Living with Diabetes — Diabetes Australia reports that 280 Australians develop diabetes every day, and it is the fastest growing chronic condition in this country.
The current statistics from Diabetes Australia estimate that 10% of these are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and 85-90% with type 2 diabetes. Gestational diabetes is also increasing in prevalence.
There are different types of diabetes; all types are complex and serious. The three main types of diabetes are type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune condition that has no cure and can't be prevented. It is not linked to modifiable lifestyle factors.
Type 2 is largely a preventable condition. By modifying behavioural and lifestyle factors the risk decreases. The common risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes include:
Those with a family history of diabetes have a genetic disposition to developing type 2 diabetes.
Genes have also been identified as increasing the risk of diabetes type 2 in some cultural backgrounds including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Chinese, South Asian, Indian, and Pacific Islander people. Although inherited genes may influence the development of type 2 diabetes, modification of behaviour and lifestyle are the most important preventative measures.
Potential complications are the same for type 1 and type 2 diabetes and include heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, limb amputation, depression, anxiety and blindness.
We know diabetes:
For more information visit Diabetes Australia.
Why not read some of our articles on staying healthy that relate to diabetes:
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