Just over 1.3 million (or one in 20) Australians live with diabetes, which Carolien Koreneff, accredited diabetes educator at Diabetes Australia, describes as “a chronic condition that particularly affects the metabolism of carbohydrate-containing foods”.
He adds: “Carbohydrate-containing foods are broken down into glucose. Glucose is our main source of energy, but if it cannot be used properly, diabetes will develop.”
There are three main types of diabetes. Type 1 is an autoimmune condition that is not preventable.
“In some people, the immune system starts attacking the pancreas,” explains Carolien. “Once the pancreas is destroyed, a person is no longer able to produce insulin, which affects glucose metabolism. And so, people with type 1 diabetes rely on insulin injections or infusions.”
Type 2 diabetes, however, can often be prevented or managed through lifestyle changes. “Type 2 diabetes is more of an insulin resistance problem. The body still produces insulin, but the insulin does not work properly.”
The third major type is gestational diabetes (GDM), which occurs during pregnancy.
“Usually, it means your glucose levels are slightly above target. These goals are very different from those we have in type 1 and type 2 diabetes because the fetus is very sensitive to glucose.”
In addition to medications, treatment for GDM focuses on lifestyle changes.
Symptoms of diabetes, according to Carolien, include the four Ts: tiredness, thirst, weight loss and toilet. According to her, increased glucose levels lead to the need to use the bathroom more and, because of this, people end up feeling thirsty and tired.
For those with undiagnosed type 1 diabetes, the condition can also lead to sudden, unexplained weight loss.
