Diabetes is a common condition in the Australian community. Approximately one quarter of Australians over the age of 25 years have diabetes or its precursor known as impaired glucose tolerance. Both these conditions increases one's risk of heart disease. Type 2 diabetes is by far the most common form of diabetes, accounting for 85-90% of all those diagnosed with diabetes mellitus.
Rates are increasing at alarming rates presumably due to the aging population and increased rates of obesity. Approximately 7.5% of Australians over the age of 25 years suffer from type 2 diabetes mellitus. Another 10% have a pre-diabetic condition called impaired glucose tolerance, and about a third of these patients will go on to develop overt diabetes within 10 years.
The incidence of type 2 Diabeties increases with age. Most patients develop the disease after 40 years of age. Overall, males and females seem to be equally affected. The incidence of type 2 Diabities differs throughout the world, probably due to environmental, genetic and behavioural factors. People with Indian, Pacific Islander or Australian Aboriginal heritage are at particularly high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Symptoms of Diabetes Type 2
Diabetes can be easily diagnosed if you present with the classic symptoms of:
Thirst
Passing urine often or waking at night several times to pass urine (nocturia).
Hunger
Gradual Weight Gain
Blurred Vision
Changes to your diet and exercise are the key in the management of type 2 diabetes. In fact, most people will notice an improvement in symptoms after just one month of lifestyle changes.
Some simple ideas include:
Eat healthy food, regularly spaced throughout the day - don't skip meals;
Reduce the amount of polyunsaturated fats in your diet. i.e soybean, canola and corn oil
Avoid refined carbohydrates and sugars
Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables
Reduce or eliminating alcohol from the diet
No comments:
Post a Comment