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.
๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป: 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.
๐๐ฆ๐๐ 1: Currently type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented.
๐๐ฆ๐๐ 2: Evidence shows type 2 diabetes can be prevented in up to ๐ฑ๐ด ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ป๐ of cases by: โข Maintaining a healthy weight; โข Regular physical activity; โข Making healthy food choices; โข Managing blood pressure; โข Managing cholesterol levels; โข Not smoking;
๐ฆ๐๐บ๐ฝ๐๐ผ๐บ๐: โข Being more thirsty than usual; โข Passing more urine; โข Feeling tired and lethargic; โข Always feeling hungry; โข Having cuts that heal slowly; โข Itching, skin infections; โข Blurred vision; โข Unexplained weight loss (type 1); โข Gradually putting on weight (type 2); โข Mood swings; โข Headaches; โข Feeling dizzy; โข Leg cramps;
For diabetes education sessions within your workplace or community networks, please contact [email protected] or call 0456 387 569.
โHeart disease is Australiaโs leading single cause of death, with 18,590 deaths attributed to heart disease within Australia in 2017. Heart disease kills one Australian every 28 minutesโ โ
Australian Bureau of Statistics 2018
Heart Research Month raises awareness of the impact heart disease has on families, friends and communities. Heart Research Australia supports life-saving heart research in order to find new ways of preventing, diagnosing and treating heart disease.
What is heart disease?
According to Heart Research Australia, heart disease is an umbrella term for a range of conditions that affect your heart which may include:
Coronary Heart Disease;
Heart Attack;
Heart Failure;
Stroke;
Arrythmias (abnormal heart beats);
Aneurysm (a bulge, caused by weakening of the heart muscle or artery);
Septal Defect (an abnormal opening between the left and right sides of the heart);
Peripheral Vascular Disease;
Congenital Heart Disease (malformations in the heart or blood vessels that occur before birth);
What are the risk factors of heart disease?
Smoking;
Stress;
Anger;
Depression;
High cholesterol;
High blood pressure;
Being inactive;
Diabetes;
Being overweight;
An unhealthy diet;
Increase in age;
Being male;
Ethnic background;
Family history;
How can you prevent your chances of heart disease?
โPrevention is the best medicine. 8 in 10 cases of premature heart disease & stroke are preventable through healthy lifestyle factorsโ โ Cardiologist, Dr Edward Barin.
Exercise (aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day);
Eat well;
Keep track of your health measurements โ including cholesterol levels, blood pressure, weight, sugar levels, waist circumference and exercise capacity);
Stay optimistic โ many studies show a state of mind can protect, as well as damage heart health;
If you are concerned about your heart health, visit your GP or book an appointment with Geelong Medical and Health Group โ https://www.geelongmedicalgroup.com.au/
