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Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition in which there is too much sugar (glucose) in the blood. Either the body does not make enough insulin or the insulin it makes doesn’t work properly to control the sugar level in the blood.
There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes usually affects children and young adults. Type 2 diabetes usually occurs after the age of 30.
About four per cent of Australians have diabetes, and the majority (80-85%) have Type2. If not controlled, diabetes can lead to eye damage and blindness, heart attack and stroke, kidney damage, damage to nerves in feet, poor circulation, slow healing of wounds and infections, impotence in men, pregnancy complications in women.
What are the signs and symptoms?
The symptoms of diabetes may be:
- excessive thirst
- excessive urination
- unexplained weight loss
- irritability
- weakness and fatigue
- blurred vision
- tiredness
- tingling and numbness in feet
- excessive weight
- slow healing infections.
What can I do about checking for Diabetes?
If you notice any symptoms or if you have two or more of the following risk factors, you should talk to your general practitioner about having a blood test for diabetes. Risk factors include a family history of diabetes, being overweight, being over 40, having given birth to a baby weighing over 4kg, having high blood pressure or having high cholesterol levels.
How can Diabetes be treated?
If diabetes is detected, it can often be controlled at first with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and reducing alcohol intake. In many cases, tablets or insulin injections may be needed to control the diabetes.
Where can I get more information?
Publications
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