link up with the diabetes team in your area. Diabetic teams include doctors, diabetic educators, dietitians, podiatrists and pharmacists.
- Join Diabetes Australia and the NDSS.
- Wear identification, such as a MedicAlert bracelet, that says you have diabetes.
