STOP diabetes!

It scares me to think how out of control diabetes has become, especially in the last 10 years or so.

PLEASE don't ignore the signs, even if you are young...

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• - 275 Australians develop diabetes every day
• - Diabetes is Australia’s fastest growing chronic disease
• - Nearly 1,000,000 Australians are currently diagnosed with diabetes. 
• - For every person diagnosed, it is estimated that there is another who is not yet diagnosed; a total of about 1.7 million people.
• - The total number of Australians with diabetes and pre-diabetes is estimated at 3.2 million.
• - As the sixth leading cause of death in Australia, it is critical we take action.
• - Up to 60% of cases of type 2 diabetes can be prevented.

Sources:
Diabetes Atlas, third edition, International Diabetes Federation, 2007
Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease: Time to Act, International Diabetes Federation, 2001
AusDiab Report, 2006
The Economic Costs of Obesity, 2006
World Health Organisation Diabetes Uni

Long term effects

Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

In type 2 diabetes, many people have no symptoms at all, while other signs are dismissed as a part of ‘getting older’. By the time type 2 diabetes is diagnosed, the complications of diabetes may already be present. Symptoms include: 

• Being excessively thirsty
• Passing more urine
• Feeling tired and lethargic
• Always feeling hungry
• Having cuts that heal slowly
• Itching, skin infections
• Blurred vision
• Gradually putting on weight
• Mood swings
• Headaches
• Feeling dizzy
• Leg cramps.

Preventing Type 2 Diabetes

It is estimated that up to 60% of type 2 diabetes can be prevented. People at risk of type 2 diabetes can delay and even prevent this disease by following a healthy lifestyle. This includes:

• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Regular physical activity
• Making healthy food choices
• Managing blood pressure
• Managing cholesterol levels
• Not smoking.