National Diabetes Week runs from 14-20 July and is a great opportunity to reflect on your current lifestyle habits and identify possible risk factors.
Did you know that the risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes include:
having a family history of Type 2 Diabetes
having pre-diabetes
being above the healthy weight range
having an inactive lifestyle
increasing age
having an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background
being from a Melanesian, Polynesian, Chinese, Southeast Asian, Middle Eastern or Indian background
having gestational diabetes during pregnancy
being a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome
taking some types of antipsychotic or steroid medications
The good news is that some of these risks can be reduced by making healthy food choices, regular exercise and being a healthy weight. You can check your risk at https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/risk-calculator
If you experience any of the below symptoms, you could have diabetes:
being thirsty and drinking more than usual
feeling tired and low on energy
going to the toilet (to pass urine) more often
sores or cuts that won’t heal
blurred vision
itching and skin infections
pain or tingling in the legs or feet
Although there is no cure for Diabetes, it can be well managed with assistance from a multi-disciplinary team, including General Practitioner, Credentialled Diabetes Educator, Dietitian, Exercise Physiologist, Podiatrist and Optometrist.