Diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose in the blood. Glucose (a form of sugar) is the main source of fuel for our bodies. It comes from food containing carbohydrate such as vegetables like potatoes and corn and cereal foods such as bread, pasta, and rice. Fruit, milk, and legumes also contain carbohydrates.
Insulin, produced in the pancreas, is the hormone that moves glucose from the blood into the body’s cells. In diabetes, the pancreas either cannot make insulin or the insulin that it does make is not enough and does not work properly.
There are two main types of diabetes:
type 1
This type of diabetes usually affects children and young adults. It is affecting 10 – 15% of all people with diabetes. It used to be called insulin dependent diabetes or juvenile onset diabetes.
In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas stops producing insulin because the cells, which make it, have been destroyed by the body’s own immune system. Insulin therefore must be replaced so people with type 1 diabetes require insulin injections every day to control their blood glucose levels.
We do not yet know what causes type 1 diabetes but it has a strong family link. It may also occur when something like a viral infection causes the immune system to destroy the insulin making cells in the pancreas.
type 2
This type of diabetes used to be called non-insulin dependent diabetes or mature onset diabetes. It is the most common form of diabetes affecting 85 – 90% of all people with diabetes. While it usually affects mature adults, more and more younger people and children are developing type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is predominently a lifestyle disease and has a strong link with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and extra weight carried around the waist eg the “apple shape” body.
Being overweight makes insulin less efficient at controlling blood glucose levels. This is often referred to as “insulin resistance”.
Type 2 diabetes often responds well to a healthy eating plan, appropriate exercise and weight loss program. However, it is important to realise that when tablets and/or insulin are needed to keep blood glucose levels controlled, this is just the natural progression of the disease. It is important to take tablets/insulin when recommended by a doctor so that the complications of diabetes are reduced.
What are the risk factors for developing type 2?
If you tick one or more of the boxes below you are at risk of type 2 diabetes:
I am over 55 years of age
I am over 45 years of age AND am overweight
I am over 45 years of age AND I have an immediate family member with type 2 diabetes
I am over 45 years of age AND I have high blood pressure
I am over 35 years AND I am from an Aboriginal, Torres Straight Island, Pacific Island, Indian subcontinent,
or Chinese cultural background
I have heart disease or have had a heart attack
I had diabetes when I was pregnant (gestational diabetes)
I have impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG)
I have polycystic ovary syndrome AND I am overweight
What are the key symptoms of diabetes?
In type 1 diabetes, the symptoms usually come on suddenly and therefore it is diagnosed quickly. In type 2 diabetes, many people have symptoms which they see as part of getting older. Sometimes, by the time diabetes is diagnosed, the blood glucose level may be quite high.
Common symptoms include:
| Increased thirst |
Slow healing of cuts |
| Passing more urine |
Unexplained weight loss (type 1) |
| Feeling tired and lethargic |
Headaches |
| Always feeling hungry |
Mood swings |
| Itching, skin infections |
|
| Increasing weight (type 2) |
|
| Blurred vision |
|
How is diabetes managed?
Whether it is type1 or type 2 diabetes, the main aim is keep blood glucose levels as close as possible to the non-diabetic range. In addition, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, with regular physical activity and health checks with various members of the diabetes team is recommended.
What are the aims of treatment?
To keep blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible (4-6 mmol/L before meals and up to 8.0 mmol/L after meals). This will help prevent the short-term effects of high and low blood glucose levels and the long-term complications. Long term complications can affect the eyes, kidneys, and nerves.
Keeping blood pressure and cholesterol levels within the recommended ranges also helps prevent problems such as heart attack and stroke.
For more information phone 1300 136 588
Print page 
Change font size