Diabetes:
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body has difficulty regulating blood sugar (glucose) levels. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps cells take in glucose from the blood to use as energy. When insulin doesn’t work properly, blood sugar levels can become too high, leading to diabetes.
Types of diabetes:
1) Type 1 diabetes — It happens when the body can’t use glucose because there’s not enough insulin. This is due to the destruction of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
2) Type 2 diabetes — This type occurs when there is a gradual decline in insulin production or when the body can’t use glucose effectively. This leads to a relative lack of insulin.
Signs & Symptoms
Gradually increased high blood glucose levels can cause:
• Excessive thirst
• Passing more urine
• Tiredness
• Always feeling hungry
• Blurred vision
• Frequent infections (e.g., thrush, cystitis)
Complications
Acute complications
Chronic complications
Acute complications:
1) Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar levels) may cause:
• Shaking, weakness, dizziness
• Sweating
• Fast heart beat
• Hunger
• Numbness or tingling around lips
• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Blurred vision
• Slurred speech
• Loss of consciousness
2) High levels of blood acids (diabetic ketoacidosis) may cause:
• Nausea, vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Confusion
3) Hyperosmolar hyperglycaemia
may cause:
• Dehydration
• Confusion
• Seizures
Chronic complications:
1) Diabetic kidney disease
2) Diabetic eye damage – e.g.
vision impairment and blindness
3) Nerve pain or numbness
4) Heart disease, stroke
5) Slow healing wounds (e.g., leg
and foot ulcers)
6) Erectile dysfunction (male
impotence).
Risk Factors:
• Age over 40 years
• Race/ethnicity: Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Asian, Middle Eastern, Southern European or North African
• A family history of diabetes
• Overweight
• High blood pressure (generally above 120/80mmHg)
• Smoking
• Poor diet, low in fruit and vegetables
• Lack of physical activity
• High blood cholesterol
Self Care
• Target blood glucose level:
– Before meals 4-7 mmol/L
– 2 Hours after meals 5-10 mmol/L
• Eat regular, healthy meals. Limit foods that are high in fat, sugar, or salt.
• Choose low Glycemic Index (GI) foods
• The Glycemic Index measures how quickly a
food raises your blood glucose levels.
Higher values indicate a greater impact on blood sugar levels.
• Consider sugar substitute e.g. monk fruit sweetener, stevia
• Exercise for at least 30 minutes on all or most days of the week
• Keep to a healthy body weight
• Limit alcohol intake
• Don’t smoke – it contributes to diabetic complications
• Always have some quick-acting carbohydrate (glucose) with you
• Monitor your blood pressure regularly, targeting an average reading of 120/80mmHg
References:
1) Type 2 diabetes [published 2022]. In: Therapeutic Guidelines [Internet]. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. [cited 27/06/24]. Available from:
https://tgldcdp.tg.org.au/viewTopicetgAccess=true&guidelinePage=Diabetes&topicfile=type-2-diabetes-in-adults&guidelinename=Diabetes§ionId=toc_d1e47#toc_d1e47
2) PSA Self care cards [Internet]. Pharmaceutical Society of Australia; 2010 [cited 27/06/24].
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Complications
Complications
Gradually increased high blood
glucose levels can cause:
• Excessive thirst
• Passing more urine
• Tiredness
• Always feeling hungry
• Blurred vision
• Frequent infections (e.g., thrush,
cystitis)