Diabetes Facts

We’ve all heard that diabetes is on the rise in Australia, but do you know enough about it to protect yourself and your family? Here are the facts:

FACT: Diabetes occurs when there is too much sugar in the blood.

After we eat something, our blood sugar rises. A hormone called insulin then helps transport the sugar into our cells to be used for energy. People who have diabetes either do not make enough insulin (Type 1 Diabetes) or their body has become resistant to insulin (Type 2 Diabetes). Without it, sugar is not transported into the cells, so too much remains in the blood.

Type 1 diabetes usually develops in childhood as a genetic condition where the body’s own immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. It can be controlled with insulin injections and cannot be prevented.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common, with an estimated 1.2 million sufferers in this country. It usually develops in adults and is strongly associated with obesity. It can be prevented and treated with diet and exercise.
 

FACT: Too much sugar in you blood can cause serious damage

It may not sound dangerous but, over time, elevated blood sugar levels can damage kidney cells, cause blindness, affect nerve cells resulting in numbness to the hands and feet, and damage blood vessels, leaving you more likely to get heart disease.
 

FACT: Diabetes can occur during pregnancy

Up to five per cent of pregnant women develop gestational diabetes. Pregnancy demands more insulin from the body, which can lead to temporary insulin resistance, similar to Type 2 diabetes. Gestational diabetes usually disappears after you’ve had the baby, but it is a serious condition.
 

FACT: It’s not all about weight

Although being overweight does significantly increase your risk of getting Type 2 diabetes, some people are more susceptible anyway, regardless of how much they weigh. “Someone with more fat around their tummy is more likely to get diabetes,” says Professor Davis.

This is because fat around your stomach produces a chemical that tells your body to resist insulin. But this does doesn’t mean that pear shapes should be complacent.
 

FACT: Not everyone has symptoms

Some of the signs of diabetes are tiredness, blurred vision, the need to urinate often and feeling constantly thirsty. But many people with Type 2 diabetes have no symptoms at all. If you don’t, the disease could still be doing damage. “If you’re overweight or over the age of 45, go to the doctor and get tested,” says Professor Davis.
 

FACT: Pre-diabetes isn’t a life sentence

In Australia, around two million people have a condition known as insulin resistance or pre-diabetes. Their blood sugar levels are relatively normal, but they have too much insulin in their blood. This means that while their tissues are not being damaged by elevated blood sugar, their body is on the way to becoming resistant to insulin. This is a strong precursor to Type 2 diabetes, but you still have time to change that.
 

FACT: Type 2 diabetes can be prevented

“The single biggest thing to do is maintain a healthy weight and exercise often,” says Professor Davis. Even small changes can make a big difference.