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04 March 2010
A message from the CEO of Diabetes Australia-NSW on Australian Government Health Reforms
 
The Australian Government yesterday announced major reforms to Australia’s health and hospital system.
 
26 February 2010
Diabetes increases dementia risk in older people
 
British researchers have found that older people with mild cognitive impairment are three times more likely to develop dementia if they have diabetes.
 
09 March 2010
Combined diet and exercise the key to improving insulin resistance
 
Combining diet and exercise rather than diet and exercise alone leads to significantly greater improvements in body fat distribution and insulin resistance, according to the findings of a new study.
 
04 March 2010
Salt intake linked with stroke, heart disease risk
 
A new Italian study suggests that by lowering our salt intake we could substantially reduce the amount of deaths from heart disease and stroke worldwide.
 

What is diabetes?

For Indigenous AustraliansDiabetes 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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