Diabetes is an incurable chronic disease.
Chronic disease simply means a persistent or recurring disease, usually affecting a person for three months or longer. A chronic disease is generally one that is hereditary or one that is the result of factors such as poor diet and living conditions, using tobacco or other harmful substances, or a sedentary lifestyle. Such a disease is not typically contracted from another person by contagion, because most chronic illnesses are not caused by infection. The term chronic disease commonly applies to conditions that can be treated but not necessarily cured.
Diabetes is a disorder in which the body cannot make proper use of carbohydrate in food because the pancreas does not make enough insulin, or the insulin produced is ineffective, or a combination of both.
Glucose comes from the digestion of carbohydrates in food. Insulin is the hormone responsible for helping glucose move into the body’s cells where it is used for energy. Glucose is also stored in the liver ready for use, but if carbohydrate is overeaten then it is stored as fat. When insulin is not present or is ineffective, glucose builds up in the blood. Higher levels of glucose in the blood may lead to health problems such as diabetes.
If diabetes is undiagnosed (which can occur in type 2 diabetes) or diabetes is not correctly managed, it can cause heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, amputation and erectile dysfunction.
Diabetes is Australia’s fastest growing chronic disease, with approximately 275 people across the nation developing the condition every day.
In Tasmania alone, there are more than 25,000 people now diagnosed with diabetes and for every person diagnosed it is estimated that there is another person who has the disease but is not diagnosed.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes?
- Thirst
- Frequent urination
- Lethargy or being very tired
- Blurred vision
- Sudden unexplained/unplanned weight loss: type 1 diabetes
- Possible weight gain: type 2 diabetes
- Infections or wounds that don't improve
- Constant hunger
- Mood swings
Often in type 2 diabetes signs and symptoms may not be present.
How is Diabetes Managed?
Depending on the type of diabetes, management includes:
- Insulin replacement: type 1 diabetes
- Progression to medication – tablets and/or insulin: type 2 diabetes
- Regular physical activity
- Healthy eating – low in fat (particularly saturated fat), high fibre, including some low GI
- Maintaining a 'healthy waist' (reducing fat around your abdomen)
- Regular health checks with your diabetes team
- Applying stress management techniques
- Monitor your blood glucose levels
- Education – finding out what you need to know to take responsibility for your health
What Are the Aims of Treatment?
In a nutshell, the aim of diabetes treatment is to help you feel well, be healthy and enjoy life.
Medically, diabetes treatment aims to keep blood glucose levels as near normal as possible - target ranges need to be discussed with your diabetes team as to what is suitable for you. Together with control of cholesterol (blood fat) and blood pressure, this will help prevent the long-term complications which can affect the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and circulation.
