What is Diabetes?
1.2 million Australians have diabetes - half of them don’t know it – yet
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic disease characterised by having too much glucose in the blood because the body is not producing insulin or not using insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone needed for glucose to enter the cells and be converted to energy.
There are two main types of diabetes
Type 1 diabetes (insulin dependent)
- Represents 10 to 15% of all cases of diabetes
- Occurs when the pancreas gland no longer produces the insulin needed
- Is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases in developed nations
- Is not caused by lifestyle factors
Diagnosis
Usually occurs in childhood or young adulthood, although it can occur at any age.
Symptoms
Usually abrupt onset. Symptoms can include excessive thirst and urination, unexplained weight loss, weakness and fatigue, irritability.
Treatment
Lifelong insulin injections every day, regular blood glucose level tests, healthy eating plan and regular physical activity.
Type 2 diabetes (non-insulin dependent)
- Represents 85 to 90% of all cases of diabetes
- Occurs when the pancreas is not producing enough insulin and the insulin is not working effectively
- Lifestyle factors such as unhealthy diet and lack of exercise can contribute to the development of Type 2 diabetes
- Risk factors include family history of type 2 diabetes and/or heart disease, obesity, inactivity, being over 55 years of age, past history of have diabetes in pregnancy (gestational diabetes).
Diagnosis
Usually in adults over the age of 45 but it is increasingly occurring at a younger age, and may occur in childhood.
Symptoms
Sometimes symptoms go unnoticed as the disease develops gradually. Symptoms may include any of those for Type 1 diabetes plus blurred vision, skin infections, slow healing, tingling and numbness in the feet. Sometimes no symptoms are noticed at all.
Treatment
Regular physical activity and healthy eating. Over time treatment may progress from lifestyle modification to requiring tablets and/or insulin injections.
Pre-diabetes
2 million Australians have a condition known as pre-diabetes and if left untreated may develop into Type 2 diabetes within 5 to10 years. Pre-diabetes is a condition when blood glucose levels are higher then normal but not yet high enough for a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes. In addition to the risk of developing diabetes, people with pre-diabetes are more likely to have a heart attack or stroke.
Gestational diabetes (in pregnancy)
Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes that occurs in pregnancy and mostly disappears after the birth.
- Occurs in less than 9% of pregnancies (the mother does not have diabetes before pregnancy)
- Increases the risk of pregnancy complications
- Significantly increases the risk for women to develop Type 2 diabetes later in life
- May have an incidence of gestational diabetes as high as 20% amongst Aboriginal women and those from high risk ethnic groups, including India, China, Asia and Pacific Islands.
- Women who are over the age of 30, overweight, have a family history of Type 2 diabetes, have had gestational diabetes during previous pregnancies and women who have had difficulty bringing pregnancy to full term are at greater risk of gestational diabetes.
Complications of diabetes
Complications of diabetes include increased risk of heart disease and stroke, blindness, kidney failure, limb amputation and erectile dysfunction in men.
Diabetes and eye disease. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in Australians aged under 60. The development of retinopathy is strongly related to the length of time diabetes has been present and the degree of blood glucose control. Regular checks and treatment can prevent retinopathy-caused blindness.
Diabetes and kidney disease. Diabetes is the second most common causes of end stage renal disease (ESRD). In 2001 Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes accounted for 25% (Type 1: 4%, Type 2: 21%) of all new cases of ESRD diagnosed in Australia.
Diabetes and lower limbs. Neuropathy or peripheral nerve disease and vascular damage may lead to leg ulcers and serious foot problems from which limb amputation may result.
Diabetes and heart disease/stroke. Diabetes is also often associated with high blood pressure and high blood fats (cholesterol and triglycerides) and causes an increased risk of heart attack and stroke.
High risk categories for developing Type 2 diabetes
- Over 45 years of age and have high blood pressure
- Over 45 years of age and overweight
- Over 45 years of age and one of more members of the family has/had diabetes
- Over 55 years of age
- Have heart disease or had a heart attack
- Have/had high blood glucose levels during pregnancy (gestational diabetes)
- Have recorded a pre-diabetes Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG) or Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) blood
- glucose level
- Have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
- Over 35 years of age and are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
- Over 35 years of age and from Pacific Islands, Indian subcontinent or Chinese cultural background
The information on this page was kindly provided by Diabetes Australia.
For more information Phone: 1300 136 588
Statistics sourced from DA surveys, AusDiab, Diabcost September 2002 and partner health organizations.