World Diabetes Day

 

Did you know about 422 million people worldwide have diabetes, and 1.5 million deaths are directly caused by diabetes each year?

 

The rate of people being diagnosed with a type of diabetes and number of deaths continue to steadily rise. 

In Australia, 280 people develop diabetes every day, that is one person every five minutes. Given those statistics, it’s likely that many CFA members are directly impacted by diabetes or indirectly through family, brigade members and colleagues.

World Diabetes Day is held on 14 November to raise global awareness, reaching over one billion people in over 160 countries. The campaign aims to:

• act as a platform to promote International Diabetes Federation advocacy efforts throughout the year
• act as a global driver to promote the importance of taking coordinated and concerted actions to confront diabetes as a critical global health issue.

This year's theme is 'Access to Diabetes Care' because millions of people with diabetes around the world do not have access to diabetes care and people with diabetes require ongoing care and support to manage their condition and avoid complications.

The 2023 campaign focuses on the prevention of type 2 diabetes and diabetes-related complications, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and treatment to prevent or delay potentially serious health outcomes.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition where there is too much glucose (blood sugar) in the blood and the body’s levels of the hormone insulin are either too low or are not used effectively. Glucose will then stay in your blood and won’t get into your cells. Over time, high glucose levels can damage nerves and blood vessels and can result in long-term health complications, significantly impacting day-to-day life.

Diabetes increases the risk of:

• damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart
• some types of cancer.

Types of diabetes

Type 1 diabetes

• Your body makes little or no insulin.
• Immune system attacks and destroys cells in the pancreas which is where insulin is made.
• Usually diagnosed in children and young adults, and can appear at any age.
• People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin daily.

Type 2 diabetes (most common type of diabetes)

• The cells in your body don’t use insulin properly.
• Pancreas may be making insulin but not enough to keep your blood glucose levels in the normal range.
• Most likely to develop type 2 diabetes from risk factors including:
  • overweight or obese
  • family history of type 2 diabetes
• Can develop at any age.

Gestational diabetes

• Develops during pregnancy, mostly goes away after giving birth.
• Have a higher chance of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

Prediabetes

• Blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
• Have a higher chance developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

Symptoms of diabetes

Type 1 diabetes: symptoms are sudden and can be life-threatening, and is usually diagnosed quickly.

Type 2 diabetes: many people don’t experience symptoms and it is seen as part of ageing. By the time symptoms are recognised, you may already be experiencing complications, which may include:

Being more thirsty than usual	Blurred vision
Passing more urine	Unexplained weight loss (type 1 or type 2 diabetes)
Feeling tired and lethargic	Gradually putting on weight (type 2 diabetes)
Always feeling hungry	Mood swings
Having cuts that heal slowly	Headaches
Itching, skin infections	Feeling dizzy
Urinary tract or fungal infections	Leg cramps

 

Diagnosis

Diabetes can only be diagnosed with a laboratory blood test ordered by your GP or nurse practitioner.

Diabetes can be self-managed and early diagnosis is key.

CFA Health Programs

Exercise helps insulin remove glucose from your blood stream, and healthy eating can help you maintain healthy glucose levels. CFA’s Health Services Team have curated several programs and resources that can help you manage your risk by helping form healthy habits, such as the Generalised Online Exercise Programs or the Healthy Eating Initiative. The Health Services Team also deliver the HealthWatch, Health Ready and Roadworthy for Life programs consisting of individual heart health checks for CFA volunteers and employees.

Diabetes can impact safety when performing some CFA roles. Anyone with diabetes should inform CFA of their condition so they can be appropriately supported in their CFA role. To learn more, visit the Medical Referral Program page on Members Online.

 

Submitted by	Madalene Cursio