What is Diabetes & How can it be treated?
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterised by an increased amount of glucose in the blood.
Foods containing sugar are broken down to form glucose, the main source of energy for the body. Once in the blood stream the increased glucose levels stimulate the pancreas to release insulin which enables glucose uptake into cells. The blood glucose level then returns to normal.
Diabetes causes several effects: the body either produces too little insulin, no insulin at all, or the cells do not respond appropriately to the insulin that is produced. This means the body cannot utilise the glucose and it remains in the blood stream.
The first symptoms of diabetes is an excessive thirst, frequent passing of urine, fatigue, headaches and nausea. Children often appear listless and tetchy. However, many people do not recognise these symptoms and the disease goes undiagnosed. If left untreated diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney failure, limb amputation, heart disease and inevitably death.
There are three main types of diabetes
Type 1 - insulin dependant diabetes, most commonly found in young children and young adults. It is caused by destruction of the pancreatic cells which produce insulin. Daily injections of insulin are required for life.
Type 2 - non insulin dependent diabetes is more common, and is seen in older people, especially those who are overweight. This type of diabetes may run in families but is usually caused by lifestyle factors such as obesity and lack of exercise.
Gestational diabetes is a temporary diabetes that occurs during pregnancy
How can Revitalise help?
Jo can see your patients with diabetes privately and help them to optimise their diet, assist with weight loss (if required), educate on carbohydrate counting, insulin adjustment and understanding the role of oral and insulin medication. Jo is also a facilitator for the flexible dosing program FlexIT by Baker Heart and Diabetes Insititute - a 2 day course run at the Telethon Type 1 Family Centre in Osborne Park. It is a must for those on multi daily insulin injections. For more information on private and FlexIT sessions and to discuss you or your practice needs please call Jo on 0403 938 747 or email jo@revitalise.com.au.
