Diabetic Living Australia

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DIABETES AUSTRALIA This is the national body for people living with all types of diabetes and those who are at risk. Committed to reducing the impact of diabetes, online you’ll find a wide range of helpful information about everything from medications to preventing complications. Plus, if you become a member, you’ll have access to an online community forum, member-only events and webinars and health professionals that are just a phone call away. Visit diabetesaustralia.com.au. THE NATIONAL DIABETES SERVICES SCHEME (NDSS) An initiative of the Australian Government that’s administered by Diabetes Australia, as well as providing diabetes information and resources, importantly, the NDSS also delivers support services and subsidised diabetes products. To register, visit ndss.com.au or call the NDSS Helpline on 1800 637 700. AUSTRALIAN DIABETES EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION (ADEA) Consulting with a credentialled…

“One of the diseases that seems to be increasing is diabetes.” No, this isn’t a recent press release, rather it’s a news item from the July 1933 edition of the Australian Women’s Weekly. Almost 90 years later, not much has changed. The latest report from Diabetes Australia, released on World Diabetes Day on November 14, says that the number of people living with diabetes could climb to more than 3.1 million by 2050, resulting in 2.5 million hospitalisations per year and costing Australia around $45 billion per annum. Also of great concern is the increase in the number of younger people (aged 39 or under) being diagnosed with diabetes, with more than 42,000 people in that age group living with type 2 diabetes. The good news is that you have taken…

DIABETES 101 Getting your head around “diabetes lingo”? Read on… • When should I test my blood glucose levels (BGLs)? This varies depending on the type of diabetes and your medication, but possible times include before meals, two hours after eating, before bed, before you exercise and if you’re feeling unwell. • What should my BGLs be? As a guide, if you have type 1 diabetes, a healthy target to aim for is 4-6mmol/L before you eat, and 4-8mmol/L two hours after starting a meal. If you have type 2 diabetes, aim for 6-8mmol/L before meals, and 6-10mmol/L two hours after starting a meal. Ask your doctor or Credentialled Diabetes Educator for more guidance. • What’s mmol/L? It stands for millimoles per litre of blood, and is how BGLs are measured. • What’s HbA1c? It’s…

THAT CHIRPY FEELING It turns out being surrounded by a few feathered friends really can put you in a chirpy mood. New research from King’s College London shows that hearing or simply seeing birds is associated with an improvement in mental wellbeing that can last for up to eight hours. While being in nature is well known for its mood-lifting effects, the study showed that the mental wellbeing birds delivered couldn’t be explained simply by the presence of other environmental factors, like trees, plants or waterways. The researchers responsible for the study say it supports the need for creating more spaces that harbour birdlife, but on an individual level, it simply reinforces the value of heading out onto your balcony, into the garden or a nearby park to keep an eye…

Q: I’ve had past foot issues, so I understand the importance of catching problems early. What should I pack as a ‘foot first aid kit’ when travelling overseas? Danielle says: There are things to consider before you travel to help prevent complications, especially if you’re at high risk of foot problems. How prepared you need to be depends on where you travel and what services and medical supplies are available, but the following are things to consider taking and doing. Pack more than one pair of comfortable shoes so they can be alternated especially if you develop painful areas or blisters, or to allow for different weather conditions. Avoid using/buying new shoes and products that you aren’t familiar with. Avoid going barefoot. Keep up daily foot routines, including washing, drying and…