Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children or young adults, although it can occur at any age. Approximately 10-15% of all people with diabetes in Australia are diagnosed with Type 1.¹

The onset of type 1 diabetes is often sudden and can include the following symptoms:

• Abnormal thirst and a dry mouth
• Frequent urination
• Extreme tiredness/lack of energy
• Sudden weight loss
• Slow-healing wounds
• Recurrent infections
• Blurred vision

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body’s immune system destroys the beta cells found in the pancreas—the cells that create insulin. As a result, the body makes very little or no insulin of its own.

A person with type 1 diabetes supplies their body with insulin in one of the following ways:

• Insulin pump
• Insulin pen
• Insulin injections with a syringe

Insulin therapy along with following a healthy meal-plan, regular physical activity and frequent blood glucose testing are important in the management of type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes accounts for more than 85-90% of people with diabetes in Australia.¹ In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas may make enough insulin, but the body cannot effectively use the insulin it creates. This is known as insulin resistance. Eventually, the pancreas may stop producing insulin altogether.

Type 2 diabetes traditionally affects people later in life, but can affect people at any age.

Additional risk factors or characteristics for type 2 diabetes include

• Family history of diabetes
• History of gestational diabetes
• Obesity
• Race/Ethnicity.

Some population groups are at much higher risk. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are 3 times more likely to have diabetes than other Australians. People born in North Africa, Middle East, South East Asia, Southern and Eastern Europe also have higher rates of diabetes than those born in Australia.³

Because type 2 diabetes develops slowly and is often hard to detect, many people are not diagnosed until various complications appear. One-third of all people with diabetes may be undiagnosed.²

Depending on its severity, type 2 diabetes can be managed through diet and physical activity, oral medications, or insulin injections, though a combination of these therapies are often prescribed. Self-monitoring of your blood glucose can help measure the success of your therapy.

Hyperglycaemia

Hyperglycaemia, or high blood glucose, occurs when levels rise above your recommended range. Your healthcare professional will determine the proper healthy blood glucose range for you.

High blood glucose can be caused by many things, including:

• Eating too much food
• Little or no physical activity
• Not taking medications
• Stress, infection or illness
• Bad or spoiled insulin

High blood glucose can cause serious problems and is a major cause of long-term diabetes complications. Some warning signs of high blood glucose include:

• Tiredness or fatigue
• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Blurred vision
• Dry mouth or skin
• Slow-healing cuts and sores
• Unexplained weight loss

It is important to keep your blood glucose level within your recommended target range. Checking your blood glucose often may help you avoid hyperglycaemia.

Hypoglycaemia

Hypoglycaemia occurs when your blood glucose level drops too low.

The body responds to low blood glucose levels with warning signs that may be different in each person. Some warning signs of low blood glucose are feeling:

• Weak
• Shaky
• Irritable or confused.

Low blood glucose may occur if your meal or snack is delayed or missed, after vigorous physical activity, or if too much insulin is given. In a person without diabetes, the pancreas will stop producing insulin if the blood glucose level falls below normal. In a person with diabetes, the insulin they inject or pump keeps working, even when the blood glucose level is low.

Low blood glucose may be caused by the following:

• Not following your meal plan
• Too much exercise or exercising for a long time without eating a snack
• Too much medication or a change in the time you take your medication
• Stress
• Side effects from other medications
• Alcohol intake, especially without food

Regular testing may help you avoid hypoglycaemia. Low blood glucose can happen very quickly, so you should be prepared to act fast to correct it. If untreated, hypoglycaemia can cause serious effects, such as seizures or unconsciousness.

Someone who is having seizures or who has passed out will need help from others. People at this severe stage will need an immediate glucagon injection. A healthcare professional must prescribe glucagon and show you and your loved ones how to prepare and inject glucagon.

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes occurs when pregnancy hormones and weight gain block a woman’s body's ability to use insulin properly. This type of diabetes can affect women who have never had diabetes. Gestational diabetes may affect as many as 7% of pregnant women.¹

Gestational diabetes can lead to high blood pressure for the mother and high birth weight for the baby. Although this type of diabetes usually goes away after the baby is born, there is also an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes for both mother and baby in the future. Your baby may also be at higher risk of childhood obesity.²

These risks can be reduced by maintaining a reasonable weight, staying physically active and making healthy food choices. Breast-feeding may lower your baby’s risk for type 2 diabetes as well. See your healthcare professional to create a management plan that is right for you and your baby.