Diabetes WA
Posted by Dianne Reed
on Aug 11, 2015
Deanne Dymock from Diabetes WA spoke at our meeting this morning. She is the Manager of Community Relations and has personal knowledge of diabetes as a number of her family have it. Like Deanne, many of us have the same story and are 'sitting ducks'.
Diabetes is a disorder in which the body is unable to properly use the carbohydrates in food because the pancreas either doesn't make enough insulin, the insulin produced is ineffective or a combination of both. There are 2 types of diabetes. Type I - where the pancreas does not produce insulin; or Type II - where the amount of insulin produced is either not effective or insufficient. 
Deanne explained that the pancreas releases insulin to convert food into something that our body can use. You need a fully functioning pancreas to produce insulin. When it doesn't work properly diabetes could be the cause. The typical symptoms include - rapid weight loss, increased thirst and cuts/wounds that don't heal as quickly as expected. Problems with vision are also a possible symptom.
Those diagnosed with Type I diabetes will need to have regular insulin injections (either with a pen, needle or pump); whereas those with Type II diabetes can generally manage their condition with some lifestyle changes without having to resort to medication. Some people are more predisposed to the condition than others - men are more likely to get it than women; those over the age of 40 the risk increases; some genetic backgrounds will also increase people's chances of getting diabetes.
Healthy eating and regular exercise is the key to minimising the impact diabetes has on each of us. Type I diabetes used to be traditionally the children's version, whilst Type II was found more in adults; but unfortunately some children are now being diagnosed with Type II diabetes. This has real consequences for their future. As an adult complications associated with having diabetes often won't really show up for 10 - 15 years so if you are diagnosed with diabetes in your 50's or 60's the complications won't appear until your 60's, 70's or 80's. But for the children being diagnosed with it, it means these complications could show up whilst they are in their 20's and 30's!
Diabetes is now the leading cause of death in Australia. In WA there are over 118,000 with diabetes - enough to fill the Domain Stadium in Subiaco four times over. Hospitals are having to care for people with diabetic complications - about 1 in every 4 hospital beds are required for this, so it will put a huge drain on our public spending.
If you want to know more about this condition contact Diabetes WA. Their website is www.diabeteswa.com.au or their phone number is 1300 136 588.
Thank you Deanne for a very enlightening talk.