Diabetes is the most rapidly developing chronic illness in Australia, outpacing other chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Despite the disease’s widespread prevalence, there is a significant lack of knowledge about what it is, how it is triggered, and how it is treated. Diabetes is the epidemic of the twenty-first century and Australia’s health system’s greatest issue. Diabetes affects about 1.8 million Australians. This covers both confirmed diabetes (1.2 million people with the disease) and undiagnosed type 2 diabetes (up to 500,000 estimated).
Diabetes is a serious, lifelong condition that can cause heart disease, stroke, and long-term nerve, eye, and foot issues. Let’s talk about diabetes for a bit.
So, what is diabetes, and where does it originate?
What is Diabetes?Diabetes is a term that describes a group of conditions in which the body’s ability to control glucose (a kind of sugar) levels in the blood is impaired. People with diabetes are unable to properly convert glucose from sugar to energy, resulting in high blood sugar levels known as hyperglycaemia.
You may have questions about diabetes if you have it or know someone who does. There are a lot of misconceptions regarding diabetes and how to manage it. Here are some diabetic facts to be aware of.
Myths and Facts Myth: I won’t acquire diabetes since no one in my family has it.Fact: Having a diabetic parent or sibling doubles your chances of developing diabetes. In reality, both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are linked to a family history of diabetes. Many people with diabetes, on the other hand, have no close relatives who have the disease.
Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising most days of the week, and eating a nutritious diet can all help to lower your risk.
Myth: Because I am overweight, I will most certainly acquire diabetes.Fact: Being overweight raises your chances of developing diabetes. Many people who are overweight or obese, on the other hand, never acquire diabetes. Diabetes can occur in persons who are either normal weight or somewhat overweight. Your best hope is to reduce your risk by losing weight through dietary modifications and increased physical exercise.
Myth: I consume a lot of sugar and am afraid about developing diabetes.Fact: Sugar consumption does not cause diabetes. However, you should still limit your intake of sweets and sugary beverages.
It’s understandable that many are unsure if sugar causes diabetes. This perplexity may stem from the fact that food is transformed into a sugar called glucose when consumed. Glucose, commonly known as blood sugar, is a kind of sugar that gives the body energy. Insulin transports glucose from the bloodstream into cells, where it is utilised for energy. Diabetes is a condition in which the body does not produce enough insulin or does not utilise insulin effectively. As a result of the excess sugar remaining in the circulation, the level of blood glucose (blood sugar) rises.
The major issue with consuming a lot of sugar and drinking sugar-sweetened drinks for those who do not have diabetes is that it can lead to obesity. And being overweight raises your chances of developing diabetes.
Myth: Once my blood sugar is under control, I can stop taking diabetic medications.Fact: Some people with type 2 diabetes may regulate their blood sugar levels without taking medication if they lose weight, consume a nutritious diet, and exercise regularly.
However, diabetes is a progressive condition, and you may require medication to keep your blood sugar within your goal range over time, even if you are doing everything you can to be healthy.
Myth: I was placed on insulin by my doctor. This indicates that I am not properly controlling my blood sugar.Insulin is required for people with type 1 diabetes because their bodies no longer manufacture this vital hormone. Type 2 diabetes progresses, meaning the body produces less insulin with time. Exercise, dietary modifications, and oral medications may not be enough to keep your blood sugar under control over time. Then you’ll need to utilise insulin to maintain a healthy blood sugar level.
Facts about diabetes:- Every day, 280 Australians develop diabetes. Every five minutes, one person is diagnosed .
- It is Australia’s fastest-growing chronic disease.
- In the last year, more than 100,000 Australians have developed diabetes. A family member or caretaker who ‘lives with diabetes’ every day in a support role is generally present for every individual diagnosed with diabetes. This implies that diabetes affects an estimated 2.4 million Australians every day.
- Diabetes claimed the lives of 5.1 million people worldwide in 2013
- Diabetes affects about 400 million adults globally, which is a significant number of people!
- In certain nations, getting diabetic insulin is a major challenge.
- Even in a country as rich as the United States, some individuals cannot afford insulin.
- The country having the greatest number of diabetics is China.
‘If you have diabetes, you must know how to manage your diabetes. If you have a diabetic family member or friend, you can learn how to help them.’
It’s your time to know more about it and help others in a time of need!
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