Diabetes is a long-term health condition that occurs when your blood sugar (glucose) levels are too high. Normally, insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar, will allow glucose to travel from your bloodstream into the cells in your muscles and tissues. In someone with diabetes, either your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or isn’t using it effectively. This causes glucose to build up in your bloodstream, causing high blood sugar levels.
Consistently high blood sugar levels can cause short and long term damage to your body. That's why careful management of the condition is important. Poorly managed diabetes can lead to complications such as eye, kidney, nerve, foot, and heart damage. But with proper treatment and lifestyle changes, people with this condition can live well.
What are the most common types of diabetes?
There are 3 main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2 and gestational.
- Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the immune system destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin daily and monitor their glucose levels to stay within their target range. It mainly affects people under 30 and accounts for around 10% of all diabetes cases (Diabetes Australia n.d.). There is a strong genetic link, and while it's not lifestyle-related, a healthy lifestyle can help to manage the condition.
- Type 2 diabetes is the most common, making up around 90% of all diabetes cases (IDF 2021:14). It develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn't produce enough insulin to maintain normal glucose levels. Type 2 diabetes usually develops more slowly than type 1 and can sometimes be symptomless. Both lifestyle factors and genetics play a significant role in the development of type 2 diabetes.
- Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy due to hormones produced by the placenta causing insulin resistance. It is typically diagnosed between the 24th and 28th weeks of pregnancy. In Australia, almost 18% of pregnant people were diagnosed with gestational diabetes in 2021-2022 (AIHW 2024a). But it can be managed easily, and most women have a healthy pregnancy and delivery. Blood sugar levels typically return to normal after birth, but having had gestational diabetes increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later (Diabetes Australia n.d. -a), so regular monitoring is important.
What are the statistics around diabetes in Australia?
Diabetes currently affects approximately 1.4 million Australians (NDSS 2024) and was in the top 10 leading causes of death of Australians in 2022 (ABS 2023). This number has almost tripled since 2000, from 460,000 (AIHW 2024) to 1.4 million people in 2024 (NDSS 2024).
Diabetes is most common amongst older Australian’s, with over 66% of people with diabetes aged 60 years or older (NDSS 2024) with men 1.3 times more likely to have diabetes than women (AIHW 2024).
What is Diabetes Awareness Week and why is it important?
With diabetes numbers rapidly rising in Australia, it’s crucial to raise awareness of the risk factors and the signs and symptoms of the condition. Early detection can help prevent organ damage and complications like kidney disease and heart disease.
This year, National Diabetes Week highlights the urgent need for fair access to life-saving diabetes technology. Many Australians can't afford the tech they need to manage their diabetes effectively, which impacts their health and puts a significant burden on our healthcare system (Diabetes Australia n.d. -b).
Diabetes Awareness Week serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding and addressing this widespread health issue. By raising awareness, supporting people living with or at risk of diabetes, and advocating for better standards of care, we can work towards reducing the impact of diabetes on individuals and the whole community. Together, through education, support, and research, we can work towards a future where diabetes is better understood, better managed, and, ultimately, cured.
Who can help me manage my diabetes?
Exercise plays an important role in managing diabetes (Colberg et al. 2016). Exercise physiologists are among the many health professionals who work together to support people with diabetes.
Exercise physiologists are qualified health professionals who are formally trained to understand how the body works and how exercise can help improve chronic health conditions like diabetes. They can create a tailored program so you can exercise safely with diabetes. Contact a Kieser clinic and book an appointment with an exercise physiologist today.
References:
ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) (2023) Diabetes, 2022, ABS website, accessed 7 July 2024.
AIHW (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2024) Diabetes: Australian facts, AIHW, accessed 4 July 2024.
AIHW (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2024a) Gestational diabetes, AIHW, accessed 7 July 2024.
Diabetes Australia (n.d.) Type 1 diabetes, Diabetes Australia, accessed 5 July 2024.
Diabetes Australia (n.d. -a) Gestational diabetes, Diabetes Australia, accessed 7 July 2024.
Diabetes Australia (n.d. -b) Unite in the fight for tech, Diabetes Australia, accessed 7 July 2024.
Colberg S, Sigal R, Yardley J, Riddell M, Dunstan D, Dempsey P, Horton E, Castorino K & Tate D (2016) ‘Physical Activity/Exercise and Diabetes: A Position Statement of the American Diabetes Association’, Diabetes Care, 39(11):2065–2079, doi:10.2337/dc16-1728.
IDF (International Diabetes Federation) (2021) IDF Diabetes Atlas 10th edition, IDF, accessed 4 July 2024.
NDSS (National Disability Services Scheme) (2024) All types of diabetes, NDSS, accessed 8 July 2024.
