What is diabetes?
Diabetes is the name given to a group of diseases marked by high levels of glucose (a form of sugar) in the blood. Insulin helps the body use stored glucose for energy. A patient with diabetes has trouble producing and maintaining insulin.
Diabetes is a chronic condition, meaning that it is often a life-long disease. It can become serious if not controlled and monitored properly.
Different types of diabetes
Approximately 1 million people have diabetes in Australia.
There are several different types of diabetes. The main ones are:
Type 1 diabetes: Approximately 10% of those with diabetes, this occurs when your pancreas produces little or no insulin.
Type 2 diabetes: Approximately 85% of diabetes patients, Type 2 diabetes occurs when people have too much insulin or they cannot use it effectively.
Gestational diabetes: Accounting for 5% of all diabetes cases (amongst other rare types of diabetes), gestational diabetes, occurs only during pregnancy and usually disappears after child-birth.
How do you know if you have diabetes?
Below are some common symptoms of diabetes:
High blood glucose levels:
- Excessive thirst
- Frequent urination
- Dry mouth
- Tiredness, irritability
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Stomach pain
Low blood glucose levels:
- Sweating
- Shaky
- Headaches
- Weakness
- Hunger
- Dizziness
- Nausea
Other symptoms of untreated diabetes:
- Constant hunger (even after eating)
- Unexplained weight loss
- Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
- Slow healing sores
- Frequent infections
- Patches of dark skin in the folds of your neck or armpits
What to do if you do have diabetes:
Contact your health professional to effectively manage and monitor your diabetes with you. This can be done through an increase in physical activity and a healthy eating plan.