Highlights of Government Support for Diabetes 1999 - What is diabetes?
Highlights of Government Support for Diabetes 1999 - What is diabetes?
health.gov.au
This report is designed to inform non-government organisations, service providers and health professionals of the broad range of diabetes initiatives funded by Commonwealth and State and Territory governments.
What is diabetes?
The Trio
Diabetes mellitus is a condition where the body cannot maintain normal blood glucose levels.
Glucose is the main source of fuel for the body.
Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose move from the blood into the cells.
When the body does not produce enough insulin, the cells cannot use glucose and the blood glucose level rises.
Three main types of diabetes affect Australians - type 1 (insulin-dependent diabetes), type 2 (non-insulin-dependent diabetes) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
Type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease where the body's immune system destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.
This type of diabetes, also known as juvenile-onset diabetes, accounts for 10-15% of all people with the disease.
It can appear at any age, although commonly under 40, and is triggered by environmental factors such as viruses, diet or chemicals in people genetically predisposed.
To live, people with type 1 diabetes must inject themselves with insulin several times a day and follow a careful diet and exercise plan.
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Type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, affecting 85-90% of all people with the disease.
This type of diabetes, also known as late-onset diabetes, is characterised by insulin resistance and relative insulin deficiency.
The disease is strongly genetic in origin but lifestyle factors such as excess weight, inactivity, high blood pressure and poor diet are major risk factors for its development.
Symptoms may not show for many years and, by the time they appear, significant problems may have developed.
People with type 2 diabetes are twice as likely to suffer cardiovascular disease.
Type 2 diabetes may be treated by dietary changes, exercise and/or tablets. Insulin injections may later be required.
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)
GDM, or carbohydrate intolerance, is first diagnosed during pregnancy through an oral glucose tolerance test.
Between 5.5 and 8.8% of pregnant women develop GDM in Australia.
Risk factors for GDM include a family history of diabetes, increasing maternal age, obesity and being a member of a community or ethnic group with a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
While the carbohydrate intolerance usually returns to normal after the birth, the mother has a significant risk of developing permanent diabetes while the baby is more likely to develop obesity and impaired glucose tolerance and/or diabetes later in life.
Self-care and dietary changes are essential in treatment.
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Diabetes complications
Diabetic complications can be classified broadly as microvascular or macrovascular disease.
Microvascular complications include neuropathy (nerve damage), nephropathy (kidney disease) and vision disorders (eg retinopathy, glaucoma, cataract and corneal disease).
Macrovascular complications include heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease (which can lead to ulcers, gangrene and amputation).
Other complications of diabetes include infections, metabolic difficulties, impotence, autonomic neuropathy and pregnancy problems.
Page last modified: 1999
ABN: 83 605 426 759 © Commonwealth of Australia
