Every day, almost 300 Australians develop diabetes. However, research shows many Australians believe they have a lower risk of developing Diabetes than they actually do. If you are among the those who have developed Diabetes, our doctors, allied health professionals and diabetes educator are here to support you.
Characterised by high blood glucose levels diabetes is a chronic disorder that occurs when your pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the insulin being made doesn’t work properly.
Different Types of Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is recognised as an autoimmune disease where your immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Because of this, your body can no longer produce enough insulin which allows sugar to enter the cells in the body so it can be used for energy.
The sugar is then stored in the bloodstream which may lead to serious health complications if left untreated.
If you have a family history of the disease, you are at higher risk of developing Type 1 diabetes. Currently, there’s no way to prevent Type 1 diabetes, but proper management may help prevent both short-term and long-term complications.
Type 1 diabetes is managed by:
- monitoring your blood sugar levels multiple times a day
- Daily injections of insulin
- eating a healthy diet
- exercising regularly
Type 2 Diabetes
The most common form of diabetes, type 2 diabetes affects 85% to 90% of all people with diabetes. It occurs when your pancreas fails to produce and distribute insulin effectively. This is known as insulin resistance. As a result, glucose builds up in your bloodstream instead of moving into the cells.
In response, your pancreas releases more insulin to normalize the blood sugar level, but over time, the insulin-producing cells also become impaired and are no longer able to cope with the demand for insulin. Eventually, sugar build up in the blood causes damage to major organs, including the heart, kidneys, eyes, blood vessels, and nerves.
Unlike Type 1 diabetes, up to 60% of Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by maintaining a healthy weight, doing regular exercise, making healthy food choices, managing blood pressure and cholesterol levels and by not smoking.
Type 2 diabetes usually develops in adults over 45, but it is also now being diagnosed in younger people.
If you think you or your family is at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, speak with your doctor about the measures you can take to reduce the risk or delay its onset.
Type 2 diabetes is managed by:
- eating a healthy diet
- exercising regularly
- monitoring your blood glucose levels
- tablets to manage blood glucose levels
- injections of insulin (when the body is no longer producing enough insulin on its own)
Gestational Diabetes
If you are a woman, gestational diabetes can occur during the course of your pregnancy and almost always disappears once your baby is born.
Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy because the same hormones that your placenta produces to help your baby grow also block the action of insulin, known as insulin resistance.
If you already have insulin resistance, then your body may not be able to cope with the extra demand for insulin production resulting in blood glucose levels becoming higher.
Factors that increase the risk of developing gestational diabetes include:
- age (if you are 40 years or over)
- being above the healthy weight range
- are from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds
- elevated blood glucose levels in the past
- previous pregnancies with gestational diabetes
- family history of diabetes
- polycystic ovary syndrome
- gaining weight too quickly in the first half of pregnancy
This medical condition often comes with no symptoms and pregnant women are be screened for gestational diabetes using an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).
Similar to Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes is managed by:
- eating a healthy diet
- exercising regularly
- monitoring your blood glucose levels
- injections of insulin (approximately 10-20% of women will require insulin)
Symptoms of Diabetes
The symptoms and signs of diabetes vary in accordance with how much blood sugar build-up is in your blood. If you have prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes, the symptoms may be so mild that they aren’t noticed. Symptoms tend to come on quickly however if you have type 1 diabetes.
Learn to recognise these warning signs and symptoms of diabetes:
- excessive thirst or hunger
- frequent urination
- unexplained weight loss or gain
- fatigue
- irritability
- blurred vision
- slow-healing wounds
- frequent skin infections
- darkening of skin, usually in the armpits, neck, and body creases
- nausea
- skin infections
- fruity, sweet or acetone smelling breath
- tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
How a GP Can Help
Your GP will coordinate a care team to help in the management of your diabetes. This team may include a diabetes educator, dietitian, optometrist and podiatrist. They will also work with you to tailor a Chronic Disease Management Plan.
As your primary source of diabetic care, your GP will lead your health care team and will ensure members of the team are informed and updated of your progress.
Your GP will provide you with advice on diet, physical activity and medication. They will also teach you how to monitor and normalise your blood sugar levels, replenish your insulin through injections (if necessary) and how to manage your weight.
Stay one step ahead of your diabetes to help avoid complications with proper diabetes management. If you or a member of your family are experiencing some of the diabetes symptoms mentioned above, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Our details
Cnr of Bligh and Broadway Street
Cherbourg QLD 4605
CRAICCHS
Opening Hours
8am – 5pm Monday to Thursday (closed lunch 12:40 – 1:40pm)
8am – 3pm Friday (closed lunch 12:40 – 1:40pm)
Cor of Bligh and Broadway Street, Cherbourg QLD 4605
Kingaroy Clinic
72 Youngman Street, Kingaroy
PO Box 398, Murgon QLD 4605
Opening Hours
Monday – Thursday
8:40am – 4:40pm (closed lunch 12:40 – 1:40pm)
Telephone: (07) 4169 8600
Fax: (07) 4169 5164
Email: customerservice@craicchs.org