Last week was National Diabetes Week.
According to Diabetes Australia (2020), diabetes is when the body does not or insufficiently converts glucose (sugar) from food into energy, resulting in high blood glucose levels.
Glucose is the main source of energy for our bodies. In people with diabetes, the hormone insulin, which assists in the conversion process, is not produced or is produced to insufficient amounts by the body. Therefore, when people with diabetes eat glucose (such as breads, cereals, fruits and starchy vegetables), it cannot or is inadequately converted to energy.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗲𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗼?
• Heart attack;
• Stroke;
• Kidney disease;
• Limb amputation;
• Depression;
• Anxiety;
• Blindness;
(Diabetes Australia, 2020)
𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
According to Diabetes Australia, there are different types of diabetes; the three most common types of diabetes are type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes.
𝑇𝑦𝑝𝑒 1:
Currently type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented.
𝑇𝑦𝑝𝑒 2:
Evidence shows type 2 diabetes can be prevented in up to 𝟱𝟴 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 of cases by:
• Maintaining a healthy weight;
• Regular physical activity;
• Making healthy food choices;
• Managing blood pressure;
• Managing cholesterol levels;
• Not smoking;
𝗦𝘆𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗼𝗺𝘀:
• Being more thirsty than usual;
• Passing more urine;
• Feeling tired and lethargic;
• Always feeling hungry;
• Having cuts that heal slowly;
• Itching, skin infections;
• Blurred vision;
• Unexplained weight loss (type 1);
• Gradually putting on weight (type 2);
• Mood swings;
• Headaches;
• Feeling dizzy;
• Leg cramps;
For diabetes education sessions within your workplace or community networks, please contact [email protected] or call 0456 387 569.