Boosting diabetes awareness

Wimmera Health Care Group used Diabetes Week to encourage people to think about their risk of developing the condition.

Group diabetes educator Sophie Ingoldsby said the annual awareness week, from July 8 to 14, provided a good time for people to learn about the seriousness and prevalence of type-two diabetes.

She encouraged everyone to check their risk.

Ms Ingoldsby said the incidence of diabetes was on the rise.

Last year, 100,000 Australians developed the chronic condition.

Ms Ingoldsby said experts estimated 500,000 people nationwide had type-two diabetes but did not know it.

“If you are over 40 or have any worrying symptoms, make time to see your doctor because health outcomes are improved when signs and symptoms are followed up earlier,” she said.

She said people could visit www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/ risk-calculator to check their risk of type-two diabetes.

Initial symptoms include extreme thirst, frequent urination and fatigue.

Ms Ingoldsby said with typetwo diabetes, these symptoms might increase slowly.

“The first time a person realises they have the disease is when they develop complications such as a non-healing wound, heart attack, kidney problems or blindness,” she said.

There are two main types of diabetes.

Type one is predominantly diagnosed in childhood or early adulthood and occurs when the body starts attacking its own insulin producing cells.

Type two is largely a lifestyle disease related to obesity, which gradually worsens over time.

“There are many young local people with type-one diabetes, which requires insulin injections every day and frequent finger pricks to check blood glucose levels,” Ms Ingoldsby said.

“Having to manage diabetes with insulin requires an average of 21 decisions every day.

“There is good news with diabetes research progressing at a rapid rate over the past few years.

“Blood glucose can now be monitored with sensors giving a continuous readout of glucose levels.

“This has lessened the need for stinging fingers and increased peace of mind for many.”

FOCUS ON DIABETES: Cooper Rosevear, who uses insulin pump therapy and continuous glucose monitoring to help control his type-one diabetes, with mum Vicki Hughes.