Signs and Symptoms

Are you at Risk?

type 1 diabetes

Currently type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented. However, current research is exploring ways to stop the autoimmune reaction that destroys the insulin producing beta cells. We also know that certain features in the environment may trigger type 1 diabetes in some individuals who have a genetic predisposition, and may be responsible for the increase in type 1 diabetes over the past 30 years. Therefore, studies are looking at these other factors which may increase the risk in some people.

type 2 diabetes

Diabetes is a growing epidemic with nearly 25 per cent of the Australian population over 25 years being at risk of or already has diabetes.

More than 60 per cent of the Australian population are overweight or obese. Being overweight is one of the major factors contributing to the increase in type 2 diabetes. It is important for all people to adopt a healthy lifestyle to prevent diabetes. Everyone should also know their risk of type 2 diabetes, as half the people with diabetes don’t know that they have it.

Take the Risk factor test

Symptoms

type 1

The symptoms are often sudden and can be life threatening if not treated and they can include:

• extreme thirst
• frequent urination
• sudden unexplained weight loss
• extreme fatigue
• blurred vision
• muscle cramps
• nausea
• vomiting
• constant hunger

type 2

In type 2 diabetes, many people have no symptoms at all, while other signs can go unnoticed and mistaken as part of “getting older’.

Common symptoms can include:

• increased thirst
• frequent urination
• feeling tired and lethargic
• always feeling hungry
• having cuts that heal slowly
• itching
• skin infections
• blurred vision
• gradually putting on weight
• mood swings
• headaches
• feeling dizzy
• leg cramps.