CAN YOU DODGE DIABETES?

What you need to know now – especially if it runs in your family

Experts estimate that as many as one in three people are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes over the next 10 years. “Without a doubt, diabetes is getting worse in Australia,” says Diabetes Australia CEO Professor Greg Johnson.

WHO’S MOST AT RISK?

Like type 1 diabetes, type 2 is a hereditary condition, but getting the disease isn’t inevitable. “You might not be able to change your genes, but you can make positive lifestyle changes through physical activity and weight loss,” says Greg.

It starts with awareness and testing, since the incidence of type 2 diabetes sharply increases after the age of 45, affecting almost as many women as men. “It accounts for 85 to 90 per cent of all diabetes in Australia, whereas type 1 only affects 10 per cent of people with diabetes.”

While type 1 is often considered to be worse, Greg says type 2 can be more serious because it’s usually a silent disease. “High blood sugar levels cause damage to your blood vessels, which then harm your organs as a result of reduced blood supply,” Greg explains. “It’s the leading cause of kidney failure and blindness, as well as circulation problems, which place you at risk of heart attack and stroke.”

RECOGNISE THE SIGNS

Type 2 diabetes symptoms can be mild and may go unnoticed for many years. The biggest risk factors include being overweight – especially if you have abdominal fat – not being physically active, having previously had gestational diabetes, being insulin resistant, having a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome and regularly taking blood pressure medication.

Because type 2 diabetes can lead to serious health complications, Greg says it’s important to be aware of the warning signs, such as increased thirst, fatigue and frequent urination.

“Every woman over 50 should see her GP for blood testing because, while it can happen at any age, it’s more common the older you get,” Greg explains. “Plus, there’s good evidence to suggest that if you are borderline diabetic, there are ways to prevent it from progressing.”

TAKING BACK CONTROL

Nearly half a million Aussies have silent, undiagnosed type 2 diabetes, and another two million are living with pre-diabetes – a symptomfree condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. “While you might not have the disease, if left untreated, it can develop into type 2 diabetes,” Greg explains.

Fortunately, you can prevent pre-diabetes from progressing into type 2 diabetes by modifying your lifestyle habits. This includes eating healthily, losing weight, increasing physical activity, reducing stress and quitting unhealthy habits such as smoking. Studies show that all it takes for you to reduce your risk of diabetes is to lose five to seven per cent of your body weight, and then maintain it through sustained behaviour change.

Find out if you’re at risk of prediabetes using the online calculator at diabetesaustralia. com.au