Diabetes affects an estimated 1.2 million Australians. The complications of diabetes can be catastrophic including heart attacks, strokes, kidney damage, skin ulcers, blindness, limb amputations and erectile dysfunction. Diabetes and its complications costs Australians over 6 billion dollars a year!
Type 2 diabetes is however among the most preventable of all chronic diseases. Studies have shown that lifestyle modification, including dietary changes and exercise, can reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 58%. As the type 2 diabetes epidemic grows, it is even more important than ever to support people to adopt healthy lifestyles before they develop the disease that will stay with them for a lifetime.
Once a patient is diagnosed with diabetes, it is essential to control the blood glucose levels as much as possible as many of the complications of diabetes are preventable. For most patients, this will also require appropriate medication and regular medical review.
