Talking diabetes No.

42
Revised 2012

what is diabetes?
Diabetes is the name given to a group of different conditions in which there is
too much glucose (sugar) in the blood. The pancreas either cannot make insulin
or the insulin it does make is not enough and cannot work properly. Without
insulin doing its job, glucose builds up in the blood leading to high blood
glucose levels which can lead to complications.

Here is what happens

• The body needs a special sugar called glucose as its main source of fuel or energy.
The body gets glucose from foods containing carbohydrate such as breads, breakfast
cereals, rice, pasta, potatoes, milk, yoghurt and fruit.
• The glucose is carried around the body in the blood – the level should not go too high
or too low. When the glucose goes above a certain level, some has to move out of the
blood and into the body tissues to supply the energy the cells need to keep your body
working properly. Some glucose is also stored in the liver (like you would store food
items in the kitchen pantry) so that it can be used later if needed. When the glucose
level drops too low, some of the glucose stored in the liver is released into the blood
to bring the level back up again.
• Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas, a gland sitting just below the stomach.
Insulin is like a key that opens the “doors” (glucose channels) of the body cells and
allows the glucose to move from the blood into the cells where it can be used for
energy. This process is called glucose metabolism.
• In diabetes, the pancreas either cannot make insulin or the insulin it does make
cannot work properly.
• Without insulin doing its job, the glucose channels are shut. Glucose builds up in
the blood leading to high blood glucose levels which can lead to complications
from diabetes.

There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 is less

common usually affecting children and young adults but
it can occur at any age. Type 2 accounts for 85–90% of
all diabetes and can be affected by lifestyle choices. It
usually occurs in adults but younger people and even
children are now developing the condition.

Revised 2012 A diabetes information series from Diabetes State/Territory Organisations – Copyright© 2012
 what is diabetes?
Are there different types of diabetes?
There are two main types of diabetes – type 1 and type 2.

Type 1
This used to be called insulin dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes. However this
was confusing as many people with type 2 diabetes also need insulin to manage their
diabetes.
While type 1 diabetes can and does occur at any age, it’s usually diagnosed in children
and young adults. Type 1 diabetes is the less common form of diabetes, affecting just
10–15% of all people with diabetes.
In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin because the cells that
make the insulin have been destroyed by the body’s own immune system. This insulin
must be replaced. Therefore people with type 1 diabetes must have insulin every day to
live. At present insulin can only be given by injection or by infusion via an insulin pump,
but other methods of getting it may be possible in the future.

Who is most likely to develop type 1 diabetes?

We don’t yet know the exact cause of type 1 diabetes but we do know it has a family
link. However it can only occur when something such as a viral infection triggers the
immune system to destroy the insulin-making cells in the pancreas. This is called an
autoimmune reaction.
While the cause of type 1 diabetes has nothing to do with lifestyle, a healthy lifestyle is
very important in helping to manage the condition.

Can type 1 diabetes be prevented or cured?

While a great deal of research is being done, at this stage nothing can be done to
prevent or cure type 1 diabetes.

the aim
 Type 2
This used to be called non-insulin dependent diabetes or mature-age onset diabetes.
It is by far the most common form, occurring in 85–90% of all people with diabetes.
While adults are usually affected, more and more younger people, even children, are
now developing type 2 diabetes.
Lifestyle choices can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes. It is strongly
associated with high blood pressure, abnormal blood fats and the classic ‘apple shape’
body where there is extra weight around the waist.
People with type 2 diabetes are usually insulin resistant. This means that their
pancreas is making insulin but the insulin is not working as well as it should. The
pancreas responds by working harder to make more insulin. Eventually it can’t make
enough to keep the glucose balance right and blood glucose levels rise.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle may delay the need for tablets and/or insulin. However it
is important to know that if you do need tablets and/or insulin, this is just the natural
progression of the condition. By taking tablets and/or insulin as soon as they are needed,
the risk of developing complications caused by diabetes can be reduced.
Who is most likely to develop type 2 diabetes?
While there is no single cause for developing type 2 diabetes, there are well known risk
factors. Some of these can be changed and some cannot.
RISK FACTORS WHICH CANNOT BE CHANGED
People who are most likely to get type 2 diabetes often have these risk factors:
• A family history of diabetes
• Age – the risk increases as we get older
• Are from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background
• Are from ethnic backgrounds more likely to have type 2 diabetes such as Melanesian,
Polynesian, Chinese or people from the Indian sub-continent.
• Women who have:
> given birth to a child over 4.5kg (9lb) or had gestational diabetes when pregnant
> a condition known as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
RISK FACTORS WHICH CAN BE CHANGED
• Lifestyle • Weight
> level of physical activity • Blood pressure
> the type of food we eat • Cholesterol
• Smoking
Can type 2 diabetes be prevented?
People at risk of type 2 diabetes can delay and in some cases even prevent it by
following a healthy lifestyle. This includes regular physical activity, making healthy food
choices and achieving a healthier body weight, especially if they have been told that
they have risk factors for diabetes.
3

m is to get blood glucose levels as close to target as p

 What are the conditions linked to an increased risk of
type 2 diabetes?
Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) – often referred to
as pre-diabetes – are conditions in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal
but not yet high enough to diagnose diabetes. Another common condition linked to an
increased risk of type 2 diabetes is gestational diabetes.

1. Impaired Fasting Glucose

This condition is diagnosed when the fasting* blood glucose level (usually blood is
taken from the arm) is higher than normal but after a sweet drink containing 75 grams
of glucose (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test) the level is not high enough to be called
Impaired Glucose Tolerance or diabetes.

2. Impaired Glucose Tolerance

This condition is diagnosed when the results of an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test show a
blood glucose level of 7.8mmol/L to 11mmol/L two hours after having the sweet drink.

Who is most likely to get these conditions?

These conditions are most common in people who have a family history of type 2
diabetes, are inactive and overweight. People who carry excess weight around the
waist are at the greatest risk.

3. Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and usually resolves after the baby
is born. In pregnancy, the placenta makes hormones that help the baby to grow and
develop. Gestational diabetes occurs because these hormones also block the action of
the mother’s insulin. This is called insulin resistance.
The pregnant woman needs extra insulin so the glucose can get from the blood into the
cells where it is used for energy. When a woman is pregnant, she needs 2 or 3 times
more insulin than normal. If the body is unable to produce this extra insulin, diabetes
develops. When the pregnancy is over and the woman’s insulin needs return to normal,
the diabetes usually resolves but often returns later in life.

Who is most likely to get gestational diabetes?

From 5 to 11% of all pregnant women will develop gestational diabetes most commonly
around the 24th to 28th week of pregnancy. Those most at risk include women over 30
who have a family history of type 2 diabetes and are overweight. Women of Aboriginal
or Torres Strait Islander background are at increased risk as are women from certain
ethnic groups including Indian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Polynesian/
Melanesian and African women.
Refer to the Gestational Diabetes information sheet.
* Fasting means having nothing to eat or drink for eight hours before the test is done. Refer to the
Pre-diabetes information sheet.
4

possible
What are the main symptoms of diabetes?
In type 1 diabetes, symptoms are often sudden and can be life-threatening, therefore it
is usually diagnosed quite quickly. In type 2 diabetes, many people have no symptoms
at all, while other signs can go unnoticed because they are seen as part of ‘getting
older’. Therefore, by the time symptoms are noticed, complications of diabetes may
already be present.

Common symptoms include:

• Being more thirsty than usual • Going to the toilet more often, especially at night
• Feeling tired and lethargic • Always feeling hungry
• Having cuts that heal slowly • Itching, skin infections or rashes
• Blurred vision • Unexplained weight loss (type 1)
• Weight changes • Mood swings
• Headaches • Feeling dizzy
• Pain or tingling in the legs or feet

How is diabetes managed?

In type 1 and type 2 diabetes, the aim of diabetes management is to get your blood
glucose levels as close as possible to recommended target ranges.
For people with type 1 diabetes: insulin injections every day plus leading a
healthy lifestyle.
For people with type 2 diabetes: healthy eating and regular physical activity may be
all that is required at first, although adding tablets and/or insulin is commonly required
later on.
Keeping blood glucose levels as close to recommended target ranges as possible will
help prevent the short term effects of very low or very high blood glucose levels as
well as the possible long term complications from diabetes. These can affect the eyes,
kidneys and nerves. Refer to the Blood Glucose Monitoring information sheet.
Keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol within recommended ranges also helps to
prevent cardiovascular complications from diabetes like heart attack and stroke.

What blood glucose target ranges do I aim for?

Type 1 diabetes Type 2 diabetes
4–6mmol/L before meals
General blood glucose 6–8mmol/L before meals
Less than 10mmol/L after
target ranges 6–10mmol/L after meals*
meals*
* 2 hours after starting a meal.
It is recommended you talk to your doctor and diabetes care team about your individual
target ranges. 5
 what is diabetes?
Who will help?
A lifelong condition like diabetes is best managed with the support of a diabetes care
team, of which you are the most important member. Other members include your
doctor, credentialled diabetes educator, accredited practising dietitian and registered
podiatrist. Depending on your needs, the team may also include medical specialists,
accredited exercise physiologists and counsellors.
Your team will help you to learn all you need to know about your diabetes.
They will be there to support you and with their guidance you will soon become
confident about making day-to-day decisions for a fit and healthy life.

Basic guidelines for looking after your diabetes

There are many steps you can take to care for your diabetes. Here are some tips:
• Link up with the diabetes team in your area. In some cases, your doctor may need to
refer you.
• Test your blood glucose levels regularly.
• If you need diabetes medication always take it as prescribed by your doctor.
• If your doctor gives you tablets to help manage your diabetes, blood pressure and/or
cholesterol, be sure to take them as prescribed.
• Be as active as you can as often as possible.
• Follow a healthy eating plan.
• Achieve and maintain a healthier body weight and shape (refer to the Less Weight,
Healthier Shape information sheets).
• Keep a positive mental attitude.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help as soon as you feel you need it.

Would you like to join Australia’s leading diabetes organisation?

> Dietary services > Free magazines > Children’s services
> Educational literature > Product discounts > Support groups

For more information phone 1300 136 588 or visit your State/Territory Organisation’s website:
ACT www.diabetes-act.com.au NSW www.australiandiabetescouncil.com
NT www.healthylivingnt.org.au QLD www.diabetesqueensland.org.au
SA www.diabetessa.com.au TAS www.diabetestas.com.au
VIC www.diabetesvic.org.au WA www.diabeteswa.com.au

The design, content and production of this diabetes information sheet have been undertaken by:
> ACT Diabetes ACT > NSW Australian Diabetes Council
> NT Healthy Living NT > QLD Diabetes Australia – Queensland
> SA Diabetes SA > TAS Diabetes Tasmania
> VIC Diabetes Australia – Vic > WA Diabetes WA
The original medical and educational content of this information sheet has been reviewed by
the Health Care and Education Committee of Diabetes Australia Ltd. Photocopying this publication
in its original form is permitted for educational purposes only. Reproduction in any other form
by third parties is prohibited. For any matters relating to this information sheet, please contact
National Publications at [email protected] or phone 02 9527 1951.

Health professionals: For bulk copies of this resource, contact your Diabetes State/Territory Organisation as listed.
Revised 2012 A diabetes information series from Diabetes State/Territory Organisations – Copyright© 2012