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.
 

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body does not make enough insulin or when the insulin that is produced doesn’t do its job properly – this may be referred to as insulin resistance.

Type 2 diabetes:

• Represents 85 to 90 per cent of all cases of diabetes
• Sometimes referred to as mature onset or non-insulin dependent diabetes
• Physical activity, healthy eating and sometimes medications and/or insulin may be needed to keep blood glucose levels (BGLs) in the ideal range
• Lifestyle factors such as unhealthy diet and lack of exercise can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes

Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes. While it usually affects mature adults, more young people, and even children, are being diagnosed.

Diagnosis

Usually in adults over the age of 45 but it is increasingly occurring at a younger age.

Diagnosis is made by either a Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) or Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT), which are ordered by a doctor and conducted by a pathology laboratory.

Symptoms

Sometimes, symptoms go unnoticed as the disease develops gradually. Symptoms may include frequent urination, thirst, blurred vision, skin infections, slow healing, tingling and numbness in the feet.

Sometimes, no symptoms are noticed at all or the individual assumes that the symptoms are part of the normal ageing process.

Management

Regular physical activity, healthy eating and blood glucose monitoring are the cornerstones of diabetes management. Over time, tablets and/or insulin injections may be necessary. Ongoing education is also important in diabetes management.

Risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes

• Being over 45 years of age and having high blood pressure
• Being over 45 years of age and being overweight
• Being over 45 years of age and having one or more members of the family with type 2 diabetes
• Being over 55 years of age
• Having heart disease or having had a heart attack
• Having/had high blood glucose levels during pregnancy (gestational diabetes)
• Having Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG) or Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) also known as Pre-diabetes
• Having Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
• Being over 35 years of age and of Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander, Pacific Islander, Indian or Chinese heritage

Related information

• New to diabetes: what next?
• The diabetes team
• Physical activity
• Healthy eating
• Diabetes prevention

Page last updated: 17 March 2008

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DIAS
Available to NDSS Sub-Agents to assist in providing accurate information about diabetes.
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Risk reduction book
Reduce your risk of diabetes or complications with this helpful book.
Health and Educations Events
Ways to improve management
Managing Diabetic Foot Disease Together: Diabetic Foot Symposium
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