GMHBA Funds Diabetes Management Research  

What is Diabetes?
Diabetes Mellitus (diabetes) is present when there is too much glucose in the blood. Insulin is a hormone that lowers glucose levels in the blood. Glucose (a form of sugar) is the main source of fuel for our bodies. It comes from foods containing carbohydrate. Diabetes develops when the pancreas (the organ responsible for producing insulin) is either unable to make insulin, or the insulin is unable to work effectively. Without insulin doing its job, glucose builds up in the blood leading to high blood glucose levels causing health problems.

There are two main types of diabetes:

1.Type 1
This type of diabetes is sometimes called Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus or Juvenile Onset Diabetes. It usually occurs in people under 30 years, but can occur at any age.Type 1 diabetes affects approximately 15 per cent of people with diabetes. In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas produces no insulin because the cells which make insulin have been destroyed by the immune system.Therefore people with type 1 diabetes require insulin injections to control their blood glucose levels.

2.Type 2
This type of diabetes is sometimes called Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus or Mature Age Onset Diabetes. It usually occurs in people who are over the age of 50 years and have a family history of diabetes; or are overweight, although there are some exceptions. Type 2 diabetes is now more common in younger adults and there are an increasing number of children who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes each year.

Type 2 diabetes affects approximately 85 per cent of people with diabetes and it is these people GMHBA hope can be helped through this research. Being overweight makes insulin less efficient at controlling blood glucose levels.This is often referred to as insulin resistance.Type 2 diabetes often responds to a healthy eating plan, appropriate exercise and weight reduction; but sometimes tablets and then later, insulin may be required.

Type 2 Risk Factors
People most at risk of developing type 2 diabetes often have the following risk factors:
• Have high blood pressure
• Have heart disease
• Are overweight
• Have a family history of diabetes
• Have had diabetes in pregnancy
• Are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage and are over 35 years of age
• Are over 55 years of age
• Are of Chinese, Indian or Pacific Islander heritage and are over 35 years of age

How is diabetes managed?
• Education - take responsibility for your health by finding out as much as you can about diabetes.
• Healthy eating
• Regular physical activity
• Medication - tablets and/or insulin injections
• Regular health checks with various members of a diabetes team
• Maintaining a positive mental attitude
• Home monitoring of blood glucose levels