R.C. Anderson
National Diabetes Week
July 10th 2007 00:22
This week, July 8-14, is National Diabetes Week and Diabetes Australia is urging all Australians to lose a few inches around their waist and lower their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
It’s believed that 800,000 Australians may have diabetes and not realise it; an alarming statistic considering that around 3.3 million people in this country alone are at risk of developing the condition. Unfortunately Australia's indigenous population suffers the fourth highest rate of Type 2 diabetes in the world.
Dr Gary Deed, National President of Diabetes Australia has put out the challenge to all adult Australians. “People can assess their risk by measuring their waists. Acting
quickly gives them the opportunity to prevent type 2 diabetes,” he stated.
It’s believed that excess weight, particularly around the abdomen, puts people in a higher risk category of developing type 2 diabetes. A waistline measuring over 90 cm for women and 100 cm for men is the danger measurement and should be taken seriously as complications of type 2 diabetes include blindness, amputation, kidney damage, heart disease and stroke.
A person with type 2 diabetes can possibly also look forward to a reduced life expectancy, with a reduction of 12-14 years being normal.
However, all is not lost. By losing a few centimetres off the waist and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including being physically active, eating healthily and losing a few kilos too, people in the high risk category can reduce that risk by up to 60 per cent.
Facts about Diabetes
In April 2001 the results of the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Life Study were released. Some of the facts included were:
• Nearly one-in-four Australian adults have diabetes or impaired glucose metabolism
• Diabetes is the sixth highest disease based killer in Australia
• Type 2 diabetes is the fastest growing chronic disease in Australia with almost 1500 new cases diagnosed every week
• Type 2 diabetes costs $3 billion in Australia every year with the average cost for each sufferer estimated at $10,900 for those with no complications. If there are complications the cost rises significantly to an average of $20,525
People with diabetes are:
• Three times more likely to suffer high blood pressure
• Three times more likely to be obese
• Three times more likely to have high cholesterol
• Two to three times more likely to suffer heart attack or stroke
Of the people with diabetes, up to 80 per cent of sufferers will die of coronary heart disease and up to 14 per cent will die of renal disease. Five per cent of diabetes sufferers will experience foot ulcers.
So, who’s at risk?
People over 45 years of age who suffer high blood pressure and/or are overweight are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. There is also a genetic link so if one or more members of your family are sufferers then your risk is increased.
People who have an existing heart condition or who have already had a heart attack are also at greater risk as are women who have developed gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
People over 55 years of age are automatically in a higher risk category however, for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people, their risk increases after the age of 35.
Research into diabetes
There is no cure for either form of diabetes however research is ongoing with scientists hopeful that a cure for type 1 diabetes will be developed soon. A cure for type 2 diabetes is much further away but lifestyle changes can delay or prevent the disease.
For more information on all aspects of diabetes contact Diabetes Australia on 1300 136 588 or www.diabetesaustralia.com.
It’s believed that 800,000 Australians may have diabetes and not realise it; an alarming statistic considering that around 3.3 million people in this country alone are at risk of developing the condition. Unfortunately Australia's indigenous population suffers the fourth highest rate of Type 2 diabetes in the world.
Dr Gary Deed, National President of Diabetes Australia has put out the challenge to all adult Australians. “People can assess their risk by measuring their waists. Acting
quickly gives them the opportunity to prevent type 2 diabetes,” he stated.
It’s believed that excess weight, particularly around the abdomen, puts people in a higher risk category of developing type 2 diabetes. A waistline measuring over 90 cm for women and 100 cm for men is the danger measurement and should be taken seriously as complications of type 2 diabetes include blindness, amputation, kidney damage, heart disease and stroke.
A person with type 2 diabetes can possibly also look forward to a reduced life expectancy, with a reduction of 12-14 years being normal.
However, all is not lost. By losing a few centimetres off the waist and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including being physically active, eating healthily and losing a few kilos too, people in the high risk category can reduce that risk by up to 60 per cent.
Facts about Diabetes
In April 2001 the results of the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Life Study were released. Some of the facts included were:
• Nearly one-in-four Australian adults have diabetes or impaired glucose metabolism
• Diabetes is the sixth highest disease based killer in Australia
• Type 2 diabetes is the fastest growing chronic disease in Australia with almost 1500 new cases diagnosed every week
• Type 2 diabetes costs $3 billion in Australia every year with the average cost for each sufferer estimated at $10,900 for those with no complications. If there are complications the cost rises significantly to an average of $20,525
People with diabetes are:
• Three times more likely to suffer high blood pressure
• Three times more likely to be obese
• Three times more likely to have high cholesterol
• Two to three times more likely to suffer heart attack or stroke
Of the people with diabetes, up to 80 per cent of sufferers will die of coronary heart disease and up to 14 per cent will die of renal disease. Five per cent of diabetes sufferers will experience foot ulcers.
So, who’s at risk?
People over 45 years of age who suffer high blood pressure and/or are overweight are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. There is also a genetic link so if one or more members of your family are sufferers then your risk is increased.
People who have an existing heart condition or who have already had a heart attack are also at greater risk as are women who have developed gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
People over 55 years of age are automatically in a higher risk category however, for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people, their risk increases after the age of 35.
Research into diabetes
There is no cure for either form of diabetes however research is ongoing with scientists hopeful that a cure for type 1 diabetes will be developed soon. A cure for type 2 diabetes is much further away but lifestyle changes can delay or prevent the disease.
For more information on all aspects of diabetes contact Diabetes Australia on 1300 136 588 or www.diabetesaustralia.com.
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Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
No-one really knows what happened. He either had too much insulin or not enough on the day he died....slipped into a coma....
So yeah...I hope they find a cure soon.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Andrea
V8 Supercar Pitstop
What a terrible thing to happen and thanks for sharing your story.
Diabetes is an awful condition that I don't think many non-sufferers take seriously enough so hopefully awareness can be raised with this campaign and more tragic and unnecessary deaths can be avoided.
I'm really sorry about your cousin.
A. xx