Type 2 diabetes on the march in National Diabetes Week

10 Jul 2015 12:27 PMMichael Hart

 

Type 2 diabetes on the march in National Diabetes Week

 

Type 2 diabetes, the condition linked to the expanding waist lines of too many Queenslanders, is on the march in Burleigh with latest figures revealing a two-year increase of 65 local people living with the condition.

 

Welcoming National Diabetes Week (12 July – 18 July), the Member for Burleigh, Michael Hart, sounds a warning that serious health complications are linked to diabetes and calls on local residents to assess their risk.

 

“Already more than 1,025 people in Burleigh are living with type 2 diabetes. That’s a 7 percent increase since 2013, but because type 2 can remain hidden and is often hard to detect, the real figure could be much higher,” Mr Hart said. “Type 1 numbers across the state are more consistent, and in Burleigh, currently 150 people have type 1.

 

“Diabetes Queensland tells us that for every person diagnosed with type 2 diabetes there are nearly three people who are either undiagnosed or have pre-diabetes.”

 

Diabetes Queensland CEO Michele Trute said that by understanding more about type 2 and assessing their personal risk factors, Queenslanders at risk of the condition could reduce or even forestall the onset of its dangerous complications.

 

“Once diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you have the condition for life,” Ms Trute said.

 

“Poorly managed diabetes can result in serious health complications including nerve damage, loss of limbs and blindness – but in most cases, type 2 diabetes can be prevented.”

 

Mr Hart encouraged people to spend five minutes doing a free online assessment at Diabetes Queensland’s website to understand their risk of developing the condition.

 

“People need to be aware of the risk factors so they can take action to turn diabetes around,” Mr Hart said.

 

“Reducing your risk of developing type 2 diabetes need not be difficult. It can be as easy as taking the dog for a walk or making other small changes – like eating five serves of vegetables and two of fruit every day.”

 

People can take the type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment at: www.diabetesqld.org.au

 

Media contact: Burleigh Electorate Office – 5526 6024

 

Diabetes Facts:

Diabetes Queensland is the peak body that provides a powerful voice for Queenslanders living with or at risk of diabetes.

• 280 Australians (including 62 Queenslanders) develop diabetes every day

• That’s one Australian every five minutes and one Queenslander every 23 minutes

• Around 1.7 million Australians (314,000 Queenslanders) have diabetes. This includes all types of diagnosed diabetes (1.2 million Australians/214,285 Queenslanders known and registered) as well as silent, undiagnosed type 2 diabetes (up to 500,000 Australians/100,000 Queenslanders estimated)

• More than 100,000 Australians/20,000 Queenslanders have developed diabetes in the past year

Diabetes is a serious lifelong condition. Of three main types of diabetes, the most common (type 2) has been diagnosed and reported by 186,843 Queenslanders.

Type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition. The body cannot process glucose properly for the energy it needs. Type 2 has an immediate impact on the body, but can go undetected if people do not understand their risk factors and take action.

Type 1 diabetes is very different. It is an autoimmune condition which results in the destruction of the insulin producing cells in the pancreas. 21548 Queenslanders have type 1 diabetes and must inject synthetic insulin multiple times a day.

Gestational diabetes occurs only during pregnancy; however, mum is at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.

Symptoms of diabetes include:

• passing urine more often, especially at night

• increased thirst

• extreme tiredness

• unexplained weight loss (type 1)

• slow healing of cuts and wounds

• blurred vision

While type 1 diabetes cannot be cured or prevented, the onset of type 2 can be prevented or delayed in up to 60 percent of cases by keeping a healthy weight, eating well and being active.