Diabetes Awareness Week 2008 - Coming Soon
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07 July 2008
Low GI diet reduces cancer risk
 
A new Italian study says a low Glycemic Index diet may reduce the risk of developing cancer.
 
02 July 2008
Medicare item looks to prevention
 
The Federal Government has introduced a new Medicare item aimed at identifying people at high risk of type 2 diabetes and stopping the disease before it is diagnosed.
 
03 July 2008
Diabetes link for men whose sisters have PCOS
 
Men whose sisters have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) are at higher risk of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
 
26 June 2008
People with type 1 satisfied with newer insulins
 
People with type 1 diabetes who take the newer insulin analogues report greater satisfaction and better quality of life.
 

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a problem where there is too much glucose (sugar) in the blood.
Glucose comes from the food we eat and is needed by the body for energy.
Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose get into the cells to make energy.

In diabetes, the body does not make enough insulin or the insulin is not doing its job properly. Some people have what is called 'insulin resistance' which means the body has to make more insulin to do the same job.

This will cause high blood glucose levels. If not controlled this can lead to health problems.

What Type am I?
There are two main types of diabetes. Type 2 is more common in people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.

TYPE 1

TYPE 2

No insulin made by the body

Pancreas does not make enough insulin or insulin does not work properly.

Must always have insulin injections. Healthy eating and regular physical activity are important as well.

Treatment is healthy eating, physical activity, medications and sometimes insulin. This changes the longer you have diabetes.

Usually occurs in young people

Usually occurs in adults, but becoming more common in younger people


What happens if diabetes is not treated?
High blood glucose levels can damage the body. This can cause:
• heart attacks and stroke
• losing limbs (amputation)
• blindness or vision impairment
• kidney failure
People can have fewer problems if they have regular health checks for their diabetes.

Be aware and take care of diabetes: it’s in your hands!

 

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Health and Educations Events
Ways to improve management
Managing Diabetic Foot Disease Together: Diabetic Foot Symposium
Foot Management Seminar
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