What is type 2 diabetes?
- Reduction of insulin production or ineffective use
- Is the most common form of diabetes accounting for 83% of those with diabetes in Australia.
- Mostly occurs in people over 40 years
- Now seen in children.
- Has a strong genetic (family) link
- Brought on by lifestyle factors including obesity and lack of exercise and some other health conditions
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes:
- Excessive thirst
- Frequent urination
- Extreme tiredness or feeling lethargic
- Blurred vision
- Mood swings
- Slow healing
Type 2 diabetes can be managed by:
- Changes to diet
- Increase in exercise
- Use of glucose-lowering drugs, insulin injections, or a combination of both.
- Managing type 2 diabetes helps reduce complications developing. We recommend you see your doctor regularly and investigate ways to help control blood glucose levels.
Risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes:
- Family history
- Obesity/overweight
- Pre-diabetes
- Physical inactivity
- Other health conditions
Facts about diabetes in Australia
- 1.7m people live with diabetes in Australia.
- 83% of these have type 2 diabetes.
- For every diagnosed case of type 2 diabetes, there is one undiagnosed case.
- Type 2 diabetes increases your risk of heart disease, kidney failure, and blindness
- There is no such thing as good or bad diabetes, all types are serious health conditions and require careful management
