What is National Diabetes Week?
National Diabetes Week is an annual campaign that raises awareness about the growing prevalence of diabetes in Australia. The 2019 campaign, themed “It’s About Time”, aimed to spread awareness of the early warning signs of type 1 diabetes and emphasise the importance of regular health checks to prevent type 2 diabetes. It’s a week dedicated to educating individuals, supporting families, and encouraging early detection through simple awareness tools like the 4 T’s.
The Difference between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This results in little to no insulin production. It’s typically diagnosed in childhood or adolescence, but it can appear in adults too.
Type 1 can be identified by the ‘four T’s”:
- Toilet: Are you needing to urinate often?
- Tired: Are you feeling lethargic and sleepy?
- Thinner: Are you losing weight without trying to?
- Thirsty: Are you constantly thirsty and drinking more water than usual?
Due to missing the early signs of type 1 diabetes, over 640 people end up in hospital each year. National Diabetes Weeks aims to promote the four T’s so that you can recognise the signs early.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes affects 80-90% of those who have been diagnosed – it is the most common form of diabetes. This occurs when the body can’t make enough insulin. This is a result of living an unhealthy lifestyle and can be genetic. Those who do not exercise, eat poorly and are overweight are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Did you know that people can live with type 2 diabetes for up to 7 years? Almost 500,000 Australians are currently living with it. It is important to make an appointment with your GP if you are overweight or are over the age of 40. Type 2 diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney damage and heart attacks if left untreated. National Diabetes Week focuses on the campaign of “it’s about time” to encourage you to get checked.
How to Manage Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes can be treated by daily insulin injections or a pump. It is also managed through checking blood glucose levels regularly and leading a healthy lifestyle of eating well and exercising often.
Type 2 diabetes can also be managed by monitoring blood glucose levels during the day. Type 2 diabetes often worsens over time. At this point, medication such as tablets or injections are prescribed.
We recommend the following items to help manage type 1 and type 2 diabetes:
- Bathroom scales for weight monitoring
- Digital blood pressure monitor for checking blood pressure
- Portion cups for measuring medicine
- Finger pulse oximeter for measuring heart rate
- Blood glucose meter for glucose monitoring
To find out more about National Diabetes Weeks or how to manage type 1 and type 2 diabetes, visit Diabetes Australia or check out our Instagram page.
